MD Singer On 'The Voice' Advances To Semifinals, Impresses With Powerful Cover

SEVERNA PARK, MD — A teenage singer from Severna Park is heading to the semifinals of NBC's "The Voice" competition show.

The 17-year-old, Parijita Bastola, advanced out of the top 10 Tuesday evening. She will compete again next week alongside the other eight semifinalists for a chance to reach the show's final round.

Bastola sang "Scars To Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara during her Monday night performance. "The Voice" posted the video on Facebook, and called Bastola's cover "a masterclass in passion and joy."

Cara also messaged Bastola to say she enjoyed the rendition.

"Beautiful beautiful job," Cara wrote to Bastola in a direct message. "Your voice is gorgeous and your words were so sweet! proud of you for coming so far since we met. best of luck."

Bastola was starstruck and shared Cara's message on social media.

"I can not believe this happened," Bastola said Tuesday on Facebook."This is a dream come true."

Bastola was the first person in her family born in the United States. Her family moved to the U.S. after political unrest in their native Nepal. Bastola's father came over first.

Immigration made it impossible for Bastola's older sister to join them, however. Bastola could only communicate with her sister by writing letters. Bastola's sister introduced her to soul and R&B music, inspiring her powerful and emotional style.

School musicals and choirs eventually led Bastola to a blues band. She has spent the past five years playing at restaurants and bars. Bastola also recently performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

The artist got her big break this September when she impressed "The Voice" judges during blind auditions.

In this phase of the show, contestants try out by singing a snippet of a song while the judges sit facing away from the performers. Judges, who also act as voice coaches, turn their chairs around if they want that singer on their team.

All four coaches turned around for Bastola as she sang "Jealous" by Labrinth. With her choice of coaches, Bastola decided to join John Legend's team.

"The best Artists are able to bring the music of their culture and of their roots into the wider global landscape of music," Legend told Bastola after her audition. "I think your voice is that kind of transcendent voice."

The semifinal performances air Monday at 8 p.m.

Fans can vote after the show at nbc.com/voicevote and on the show's mobile application. Viewers can vote up to 10 times per artist per email address. Voting will be open from Monday at 8 p.m. to Tuesday at 7 a.m.

The vote results show will follow Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The season 22 finals are on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. "The Voice" will announce its winner the next day at 9 p.m.

All shows air live on NBC. Fans can stream the episodes the next day on Peacock.