Glen Cove native Shye secured a remarkable second-place finish on this season’s NBC singing competition “The Voice,” as fellow Team Michael bublé member Sofronio Vasquez was crowned the champion.
Expressing her delight on Instagram Stories, Shye proudly declared, “Congrats @sofroniovasquez! I love you, winner!” In a subsequent post, she revealed her heartfelt desire for the runner-up spot, stating, “I wanted second place so badly, and I’m incredibly happy right now.”
Speaking with Newsday from Los Angeles, Shye revealed a surprising truth: she actively campaigned for Vasquez to win.
“I genuinely wanted to be second. I felt that Sofronio, now a close friend, deserved it more than anyone else. There’s immense pressure that comes with being the top finalist, and I didn’t feel it aligned with my aspirations, particularly concerning the recording contract,” she explained, referencing the prize package that has drawn criticism from former ”Voice” coaches like Blake Shelton and Adam Levine, as well as some past winners, for its restrictive nature.
Shye’s stance on the matter was unwavering.
“Absolutely,” she affirmed, “I openly told all my friends, ‘Vote for Sofronio, not me. I don’t want first place.’ Anyone on our team will tell you I said the same. I was like,’If I don’t get second,I’ll be heartbroken.'”
during Tuesday’s live results show, which followed Monday’s final performances, Shye shared the stage with Bublé for a moving duet of “Somethin’ Stupid,” a classic hit immortalized by frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy.
bublé shared his heartfelt reasoning for selecting the song: “I’ve always found it incredibly touching to watch them sing it together. I wanted to connect with you on something equally sweet.”
Just before announcing the winner, Bublé offered Shye words of encouragement and support. “These are not our final words,” he declared. “No matter what happens, we’ll share manny more as we move forward together.I will cherish watching you create beautiful music. You possess an exceptional gift, and I couldn’t be happier for you in this moment.”
Born Madison Roberts, Shye honed her musical talents in Glen Cove, progressing from Landing Elementary School to Robert Finley Middle School and Glen cove High School. She delighted audiences with her vocal prowess and starred in school productions of “In the Heights,” “Miss Saigon,” and other musicals. In her final year, her family relocated to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she transferred to the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts and ultimately graduated this year.
Throughout her high school career, Shye consistently earned recognition for her musical abilities, securing a coveted spot on the Nassau Music Educators Association’s All-County musician roster on multiple occasions. In 2022, her talent shone brightly as she won the Hauppauge-based LGBT Network’s annual LGBT Got Big Talent competition.
- How has Shye’s diverse musical background influenced her career after “The Voice”?
Title: Insights from Shye: The Journey of a Rising Star from Glen Cove to NBC’s “The Voice” Runner-Up
Q: Thank you for joining us, Shye. First off,congratulations on your remarkable second-place finish on “The voice.” How dose it feel to be recognized at such a prestigious level?
Shye: Thank you so much! It feels surreal. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received throughout this journey. even though I didn’t win, I’m thrilled with my experience and the connections I made, especially with my fellow contestant, Sofronio Vasquez.
Q: You’ve mentioned that you actually campaigned for Sofronio to win. That’s quite unique—what motivated that decision?
Shye: I genuinely felt that Sofronio deserved it more than anyone. The pressure of being a champion is immense, and I knew it might not align with my goals, especially in relation to the recording contract. I wanted to take a step back and focus on what made me truly happy. I even told my friends and family to vote for him instead of me!
Q: That’s an engaging perspective in the competitive music industry, where winning often leads to immediate opportunities. How do you feel about the prize structure on “The Voice”?
shye: there’s been a lot of discussion around the prize package, and I can understand why. While winning can open many doors, I think it’s vital for artists to find a path that genuinely fits their aspirations. I’d much rather focus on authenticity and collaboration rather than the pressures that come with being the winner.
Q: Speaking of authenticity, during the live results show, you performed “Somethin’ Stupid” with Michael Bublé.How was that experience for you?
Shye: It was incredible! Michael Bublé has such a warm energy and a deep connection to music. Singing that classic song with him was a beautiful moment that I’ll cherish forever. His encouragement reminded me to keep creating and to cherish my unique musical journey.
Q: You’ve had a diverse musical background, from school productions to competitive singing. How have these experiences shaped your artistry?
Shye: Every experience has been vital in shaping who I am as an artist.Performing in musicals like “In the Heights” and ”Miss Saigon” taught me a lot about expressing emotions thru music. Additionally, participating in competitions, like the LGBT got Big Talent competition, helped me gain confidence and discover my unique sound.
Q: Looking ahead, what practical advice woudl you give to aspiring musicians who look up to you?
Shye: Stay true to yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or what others expect, but authenticity resonates with audiences. Focus on building your craft, seeking collaborations, and finding what makes you unique. Also, embrace the experiences—every performance, win or lose, is a stepping stone in your journey.
Q: How do you plan to build on your “Voice” experience moving forward?
Shye: I want to keep creating music that reflects who I am, exploring new genres and styles. I’ll also focus on collaborating with fellow musicians,like Sofronio,because I believe there’s so much beauty in collaboration. My time on “The Voice” has taught me that the journey is just as important as the destination.
Q: Thank you,Shye,for sharing your insights today. We look forward to seeing where your music journey takes you next!
Shye: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to share more of my music with everyone. Stay tuned!