Tune In, Turn On
If you happened to turn on NBC’s “The Voice” singing competition a few weeks ago and were surprised to see a performance by South Jersey’s own Destinee Monroe — or if you missed it — there’s good news: Monroe made it through the opening week’s Blind Auditions. Three of the talent show’s four coaches — Adam Levine, Riley Green and Queen Latifah — turned their chairs after Monroe’s powerhouse performance of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home.” Only Kelly Clarkson did not turn around.
Monroe chose Levine, lead singer and frontman of the rock-pop group Maroon 5, as her coach for the singing competition’s Season 30 premiere.
Monroe is no stranger to the music business. She once toured with pop star Britney Spears and was signed, along with her sister Paris, to major label Interscope Records at age 12. In this year’s competition on “The Voice,” Monroe is the oldest competitor, at 32, and the only one with professional singing experience.
“When I introduced Destinee onstage, I would call her scintillating, vivacious, sultry and exciting, but most of all, deeply talented,” said Carmen Marotta, Tony Mart Presents promoter. “Her success is the combination of her fabulous God-given attributes and the hard work and dedication that distinguishes her accomplishments from her childhood under the guidance of her parents. Her father, Eddie Monroe, is a Tony Mart veteran who was a friend of my dad. I love him, and I love that family. I’m so proud that I have been part of her rise and look forward to hopefully presenting her again someday.”
Billy Walton, the singer-guitarist who fronts the Billy Walton Band, of which Monroe was a member for almost three years, said, “I’d worked with Destinee for a few years. She toured with the band and did hundreds of band and acoustic shows with me. We wrote a bunch of songs together that I hope she gets to release someday. Destinee is an incredible vocalist and performer. We’re all rooting for her.”
“There’s something incredibly genuine and powerful about Destinee’s presence,” said Jerry Ryan, promoter of the Elephant Talk Music Festival, where Monroe performed in 2025. “You can’t help but get completely drawn in, caught up in the moment and feel like you’re witnessing something truly special. I’m so happy the rest of the country is finally getting to see what so many of us have known for years. … Destinee is a superstar!”
Tune In, Turn On caught up with Monroe recently to discuss the exciting developments.
Doug D: How did you become a contestant on “The Voice”? Walk us through the process.
Destinee: A friend of mine encouraged me to reach out to casting directors, and I was invited to an audition in Nashville. I drove from Jersey to Nashville and stayed the weekend to do the audition. I was selected out of numerous artists who applied to be a part of the show, which sent me through a long process to then be a contestant for the Blind Auditions in front of some of the coolest artists today.
Doug D: How did you decide which songs to perform during the Blind Auditions?
Destinee: The show decided on “Home Sweet Home,” which is a song I initially performed in my audition in Nashville. I was so pumped when I received the email that I would be singing that, and I had already planned out my outfit, which I didn’t end up wearing for the actual blinds. But stay tuned for the rest of the season because you might just see me in it in a future episode!
(Destinee is quite the fashionista. — DD)
Doug D: Three of the four coaches on “The Voice” turned around when you performed, indicating their interest in working with you. Why did you choose Adam Levine?
Destinee: I chose Adam because I’ve always found his music to be experimental and fresh, so I felt he was the right coach for me. It was really tough, though, especially having him and Riley — who couldn’t get a word in, LOL — pining for me to be on their team. I’m really flattered he wants to play guitar in my band. That’s pretty cool. He’s a chill guy.
Doug D: When will we next see you performing on “The Voice”?
Destinee: Keep tuning in every Monday on NBC. We’re just getting started!
When asked when Destinee would next perform, NBC publicist Nikki Lichterman replied, “We don’t reveal that info beforehand. But our battles begin next week. … Feel free to check in with me as we go through the next three weeks.”
Doug D: How has your background singing here in New Jersey prepared you for competing on “The Voice”?
Destinee: I think it prepared me immensely. It taught me to put myself out there, and it taught me determination. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my home state nurturing me and giving me the space to connect to music on a deep level.
Doug D: What’s your best advice for any young singers who might be watching you on “The Voice” and hoping they can compete there someday, like you?
Destinee: The only advice I can give would be to always believe in yourself. You can do incredible things in this life if you just show up being authentically you. There’s no one like you, and the world needs you.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
