NYCHA Resident Was a Shining Star on The Voice
Sixteen-year-old NYCHA resident ChrisDeo went from busking on New York City streets to singing on the stage of NBC’s “The Voice” to more than five million viewers nationwide. ChrisDeo was a fan favorite; although she was eliminated from the show on episode 14, she wowed America with her charisma and voice.
On the premier episode of season 26 of “The Voice,” ChrisDeo sang “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz during the “blind auditions,” where the celebrity judges’ chairs face away from the performers (so they can only hear the voices of the contestants). Rapper Snoop Dogg was the first to turn his chair around in support of ChrisDeo, followed by singer Michael Bublé. Ultimately, she chose to work with Snoop Dogg as her coach.
ChrisDeo said being on Snoop Dogg’s team was an incredible experience; he inspired her because he also grew up in a low-income neighborhood: “Snoop brings a unique vibe and a wealth of knowledge to the table. His laid-back yet focused approach helps you stay calm and confident while pushing you to give your best performance. Plus, his energy is infectious, and he knows how to make the whole process fun and memorable. It feels like being part of a family, where everyone supports each other and strives to grow together.”
ChrisDeo lives in Queens with her mother Kumarie Francis and sisters. She’s a first-generation American; her mother is originally from Trinidad and Tobago and her father is from Guyana. As a single mother, Ms. Francis is always looking for opportunities to support her daughters’ interests. In 2016, she enrolled ChrisDeo and her sister in the NYCHA Youth Chorus. ChrisDeo said it was an experience that helped her grow as a singer and performer, and introduced her to instruments. “It gave me my first opportunities to sing in front of live audiences, like at the Apollo, and taught me how to develop my voice,” she said. “Plus, it was a great way to connect with others who shared my passion for music. Those experiences really shaped my journey and brought me to where I am today.”
Ms. Francis agrees: “I believe that the NYCHA Youth Choir was the musical seed that was planted early in my daughter’s life that has blossomed, bloomed, and transformed her into the humble starlet she is today.”
In addition to busking, before competing in “The Voice,” ChrisDeo completed a program for low-income high school students at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU, where she learned how to produce and record her own music.
Although she was eliminated from the show, the opportunity was a big break, introducing her to many new fans and the music industry.
“Getting the opportunity to sing on the biggest stage in the world to these famous icons I’ve looked up to my whole life felt nerve-wracking, but it also taught me a lot about bravery and taking risks,” ChrisDeo said. “There were times when I doubted myself and wondered if someone like me, a busker from the projects, was even good enough. But every challenge and every moment of self-doubt made me stronger. It reminded me that no matter where you start, with passion and perseverance you can achieve your dreams.”
For her mother, watching ChrisDeo performing on “The Voice” stage was a dream come true as a parent: “It proves that anything in life is possible no matter who you are or where you come from. I’m so proud for my daughter and for the courage, poise, and bravery she displayed as she performed for a worldwide audience. I can still remember Snoop Dogg saying, ‘When I heard the first note, I knew to turn my chair’ and Gwen Stefani saying, ‘Your voice sounded like a diamond in the rough.’ This opportunity and those words will stay with ChrisDeo and I forever. She has made our family and our community so very proud. Competing on The Voice was a significant step in ChrisDeo’s musical journey, and she promises that there is so much more to come!”