Her deeply passionate and soulful take of the Nina Simone’s classic had Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton, and Alicia Keys pressing their buttons before the beat even dropped. Adam Levine joined his fellow coaches in turning his chair during the final moments of the song.
Cyrus referred the PCTI alumna as “a total star” while Shelton commented that she was “someone we learn from” and that he “hit his button out of jealousy.” Levine called her performance “remarkable,” but it was Keys who sealed the deal by connecting with McDonald on an emotional level, saying “I don’t want you to be like anybody else. You were born to show people what love sounds like.”
Ultimately, the graduate of PCTI’s Performing Arts program selected Alicia Keys as her coach. The honor of being showcased and selected for NBC’s “The Voice” is well deserved. While in high school, Wé McDonald was committed to performing in PCTI’s spring musicals and secured roles in both 42nd Street and Man of La Mancha. She was also active in the American Sign Language program.
Chief School Administrator Diana C. Lobosco shared some warm words about the young starlet, “PCTI is extremely proud of Wé. Her incredible performances as part our school’s Performing Arts program, as well as her participation in our annual musicals, proved she is exceptionally gifted. We are cheering her on as she begins her journey on the road to stardom and look forward to seeing more of her talents emerge during season 11 of ‘The Voice.’”
Wé McDonald performs in PCTI’s 2015 musical, “42nd Street.”
Wé McDonald entrances audience goers with her skilled portrayal of Aldonza in PCTI’s 2016 musical “Man of La Mancha.”
PCTI graduate and Paterson resident Wé McDonald performs on NBC’s “The Voice” during the Olympic Premiere on Sunday, August 21st (photo credit: Tyler Golden, NBC).