Meet the local singer whose successful run on The Voice won the hearts of the celebrity judges and music lovers across America.
By Megan Archer
HQ 116 | WINTER 2022
When Kentucky native Holly Forbes made the Top 10 during the 2021 season of The Voice, audiences in the Tri-State rejoiced with her as if her success were their own. Perhaps it seemed that way because for many, it felt as if Holly fostered her musical talent while performing close to home.
“I came into the Huntington music scene as an adult in 2014,” said Forbes, now a resident of Catlettsburg, Kentucky. “I started meeting people and playing open mics at The V Club and The Ale House. My first taste of Huntington was the music scene. Huntington has a very eclectic music scene — there’s hip hop, country, alternative, indie. Our area gets a bad rap, but there are so many unique and amazingly talented people here, and I try to tell everyone that.”
Like many successful performers, Forbes grew up in church and started singing with her family. She said she believes this foundation fostered a deep love for all things music.
“Joining choir, learning piano, learning to love to harmonize — I put myself totally into the music, and I was really focused on growing that. I wasn’t really into sports, but I would find ways to sing or perform in any way I could. My dad and my mom both sing, so music was a natural fit for me.”
Forbes was in middle school when the breakout singing competition American Idol premiered. As she watched Kelly Clarkson jumpstart her career and eventually become the first female singer to win the show, Forbes thought to herself, “I want to do that.”
At age 11, she started having seizures. Doctors prescribed several medications that made her hair brittle and patchy. Eventually, she lost all her hair. She said it wasn’t easy being bald as a kid, and to cope she spent a great deal of time in her room alone listening to music and singing. In time, it boosted her self-esteem.
“I tried out for American Idol and America’s Got Talent, but there was something about The Voice I loved. Especially because it is so focused on vocals, and they couldn’t see me. They just had to listen to me. I spent a lot of time working on my voice so I could grab their attention. I really wanted that moment. I spent a lot of time preparing for the show while being in the lockdown and being home.”
Although she was working hard to get ready for her audition, Forbes admitted that she went into the whole experience with very low expectations. Why, you ask? Many may not realize this was her fifth time auditioning for The Voice.
“I had tried out three times in person and one time virtually. I honestly went into it not expecting to get through.”
A true testament to her drive and determination, Forbes was cast for the 2021 season, which featured celebrity judges Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend and Blake Shelton. Forbes said she can remember that feeling like it was yesterday.
“To even get cast was so amazing. I felt like I was finally ready to be on that stage. If I’ve learned anything from trying to make it as a musician, it’s this — you’re going to hear ‘no’ so many times before you hear ‘yes.’ That’s true for any artist. You’ll get turned down so many times, but that just makes you want to work harder and get better. Every time I’ve been told ‘no,’ it just makes me want to keep trying.”
Being cast for the show is one thing, but to be selected by one of the judges to remain on the show is another. Forbes gave a stellar performance of Elton John’s Rocket Man, and after a four-chair turn — the most coveted outcome on The Voice — she was faced with the difficult decision of choosing a coach. Forbes remembered being emotional when standing in front of the four celebrity judges.
“Honestly I was trying not to cry. The audition process is a very stressful thing. It’s months of hard work building up to that moment, and it was such a huge rush of emotions for me.”
In that moment, Forbes knew whom she had to choose.
“My whole reason for having the drive to be on a show like this came from Kelly Clarkson. She was the first female star to emerge from a talent show, and I have always loved her and looked up to her. I was going to choose her no matter what.”
But viewers of The Voice will know that this pairing was short-lived; because during the show’s knockout rounds, Ariana Grande stole Forbes for her team.
“All of the coaches are great, but Ariana brought so much passion and love. Throughout the show, Ariana kept building me up; and I fell in love with how she was as a coach. I didn’t want to leave Kelly Clarkson’s team, but, in a way, I was so happy to have the chance to work with Ariana. There is no one else I would’ve wanted to finish this journey with. The chance to work with both Kelly and Ariana was an incredible experience.”
When asked about her favorite memory of working with both coaches, Forbes said that would have to be the surreal experience of eating turkey and dressing with Ariana Grande.
“Ari invited us to Thanksgiving dinner at her mom’s house. We got to play games and have a jam session — it was so much fun. She was so welcoming and it’s something I will never forget. She would also invite us over Tuesdays after the results show, and we would hang out. It’s like we are friends. She actually texted me earlier today and said, ‘You can’t get rid of me.’”
Forbes isn’t the only one who is a fan of Ariana Grande — Forbes’ daughter was elated when she learned that her mommy was on Team Ariana.
“My daughter was thrilled. She’s been watching Ariana Grande for years. When she found out I was going to be on the show, my daughter lost it — and she is still losing it over Ariana. She’s been so excited for me. I think of those times when I had to take her to a babysitter so I could work hard to make all this happen. I think it’s important that she can see that hard work does indeed pay off. But now she’s so happy that I’m home.”
Before The Voice, Forbes worked in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, as a caregiver to patients with autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. Other than music, Forbes said her work was her greatest passion.
As Forbes was wrapping up her time on The Voice, she received an invitation from a familiar face — West Virginia’s own Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. A long-time fan of Murphy’s, Forbes said she was thrilled when she was offered a spot as a guest on his holiday tour.
“After I got cut from the show, I took a short breather before joining Landau on his West Virginia tour. I would love to do more with him. He’s been so helpful, and his team has given me so many pieces of advice. They know exactly what a show like this can do for you. Landau turned his appearances on America’s Got Talent into a solid career, and I would love to continue to learn from him.”
As she looks to the future and makes plans for her music career, Forbes said the best part of the journey thus far has been meeting her fans and realizing the impact her music has on audiences.
“It’s so nice to read praise online, but to hear and see it in person and to interact with the people is my favorite part. It’s so nice to learn that I inspired someone who grew up where I grew up. I’m so thankful to everyone in the Tri-State who voted for me. I wouldn’t be here without them. Looking ahead, I would love to release an album. I’ve started booking shows for next year. I’m ready to travel to new places, play shows, spread good vibes and give back all the love I have received.”
