Mescalero teen pursues her dream on 'The Voice'

MESCALERO — Khaliya Kimberlie, 16-year-old local singing sensation from Mescalero, is a contestant on Season 11 of NBC's hit show "The Voice."

Kimberlie started pursuing music in the sixth grade, when she auditioned for the New Mexico all-state choir.

“After that I found out that I have a passion for music, I really started pursuing it,” she said. “I went onto audition for the X-Factor and stuff like that.”

Locally, Kimberlie sang during a benefit for the Center of Protective Environment (COPE) in 2012, took second place at Alamogordo Idol in 2013 and was named the New Mexico State Fair Karaoke Champion in 2015.

Kimberlie auditioned in five open calls for "The Voice," securing a spot this year at the open call in Memphis, Tennessee. After being selected during the open call, Kimberlie went in front of "The Voice" judges Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton for a blind audition.

“It was phenomenal,” she said. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done. I was definitely more excited than nervous. To be in front of four amazing artists in the music industry, it was mind blowing.”

Kimberlie said she wasn’t nervous until right before she went on stage but calmed down when she began singing.

“After Blake and Miley turned at the same time, I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “I’m almost positive every artist experienced this, but it’s like you’re having an out-of-body experience. As soon as I got off stage, I didn’t remember a thing about what just happened. When I was lying in bed that night, I was like ‘That actually happened, I did that today!’ It was amazing.”

Kimberlie had a tough decision to make after coaches Shelton and Cyrus turned their chairs around.

“I went onstage thinking, I was going to pick Blake because he does work so well with young artists,” she said. “He gave Danielle Bradbury and Cassadee Pope their start. They are both amazing and strong country singers and so I thought maybe he was going to be my best bet.”

Ultimately, Kimberlie chose Cyrus as her coach. Cyrus is no stranger to country music – her father is Billy Ray Cyrus and her godmother is Dolly Parton. During the blind audition, Cyrus said she understood Kimberlie’s desire to put an indie flair on country music and knew what it’s like to be young in the music industry.

“Miley said all the right things and she really understands the artist I want to be,” Kimberlie said. “I’m still trying to find myself as an artist and I’m hoping Miley’s going to help me achieve that.”

Another reason Kimberlie, who is gay, said she chose Team Miley was because of the influence Cyrus had on her growing up.

“Growing up in Ruidoso, I felt very obligated to live up to everyone’s social standards, so coming out of the closet was scary for me,” Kimberlie said. “When I did come out, it was because of Miley. She is sure of herself and she’s happy."

In the first performance Kimberlie ever did, her fifth grade talent show, she sang a song from "Hannah Montana" – Cyrus’s hit Disney television show.

“I sang "Hoedown Throwdown" from the Hannah Montana movie and I’ve just been stuck on music since then,” Kimberlie said. “She’s just always been a big inspiration for me. To have her as a coach now, I’m so excited to work with her because she’s such an inspirational person and she has a heart of gold.”

To the local kids watching Kimberlie compete for her dream, she said she hopes this inspires them to keep pursuing their own dreams.

“Always be true to yourself and always preserve no matter what happens,” Kimberlie said. “I’ve been told no so many times in my short career. I’ve gotten 100 no’s but I got my one yes -- big opportunities can happen to people in small towns like this.”

She also said she wants to thank everyone in Alamogordo, Mescalero and Ruidoso who are cheering her on.

“I can’t thank you guys enough for all the love and support, it’s really going to push me throughout this experience,” Kimberlie said.

Kimberlie will return on "The Voice" during the next round of competition, which is the battle rounds. The battle rounds are expected to start on Oct. 10. Kimberlie's first song from "The Voice" is available to purchase on iTunes.