Virginia Beach man advances on ‘The Voice,’ to join Jonas’ team
Julian Awari is normally pretty optimistic.
The Virginia Beach native said that changed the day he submitted his virtual audition for “The Voice” on NBC.
Because of the pandemic, he was about to back out minutes before submitting his clip. He was having allergy issues, and couldn’t find work.
“I was in a hard place at that time,” said Awari, 35, who had just gotten out of the Air Force after 4½ years, and was taking care of his retired mom and his two children. He pushed on anyway and submitted a clip of his singing “Amazing Grace.”
About an hour later, he received an email asking for a callback.
“I was literally on my phone looking for a place to live,” he said. “I was just not having the greatest day. I was just really shocked that it happened so fast.”
Eventually, he was asked to be on the show, and made his debut Monday night, taking viewers back to 1992 with the R&B classic “Weak” by SWV.
The performance earned him a turn from not one, but two coaches — first Kelly Clarkson, then Nick Jonas. Per usual, the coaches had the chance to sing his praises, tempting him to join their teams.
Calling his performance phenomenal, Jonas said his creative juices already were flowing.
“I am just thinking through all the fun we could have dipping into the classic R&B, soul stuff,” Jonas said to Awari. “I’m actually making an album now that’s got a lot of those same influences. I’d love to just make a lot of noise with you, man.”
Jonas also pointed out that while Clarkson has won with her picks, “I have not, which actually, I think, gives me a healthy chip on my shoulder to work extra hard to help get you to the finale,” Jonas said.
Shortly after, Clarkson complimented him on his song selection and style.
“I loved your runs,” she said. “You weren’t trying too hard. It was just very emotional.”
The singer weighed his options, and ultimately chose to become a Jo Bro — joining Jonas’ team.
The decision was “extremely hard,” he said.
“Kelly is a legend with these shows and her experience, but one thing about Nick that really got my attention was he painted a clear picture of what he wanted to do with me as an artist on his team,” Awari said.
There’s value in working with all the coaches, including John Legend — since they’re both R&B singers, Awari said.
Legend couldn’t turn for him because his team was full, but said Awari sounded “so good.”
He also gave Hampton Roads a little shout out and said “The 757 when Awari announced his hometown.
Awari, who grew up near Rosemont Road, has been singing since he was at least 6. His grandmother would play the piano and teach him. During his first talent show, he danced to La Bouche’s “Sweet Dreams.” His friend asked him to join her and perform.
“I got all the compliments to the point where she got upset with me,” laughed Awari, who went on to have quite a few experiences performing live.
He previously sang at an Air Force ball, and sang the National Anthem for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.
Now, he hopes to become a working musician, and auditioned for the show because it can help him grow as an artist and people encouraged him to give it a try.
“I felt like ‘The Voice’ was a great opportunity to work with coaches and expand my abilities as an artist,” he said about the competition.
Inspired by homegrown talent such as Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes, Awari said he hopes to sing different genres.
Above all else, Awari said he does everything for his children.
“They are the driving force behind everything I do right now,” he said on the show. “I want to show my kids that daddy is determined. It’s a sacrifice that I’m making for my family to give us a better life. I really want the best for them.”
“The Voice” airs at 8 p.m. Mondays.