The Voice: Post Battle-Rounds: Interview with Judith Hill of Team Adam

Judith Hill went head-to-head with Karina Iglesias during Monday night’s battle rounds on The Voice. The two wowed the judges and viewers with “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” – coming out on stage and giving each other a pre-battle bow of respect. Their singing didn’t give Adam Levine an easy choice, but in the end, he went with Judith Hill. We spoke with her via conference call to get some details about her thoughts post-battle. Follow her on Twitter: @judith_hill.

Judith, is the format of the battle rounds easier for you since you’re used to singing duets, or is it more of a challenge?

It was more of a challenge because I had to really step up and push myself to sing that song. And because there is more of a competitive aspect to the show, it’s more of a challenge and I think that I had to really you know, get more – step out of my comfort zone. So that was hard for me, but I’m glad I did it and I learned a lot from it.

I thought your battle was really fantastic. I loved the Karate Bow. Did the two of you expect that the battle would be that epic? And did you both think that you’d probably both be safe regardless of the outcome?

I mean, Karina’s an incredible singer and I had such a blast singing that song with her. It was a challenge for me. To be honest; I had to really work on things to sing that song and I was intimidated by the song as well. But once we got on stage, it just – it was just magical and I just loved – I had so much [fun] and I’m so happy that we’re both on the show. And so yes, that was so exciting to me.

As the judges have sort of all acknowledged – your talent and the fact that you were one of the front runners coming into this. Do you think that that helped you or hurt you when it came to the battle?

Yes. It kind of – they kind of set me up a little bit. I had – I was nervous because… they kind of made the expectation a little bit high for my own good, and I kind of felt like I was already sort of coming into the song a little insecure and I didn’t know if I could sing it. So having them feel like I was sort of a front-runner was stressful. So, I just had to work harder and really make it the best… just do the best I can and not worry about the expectations.

Can you talk about what you think Adam can teach you? I mean, you’ve had such great mentors in the past like Michael Jackson. What do you think Adam can teach you?

Adam’s just a great coach because he really understands top music and has some really, really unique and bright ideas about how to you know take Soul singing and put it into like a Pop context. And so, I’m really, really having a blast working with him and taking his suggestions of how I could sing this song a little differently, or make it more you know exciting for people. He’s got some good just overall advice about how to like carry yourself, and staging, and all of these things. So he was just a great coach and I’ve learned so much from him already, and I look forward to learning more from him.

What is the inspiration behind your music?

I think as an artist, the most important thing that I want to do is to bring hope and inspiration to people and just touch the soul. And I think that that’s what drives me. That’s what – that’s why I do it, and that’s what makes me feel alive is when I sing. I feel like kind of off-beat. I’m a little bit of a shy person, but when I get on stage I’m able to express myself and connect with people, and there’s nothing more exciting and amazing than sort of like having an emotional connection with people and your fans, and somehow encouraging them and it gives them hope for the day.

What do you hope to accomplish now that you’ve made it out of the battle rounds and what can we expect from you?

I hope to do just that. I really – I’m looking forward to singing songs on the show… in a more personal level. I’m ready to really kind of sing from another place in my heart, so that’s what I’m excited about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yWFz7ZXhuU