Janice Freeman on picking Miley Cyrus as her 'The Voice' coach: I want to be uncomfortable every day

Janice Freeman is currently a contestant on The Voice's thirteenth season on NBC.


Janice is a 32-year-old single mom and cervical-cancer survivor from Compton, CA, who sang "Radioactive" for her Blind Audition and got both Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus to turn around.

Although it seemed like Janice was going to join Jennifer's team, she opted to have Miley as her coach so that she could really grow as an artist.

During a conference call with reporters that took place after her audition aired on TV, Janice was asked why she joined "Team Miley."

"I figured that would probably be everyone's thought," Janice admitted. "But the thing was me, the kind of person I am, the kind of artist that I try to live every day is being transparent, is being uncomfortable."


Miley is known for being the more unpredictable and wild coach, compared to Jennifer, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine. Miley, who is completely unconventional, loves to push boundaries and take risks when it comes to style, song selection and social norms.

"In this world, we live uncomfortable enough, but it's in the uncomfortableness that we grow. You know, you learn about yourself," Janice explained.

"You learn what's for you, what's not for you. And I usually don't like to be in a safe world or try to live under stereotypes as well."

Janice went on to say, "As I stated, I'm pretty sure a lot of people assumed that I would go with Jennifer Hudson because of who she is and she's amazing -- an amazing artist, amazing woman. But Miley, I felt, would be that uncomfortable area, stepping outside of a box or even living as if there is no box."

Janice apparently wants to surprise herself and others during her journey on The Voice this fall.


Janice said that by choosing Miley, she'd allow herself to grow and "feel things" about herself that she probably wouldn't have experienced had she gone with Jennifer as her coach.

"That's no slight on [Jennifer] at all, but I believe it depends on, you know, the person and the audience, and I believe [Miley] can open up a whole other side, a whole another genre and perspective for me," Janice said. "So it was very -- it was hard, but it was a strategic move, and I'm glad I made that move."

Janice will be moving on to The Voice's famous "The Battle Round" along with the other contestants who survived their Blind Auditions. The Battles begin Monday, October 16 at 8PM ET/PT on NBC.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski