The Voice is well underway with blind auditions, and the mentors are looking for Norway’s best voice. During Friday’s episode, a former Idol contestant appeared on stage.
The last time Bendik Solberg (23) stood on stage was in 2020. Then he ended up with fourth place in Idol.
Now he is making a comeback in The Voice.
– Here I don’t have any charisma I can lean on – it’s just my voice, Solberg tells TV 2.
COMEBACK: Do you recognize him here? Bendik Solberg is making a comeback on stage. Photo: Thomas Andersen / TV 2
– The level is far higher
The 23-year-old feels that The Voice participation has so far been different from Idol.
– On The Voice you have to go through four to five rounds of auditions before you get to the blind audition. The level is far higher than what I felt it was on Idol, he says, and continues:
– Here it is not a competition about who belongs best on stage in terms of showmanship, but rather who has the most unique voice and who conveys the message best.
It was judge and songwriter Espen Lind (51), who turned around when Solberg presented his version of “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane.
– The collaboration with Espen is going to be fantastic. He is probably the one I look up to the most – both musically and the way he looks at things. I think he is the one for me.
AUDITION: Bendik Solberg at the audition in the singing competition Idol in 2020. Photo: Endre Forbord/TV 2
Using lessons learned from Idol
After Idol, there are several elements Solberg brings with him to the participation in The Voice. One of them is about being present in the moment.
– I have often struggled with the fact that I go a little too far out of body and soul. It is so far positive, but I have to manage to find a middle ground, he says, and continues:
– That’s why I do various breathing exercises, and focus on not impressing the judges – it’s myself.
See Bendik Solberg’s version of the famous song in the video at the top of the story.
The 23-year-old says that his musical experience comes from Idol, where he learned to perform under pressure, among other things.
– It has affected my personality, as I have never had much self-confidence. Self-confidence grew extremely after Idol.
IDOL: Bendik Solberg took part in Idol in 2020. Three years later, he tries his hand at The Voice. Photo: Thomas Andersen / TV 2
However, it became difficult to start a music career after Idol, as the corona had fully erupted during the last broadcasts.
– It is bitter to know that I could use this time to advertise what I most want to do. It could not be done.
Therefore, Solberg set new goals to be able to continue with what he likes most.
– I set myself a goal to start producing high-quality pop music. At the same time, I studied to become a music teacher. I’m writing my bachelor’s now, so The Voice is on the eve of the last year of my studies. Finally there was space to do something like that.
Jarle gets a real surprise when he turns around
Watch The Voice on Fridays from 20:00 on TV 2 Direkte, and whenever you want TV 2 Play.
