This Latina is Killing It on ‘The Voice’ and Her Immigrant Parents are There Rooting For Her
This is Ivonne Acero.
Credit: @acero_ivonne / Instagram
She’s a high school student from a small town in Arizona called Aguila (population: 798).
Credit: @acero_ivonne / Instagram
When she’s not dressed as a pepperoni pizza, she’s the vice president of her high school’s student government and a varsity basketball player.
Acero is also the child of Mexican immigrants. She works with her parents at a local cantaloupe farm.
Credit: NBC
And despite seeing cantaloupes all the time, she loves ’em.
Credit: NBC
The 17-year-old says she loves cutting them in half and putting a scoop of ice cream in the middle.
Last year, Acero auditioned on season 8 of The Voice.
Credit: NBC
Acero saved money from her cantaloupe farming gig to buy a plane ticket to New York and audition for The Voice. She got her chance to perform in front of the judges during the premiere of season 8. “If I could turn a chair, it would be life-changing,” said Acero on The Voice.
Acero’s parents watched closely as their daughter sung “Try” by Colbie Caillat.
Credit: NBC
But none of the judges turned for Acero.
Credit: NBC
After Acero finished her performance, Blake Shelton said he was mad at himself for not turning around. Christina Aguilera said Acero just needed a bit more experience. Adam Levine, who said her performance contained “so much good,” asked her to come back the following year.
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Pharrell noted that Acero’s shy demeanor affected her performance.
Credit: NBC
“Let that microphone go… let it go,” said Pharrell, who added:
Credit: NBC
Acero took their advice and auditioned again this season.
Acero took their advice and auditioned again this season.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
And within 10 seconds, two judges turned for her.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
Acero’s family went crazy.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
Acero’s family went crazy.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
So did host Carson Daly.
Especially her father, who couldn’t hold back his tears.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
Of course, Acero chose Team Pharrell.
Credit: NBC / The Voice
In the following “battle round,” Acero lost to Siahna Im. But she was given a second chance.
In the following “battle round,” Acero lost to Siahna Im. But she was given a second chance.
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton both tried to “steal” Acero, who eventually chose to join Team Blake.
Being saved by another coach did wonders for her confidence. The following week, Acero was wowing guest coach Rihanna during rehearsals:
Credit: The Voice / Vine
After a bit of coaching from Shelton and Rihanna, Acero won her “knockout round” with a gripping performance of Katy Perry’s “Part of Me.”
Credit: The Voice / YouTube
Acero shook off the shyness that plagued her previous performances and spread her wings, just like Pharrell asked her in the previous season.
After her breakout performance, Acero politely asked fans not to compare her to a certain Latina TV character:
If I get called ugly Betty 1 more time I am going to grab all of my cantaloupes and I will make a fence with them around people's computers?
— Ivonne Acero (@acero_ivonne) October 27, 2015
Credit: @acero_ivonne / Twitter
Acero will continue her quest to win this season of The Voice, and you can bet her parents will be along for the ride:
Credit: @acero_ivonne / Instagram
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