Central Pa. singer tries to make her dreams come true on ‘The Voice’: ‘I just need to do my best’

Aubrey Nicole, a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Adams County, is steadily advancing toward her country music aspirations by earning a spot on NBC’s “The Voice.”

She’s even moving legendary country star Reba McEntire to tears.

On Oct.7, Nicole’s blind audition, which featured her performance of “Burning House” by Cam, aired. Halfway through her audition, it was clear she had impressed McEntire.

“I was singing through the song, and I peeked over for a second, and I saw her turning around, which was already insane,” Nicole said. “But once I saw her crying, that was awesome. I feel like, for me as an artist, what I hold to be the most important thing about singing is being able to convey what you’re singing and touch people’s hearts.”

“It was so validating,” she added.

The Adams County native has been singing since she was a young child, growing up immersed in music with her family. She participated in school musicals, performed at the National Apple Harvest Festival in Bigerville, and competed in talent shows.

Nicole said being a singer is something she has always wanted to do.

“I have grown up always knowing that I wanted to be a singer,” she said. “There isn’t a definitive moment where I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what I want to do.’ It’s always just been that way as long as I can remember.”

In addition to wanting to become the next big country music star, Nicole is also working on getting a Bachelor’s degree in songwriting at Belmont University, located in Nashville, Tennessee.

While working on both goals isn’t easy, Nicole said her professors are quite understanding since she attends a school with a focus on the performing arts.

“I’m just navigating school and the show,” she said. “I’m definitely busy and it’s a lot to handle, but it’s worth it. I’m glad a lot of my teachers have been super accommodating.”

On Oct. 14, Nicole performed her first battle with fellow Team Reba partner, Cori Kennedy. The duo sang “Something’s Bad,” by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Nicole didn’t win the battle, but she isn’t headed home just yet.

“After the performance, I thought to myself, I think I did a really good job,” she said. “If I don’t get a save or steal, then at least I go home with my head held high.

“So she announces Cori’s a winner. And I’m just excited because I loved my battle partner. She’s the sweetest person ever. She’s so funny. … And then Carson (Daly), the host, was like, ‘So, is there anything you want to say to your coach?’ And for a second, I was like, ‘Oh, shoot. I might go home’.”

But before she could get out a sentence, McEntire had pressed the save button. And another “Voice” coach, rapper Snoop Dogg, pressed the button to steal her, which would have brung her onto his team.

“I was like, Oh my gosh, they made me pick my partner [for the battle], and now I gotta pick my coach too,” Nicole said.

Ultimately, she chose McEntire, as she said her advice “really hits the nail.”

Nicole is also receiving a lot of support from those back home in Pennsylvania.

Ripleigh’s Creamery in McSherrystown, where Nicole used to work, has been posting clips of her singing in the shop and adamantly talking about her success over the past two weeks. Laura Maring, co-owner of the shop, said this opportunity is “deserved” for the 20-year-old.

“She absolutely deserves it; she has an amazing voice,” Maring said. “Aubrey has a fantastic character, is incredibly kind, and deserves this more than anybody.”

Nicole will now compete in the knock-offs, where she will face her teammates, each singing different songs to keep their spots.

“I’m excited,” Nicole said. “No matter how far I go on the show, I feel like I just need to do my best. And so whatever happens, I’m just totally happy with it. I’m just happy to be here.”

“The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC and Peacock.