‘The Voice’ Star Pia Renee Reacts to Being Compared to Whitney Houston
Tyler Golden/NBC Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Voice Season 20 contestant Pia Renee received a huge compliment after her Knockout performance on Team Legend. Coach Nick Jonas compared her to none other than music legend Whitney Houston.
Jonas said that if he closed his eyes, he would think he was listening to Houston. In a new video interview with People, Renee reacts to this comparison, saying she got emotional over the coach’s comment.
Pia Renee Reacts to Whitney Houston Comparison
“I immediately started crying,” Renee told People of her response to the comparison. “I don’t think y’all saw that, but I immediately cried, because I have studied Whitney all my life.”
Renee added that she’s struggled with “crippling insecurity,” as well as vocal injuries that have required speech therapy. She said she was “still undone” from hearing that compliment, considering all the work she’s put into getting where she is now.
Renee said that “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” which she performed during the Knockouts, is one of her favorite songs she’s performed on the show so far. She said it shows “what I’m capable of as a professional.”
The singer also shared what coach John Legend has taught her. She said she watches what he does even when he’s not talking to her specifically about her performance — such as how he interacts with the band. Renee called it “incredibly educational.”
SEE ALSO: WHO WOULD BE YOUR COACH ON ‘THE VOICE’? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT!
Pia Renee’s Journey on ‘The Voice’ So Far
During her Blind Audition on The Voice, Renee sang Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster.” Both Legend and Blake Shelton turned their chairs for her. She chose to join Team Legend, and has made it all the way to the live shows.
She won her Battle against Christine Cain, and then she won her Knockout against Ciana Pelekai with the performance that inspired Jonas’ Whitney Houston comparison. As Renee revealed before her performance, she recently lost her mother and was channeling that emotion into the song.
Renee will perform in the Live Playoffs, which start Monday night on NBC.
SEE ALSO: ‘THE VOICE’ COACHES TEAM UP FOR A HILARIOUSLY ’80S MUSIC VIDEO
