Health & Fitness
"The Voice" of Long Island Wins Over Aguliera
Long Island is being well represented in NBC's reality singing competition "The Voice," by 16-year-old Raquel Castro.
Long Island is being well represented on NBC's newest reality singing competition "The Voice."
Raquel Castro, 16, from Port Jefferson Station, wowed audiences with her version of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," even winning over judge Christina Aguliera in the blind audition round.
The premise of "The Voice" is simple once you actually figure it out. Four judges -- Aguiliera, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine -- chose contestants to coach throughout the competition based solely on their voice (during the blind audition round the judges sit with their back to the singers). Aguiliera quickly snatched up Castro for her team, who despite her 4-foot-11 stature, has a very big voice.
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A junior at St. Anthony's High School, Castro is the youngest contestant to battle it out for a recording contract and $100,000 grand prize.
But Castro isn't new to showbiz. At 10-years-old she starred in the movie "Jersey Girl," along with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and has appeared in a handful of other television shows and movies.
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The former cheerleader is a true triple threat, winning several dance competitions with Michelle Ferraro's Dance USA in Coram, Long Island, which boasts "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 1 finalist Craig DeRosa as an instructor.
But in order to perform live for America in June, Castro must first pass the Battle Round. During this stage, two contestants from each team are pitted together for a place in the final group. Only four people from each team will make it to the live show.
"The Voice" airs on NBC on Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
For more coverage of "The Voice" check out Too Much To Tivo.
