Arizona teen makes it onto NBC’s ‘The Voice’

Aguila’s own Ivonne Acero is hopeful of making the final 32

Ivonne+Acero+stands+outside+her+favorite+ice+cream+shop+in+Wickenburg.

Didi Diop/Scottsdale Chronicle

Ivonne Acero stands outside her favorite ice cream shop in Wickenburg.

Didi Diop, Reporter

Ivonne Acero, a 17-year-old from Aguila, Ariz. auditioned for the ninth season of “The Voice” over the summer and made it onto a team once Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams pounded their ‘YES’ buttons and turned their chairs.

Acero is currently in her senior year at Wickenburg High School, where she recently was crowned homecoming queen.

“I’m not used to being known, people are so excited,” Acero said.

Growing up, music was always a part of Acero’s life. Her mother, Rafaela Enriquez, also sings and her cousin is currently an actor on a Broadway show in New York City.

When the young talent first started thinking about auditioning for “The Voice,” she was unsure. Her church was against music that did not hold Christian values, however Acero’s feelings of uncertainty were refuted once she decided to try out anyway.

“A woman in my church told me that God had told her that I was going to be known by the whole world and that he has given me a special talent, and that inspired me,” Acero said.

It wasn’t the teenager’s first time auditioning for “The Voice.” During the eighth season, she tried out, but no chair turned for her.

“I was close to achieving my dreams and then in a minute it was all taken away, but the coaches encouraged me to work on my music and come back,” Acero said. “And honestly I am who I am today because of that audition, it helped me to grow as an artist and as a person.”

Despite her earlier rejection, Acero decided to audition again. This time, two chairs turned around for her. Both Stefani and Williams were rooting for Acero after she performed her own version of the song “Style” by Taylor Swift. Acero picked Team Pharrell and has been working with him since.

“I just had a good feeling to go with Pharrell,” Acero said. “He is awesome and such a kind and genuine human being.”

Now that the blind auditions are over and Acero has picked a team, she joins 47 other artists in competing for live show performances of. Only 32 artists will make it past the battles.

“I’m just rolling with the punches right now and you will see how my battle went on the next episode,” Acero said. “Everybody on the show deserves to be on the show, they are all amazing artists, but in the end just one can win.”

Since the show, the young star has received a lot of attention and support from friends, family, and even strangers. An Arizona woman from Scottsdale is among the supporters.

“It’s really exciting seeing somebody from your hometown on ‘The Voice,’ that makes you want to cheer for them,” the woman said.