Season 27 “The Voice” alum Nell Simmons is finally ready to release her first album, more than 20 years after she first began recording it. That may seem like a long stretch between starting something and putting it out into the world. Simmons insists she had other commitments. She survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005, became a mother, and got married. However, she never lost her passion for music and decided the time was right to release her debut album.
NBCUniversalSimmons Reveals Why She Almost Turned Down ‘The Voice’ Audition
Simmons’ determination to create new music to complete her long-gestating album began in 2017, when Trombone Shorty asked her to record background vocals for his album “Parking Lot Symphony.” She followed that up by touring with him. When “The Voice” producers reached out to ask her to be on the show, she admitted that she was hesitant.
“I wasn’t initially interested because I was like, ‘I don’t have time to do this,'” she told “USA Today.” “I’m touring already. I also have a home life.”
With her husband’s support, she auditioned. While she was originally slated for Season 26, technical problems with her audition tape forced her to wait until Season 27. Any doubts she had about being on the show melted away after she sang Diana Ross’s “Love Hangover.” John Legend turned his chair.
“I didn’t want to look at anyone,” she said. “I tour a lot. I’m on stages. But in that moment it happened, it was like, ‘I’m getting these butterflies again.'”
She was a fan of Michael Bublé, Kelsea Ballerini, Adam Levine, and Legend, but was thrilled to end up on Team Legend. Her only regret was losing to Renzo in the knockout rounds. Despite not getting to work with Legend longer, she said that they follow each other on social media and keep in touch that way.
NBCUniversalFind Your Safe Space: Nell Simmons Hopes ‘Therapy’ Inspires Listener Growth
One of the singles from her album is called “Therapy,” which holds a deeply personal meaning for her. She hopes it motivates listeners to “grow, heal, talk to a therapist, get a new scenery, find a new safe space.”
Therapy has been incredibly helpful in Simmons’ life, which inspired the song. “I’ve had a lot of personal things that have taken place, losing loved ones and things like that earlier in their lives,” she said.
“This album’s going to speak to all forms of therapy as well,” she added. “The music itself: love, heartbreak, loss, life, it’s all going to be a part of this project.”
