Former child star Billy Gilman returns to the TV spotlight tonight (Sept. 20) with an appearance on Season 11 of NBC’s The Voice. Billy took part in the show’s blind auditions and received the attention of all four coaches.
In 2000, 11-year-old Billy released the single “One Voice,” which was a Top 20 hit for the youngster from Rhode Island. He later released an album of the same name that reached double-platinum status. Billy left country music after releasing the single “I’ve Changed” in 2009—returning in 2014 with the release of “Say You Will” and the sharing the news that he was gay.
In his blind audition Billy performed a beautiful rendition of Adele’s “When We Were Young.” Adam Levine was the first coach to hit his button and turn his chair to face Billy, followed by Miley Cyrus, and at the end of the performance both Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton simultaneously hit their buttons to turn around.
“What’s your name, man?” Blake asked Billy. “My name is Billy Gilman,” he replied. “I know Billy,” Blake shared with the other coaches.
“I started out as a young country artist and had great success,” Billy tells the coaches. “To finally be here at a moment where I can finally sing the way I so badly wanted to even then and to finally stand here and be among you—it truthfully is such an honor. ”
Check out a sneak peek of Billy’s blind audition and tune in to The Voice tonight, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. ET to see who Billy picks as his coach.
