West Dundee's Riley Elmore preparing for live playoffs on 'The Voice'
Whether he's performing on nationwide TV or signing autographs for new fans, Dundee-Crown High School junior Riley Elmore says he's "living the dream."
The 16-year-old jazz singer from West Dundee has made it past the first three rounds of NBC's "The Voice," which were all prerecorded. During his next performance Nov. 7, the competition will be aired live, and viewers will vote to keep their favorite contestants.
Elmore, who has been practicing his song and resting his voice, isn't letting the pressure faze him. He's just eager to continue performing music he loves for his growing fan base.
"I'm super excited. I'm looking forward to the feeling you get when you know you're ready and everything's going to go right," he said. "I'm also looking forward to doing stuff that nobody else does on the show."
For Elmore, the next stint of the show begins Monday when he leaves for California, where "The Voice" is filmed. On top of practicing for his performance and reconnecting with fellow contestants, he'll be set up with a tutor so he doesn't fall behind on schoolwork.
Before he leaves, Elmore has been encouraging friends, peers and community members to watch the show and vote. He even spent some time this week visiting area middle schools.
Elmore admitted he's still not sure what to make of his newfound fame. He's been asked to sign autographs at choral concerts and take pictures with fans, and he's gained thousands of followers on social media.
"I don't know where it's coming from. I look at (social media) every day and don't really believe it," Elmore said. "I feel like I'm never going to consider myself a celebrity."
Elmore's experience on the set of "The Voice" might be a bit different this time around, he said, because fans can follow the show as it's happening. Previously, he was contractually prohibited from revealing anything about the blind audition, battle round and knockout round until the episodes aired.
Still, contestants were never able to start over if they messed up in the first three rounds, and Elmore said he doesn't see the live playoffs being much different for performers. He plans to do what he always does: Stay positive and take the stage with confidence.
For Elmore, getting back to the competition is about more than singing. He's excited to bond with the other contestants, many of whom he kept in touch with over the past several months.
"Once we get back there, it's going to be one big, happy family," he said.
Though the singers help each other along the way, some of the best advice Elmore has gotten is from coach Adam Levine, who has been teaching him how to become a better performer.
"He helped me loosen up and believe in myself a little bit more," Elmore said. "He made me have a little more confidence in myself."
Elmore will be one of 20 artists performing in the live playoffs. The two contestants who receive the most votes on each team, plus one chosen by the team's coach, will advance to the next round of live performances.
"The Voice" airs at 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.