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Seventeen-year-old Allegra Miles has emerged as one of the front-runners on Season 18 of The Voice. During her blind audition, the St. John native performed her rendition of “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon, catching the attention of coaches Nick Jonas and Kelly Clarkson. That performance, which now has over five million views on YouTube, showed off Allegra’s musicianship and innate ability to connect with a song and make it her own. From there, she’s continued to soar, winning her battle and knockout rounds. Pop Culturalist caught up with Allegra as she prepares to get ready for the live shows.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Allegra: My whole family has always been musical. I’ve grown up surrounded by music, which I’m so grateful for. At six or seven, I knew that I definitely wanted to do it. Then I started gigging and performing a lot more when I was fourteen or fifteen.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Allegra: Definitely my family, specifically my mom. I’ve grown up singing and learning from her. She inspires me a lot. As far as other artists, my parents raised me on Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, and Bob Marley. Nowadays, artists like Mac Ayres, Daniel Caesar, and H.E.R. are the types of artists that inspire me.

PC: Heading into your blind audition, did you know you were going to pick Nick [Jonas] as your coach? What made him stand out?
Allegra: Honestly, he wasn’t my first choice going into it. Of course, they’re all amazing, and I would be happy with any of them, but my first choice was John [Legend] and then Kelly [Clarkson]. Music-wise, I feel like I connect with them more. But when Nick and Kelly turned around, I felt a stronger connection with Nick. I felt like I would be able to learn more from him. This is his first season and I feel like he has a fresh perspective. Plus, he understands starting off your career at a young age.

PC: What’s been the best piece of advice he’s given you?
Allegra: He’s given me a lot of great advice. During the knockout rounds, he and James Taylor both told me not to forget eye contact. I was connecting with the song, but I wasn’t thinking about specifically looking into the audience and seeing their faces.

One of the things Nick told me he does when he’s performing on his stadium tours with his brothers is he picks out six specific people in the audience and he looks right at them. It’s a reference point. He sings right to them, and then he picks another six people. So it feels specific and not just vaguely looking into darkness.

That was a really great lesson. I use that when I perform, and it’s helped a lot.

PC: You’ve set yourself up as a front-runner in this competition. Does that bring any pressure heading into the live shows?
Allegra: I don’t know. What’s interesting now is that it’s in America’s hands. It’s not in our coaches’ hands or our own. We have to try to get people to vote and spread the word. I don’t feel like it’s pressure. All of us are excited and grateful that the live shows are still happening and we’re still able to do it. We’ll have to see what America thinks!

PC: We’re only a couple of performances in, but which has been your favorite? Which has been the most challenging?
Allegra: I have to say my favorite was my battle with Michael [Williams]. That process was so much fun. It was collaborative and we worked together so well. It was a joy.

The most challenging I would say—not necessarily singing or preparing—but was definitely the blinds. I was so nervous. It was very difficult. Right before I was about to go on, I was like, “I don’t know if I can physically do this, because I’m terrified.” But yeah, I would say the blinds because it was really scary. But it was fun too!

PC: Michael actually gave that same answer.
Allegra: Oh cool!

Photo Credit: Tyler Golden/NBC

PC: It was announced earlier this year that the live shows will take place from home. How has that changed the coaching experience? How are you preparing?
Allegra: It’s really interesting because The Voice has never done this. No one’s really done this. Idol had their show, which I thought was amazing and cool. But of course, this is going to be different from that too. It’s a brand-new thing for everyone involved on the show and all the different departments. It’s been a learning curve for everyone, but we’ve learned so much, and it’s a crazy, cool experience. All the different departments have been adapting and making it happen. I think for people watching, it’s going to be a lot different, but I also feel like it’s going to be more intimate. It’s going to create more of a connection with people because everyone’s at home and we are too! We’re all in the same boat.

PC: What’s been the biggest takeaway from this experience thus far?
Allegra: I’ve really learned to get out of my own head. I’m an overthinker. I get in my head a lot about everything but especially with music because it’s my everything. I’m so much more critical. It’s important to be critical and challenge yourself but not to the point of sabotaging yourself. I’ve learned from Nick and the different vocal coaches that I have to let myself be me—give myself the freedom to do what I do and not let my mind get in the way. I’ve learned to be free.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artists that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Allegra: Surprised? I have some. I like all different types of music as many people do. I have some Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper. Some people might not expect that! I like rap with R&B undertones.

PC: First album you bought?
Allegra: It was probably Jessie J or Katy Perry when I was seven or eight.

PC: First concert you attended?
Allegra: It was Shawn Mendes this past July. It was incredible because he really exemplifies the connection. It was an enormous stadium, but he connected with everyone there. It felt like the whole room was united for the two or three hours. That’s what music is all about. It really inspired me.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Allegra: I’d say Thirdstory. They only have one album, and I think they may have broken up, which is really sad. But their album Cold Heart, I would one thousand percent recommend listening to it. They released it a few years ago, and I feel like I’ve never listened to any music that I’ve felt as deeply connected to. They spoke the words of my soul that I’ve never been able to articulate.

Musically and lyrically the way they combined that is unreal. I listen to it all the time because it understands me. I’m getting chills just talking about it.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Allegra: I’m going out on a limb and I’ll say Madison Square Garden. That would be crazy. Obviously not any time soon but maybe someday. That’s a reach, but it would be a dream. My mom’s from New York, and I have a lot of family there. I’ve always loved New York. It would have so much more meaning.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Allegra: Good snacks.

To keep up with Allegra, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Photo Credit: Trae Patton/NBC