This is “The Voice”: Simone Marijic’s Hollywood journey

Charlotte Oleson / V Mag at UVA

Third-year College student Simone Marijic never intended to audition for “The Voice.” It wasn’t until she received an email for open auditions that she discovered her sister had secretly entered her in the draw. 

Marijic, a Los Angeles, California native, said her first musical triumph was joining her church choir in kindergarten, where she could finally sing alongside her older sisters. At age 14, she began taking voice lessons that focused on classical training until she eventually shifted toward a contemporary style. She was also active in musical theater and had the opportunity to perform with the National Children's Chorus, a Grammy-award winning youth organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marijic focused on her songwriting, recording herself and posting videos on Instagram.

The University became a defining chapter in Marijic’s musical journey, offering new experiences that shaped her sound. A key part of that path was joining The Virginia Belles, one of the University’s all-female a cappella groups.

Performing with The Virginia Belles provided Marijic both a musical outlet and a community of support. The group’s collective love for music and performance helped push Marijic out of her comfort zone and encouraged her to find her voice, preparing her for the biggest stage of her life.

“I don't think I could have done it without them, honestly,” Marijic said. “They helped me so much.”

Marijic’s journey to “The Voice” started with a little push from sister and a one-minute video of her singing Sara Bareilles’ ballad “Gravity” that earned her a callback, where she was asked to submit three full-length covers.While keeping her audition a secret in disbelief it could go anywhere, she asked her friends to help pick her submissions.

“Right before I went on stage for my blind audition, my sisters were like, ‘Pretend it's like a Belles concert,’ because that’s when I feel the most free as a performer,” Marijic said.

Ultimately, Marijic submitted recordings of herself singing “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, “River” by Joni Mitchell and “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. Then she made it to the next step, where she had a quick Zoom interview with the producers and filled out an application about her personality, family, interests and love life.

“I had no idea they would actually consider these things,” Marijic said. “It is a reality TV show, so they're looking for characters at the end of the day.”

On Feb. 17, 2024, she got the phone call that she made it to the national stage. She had made it to the blind auditions.

The following May, Marijic was back in her hometown — this time sequestered in a hotel with 90 other contestants ranging in age from 14 to 65. The days were filled with rehearsals, wardrobe fittings and bonding over late-night jam sessions in preparation for the blind auditions. After a short break, the contestants returned for 10 days of interviews, stage rehearsals and the start of the blind auditions. Although contestants could request songs for their blind auditions, the producers held the final say.

“They have definitely had an idea for us on what they want us to come across as, and what they want us to sing,” Marijic said. “So, that was something we had to grapple with for sure.” 

With her ethereal voice, Marijic performed Olivia Rodrigo’s “favorite crime” for her blind audition. She recalls it as her most tumultuous performance, saying she momentarily lost track of the music and got ahead of the band. Even with imperfections, both Kelsea Ballerini and Michael Bublé turned their chairs. Marijic ultimately chose to join Ballerini’s team.

“I am craving on my team a voice that is pure,” said Ballerini, a Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter and first-season coach, after hearing Marijic’s audition. “I don’t have that yet, and you opened your beautiful angel mouth and I was like, there she is.”

Marijic described working with Ballerini as a highly positive experience. Despite their limited rehearsal time together, Marijic felt a genuine connection, calling Ballerini a “girl's girl.” She said the rehearsal taught her to never forget what she’s singing about in order to add honesty and impact to her performances.

In the following “battle” stage, Marijic ’s Battle competed against her teammate and friend, Iris Herrera, as they performed the pop hit “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine. At the end of the performance, Bublé stole Marijic after Ballerini picked Herrera to move on.

“It helped and hurt that I was so close with Iris, because obviously you don't want to lose, but you don't want to see your friend lose, so you just really just pray that both of you go through, which, luckily was the case,” Marijic said.

Now part of Team Bublé, Marijic prepared for the knockout round with a performance of “She Used to Be Mine” from the musical “Waitress.” 

“[Bublé] “has a heart of gold,” Marijic said. “[He] feels as though my greatest strength is that I know who I am, and I know my identity as a musician and as an artist. It's really helped me with my confidence.”

Although Marijic did not win the knockout, she considers it her favorite performance. 

“I think it just felt the most authentic to me, and I felt as if I was really able to connect with the song, and just I kind of drowned out all of the external pressure,” Marijic said.

The reaction to her journey has been overwhelmingly positive, Marijic said, with strong support from the University — including President Jim Ryan, The Virginia Belles and many friends and family members.

“I'm very lucky that I got the chance to represent U.Va. and Charlottesville, because it's such a special place,” Marijic said. “It still feels like the journey is not over yet, which is amazing.”

Marijic’s musical journey is far from over. She recently released a single titled “Until the Morning Dew Arrives.” Her debut EP, “The Hearkening,” is set to release April 30, 2025.