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������ ����� ( F��� ��� ) H����� ���������� ���� K���� C�������� �� ��� ��������� ��� �� ���� ����� ���������� �� ��� ������� ������� �� ����������� G��� N���� T�� ��� C������� , ������ . good song it was for her blind audition . Clarkson was the first judge to hit her button and turn . Immediately after that , Ariana Grande did the same , and said Hailey ’ s voice was beautiful . None of the judges could believe that Hailey was only 13 .“ I had been waiting until I turned 13 to be on this show and I ’ m so , so honored to be here ,” she told the judges .
All four judges were highly complimentary of the power and control in Hailey ’ s voice . Addressing Cardona , Clarkson said , “ To be this young and have that kind of gift , you should write a book , Mom , on how toraise kids .”
�hile Clarkson tried to coax Hailey to her team — with no help from Shelton , who was goading the American Idol winner by saying the teen should be on Grande ’ s team — Hailey ultimately picked Grande as her coach . Clarkson still got her wish , though , after Hailey lost her battle round against Ra�uel Trinidad . Clarkson saved her and brought her onto her team , where she was instantly saved again , making it into the top 13 .
McCall , her vocal coach , was watching , and says he could see the fire and determination in Hailey when she was up on the chopping block . “ There was some kind of awakening that happened within her where you saw her fight , and Iwas like , that ’ s it ,” he says . “ That ’ s the evolution of Hailey as an artist .”
From there , Hailey continued to skyrocket to the top until it was just Paris �inningham , the siblings group Girl Named Tom , �ershika Maple , �endy Moten and Hailey .
To be coached by Grande and Clarkson was “ insane ,” she says� they were very strategic and invested in her . Both told her to not overthink her decisions too much , which is something Hailey says she does far too often , and that their advice really helped her be confident . “ Normally , I love when people show interest and investment in me because it makes me feel like I ’ m actually worthy enough to be there ,
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SPRING 2022 WAYNE MAGAZINE