‘Greatest moment of my life’: WMU Theatre student blows judges away on ‘The Voice’
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Study for midterms. Get hyped for the homecoming tailgate. Sing on national television with a pop music superstar. Western Michigan University Jack Austin has started senior year checking off quite a to-do list!
The music theatre performance student represented Bronco Nation well on the season 28 premiere of NBC’s “The Voice,” earning chair turns from judges and singing superstars Michael Buble, Niall Horan and Reba McIntyre for his spin on Horan’s hit song “This Town.”
“When do you ever have the opportunity to sing an artist their own song, you know? I thought it was a big risk, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Austin. “I was actually doing pretty well with the nerves when they were facing away from me, but when they started turning around is when the nerves really kicked in.”
Despite the nerves, the judges raved about his performance.
“Your voice is pure, sweet. I absolutely love your voice,” said McIntyre.
“I thought your melody choices you made—I was like, ‘Should have thought of that, should have thought of that!’” added Horan, who was so impressed that he jumped on stage and asked Austin to do a duet.
“When he asked, I kind of just went blank. I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is impromptu, unrehearsed. Don’t mess it up,’ you know? And the crowd was screaming so loud that it was even hard to hear the music,” recalls Austin. “It had not even crossed my mind that it could be a possibility, and when it happened, it was the greatest moment of my life. That was so cool.”
Unsurprisingly, Austin chose to join Horan’s team, to the excitement of all his friends and family who were hosting watch parties in his hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan, and on Western’s campus.
“It means so much to me to get the support from my hometown and my school, because those are the people that have gotten me to where I am today,” he says. “It also means a lot to me to make them proud, because they’ve invested their time and energy into me.”
Now everyone will have to wait until the Battle Round to see how Austin fares on Team Niall which begins Monday, Oct. 13. Through it all, Austin will continue life as a college student.
“It’s a weird transition from being in L.A. to coming back to school and watching it all back on air. It’s been very surreal,” says Austin. “I’m just trying to live life as normally as I can and finish school, because that’s really important to me, and just spend time with my friends that I’ve made here and the professors. They’ve just become family, really.”
As Austin thinks about his upcoming graduation, he’s excited about the possibilities that lie ahead from the platform “The Voice” will give him. He’s also bringing along an impressive resume that includes originating the lead role in the musical “Boy on Billboard,” which premiered to a sold-out audience in New York City last summer; winning Rock Song of the Year for his original song, “GET AWAY,” at the Josie Music Awards, where he’s also nominated for multiple awards this year for his single, “I Got a Love!”; and founding Unity Theatre Company, a youth theatre program in his hometown.
Through all his experiences, he’s learned an important lesson: “Put yourself out there, whatever your dreams are,” he says. “At Western you have so many awesome professors and resources to help support you. The University itself has been so, so supportive in me chasing my dreams.”
Follow Austin’s journey on “The Voice” Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.
