Canton singer makes history on NBC’s ‘The Voice’

Following 23 seasons that have unfolded since 2011, country superstar and popular “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton’s  absolute final blind audition selection on NBC’s hit singing competition show was Grace West, better known as Grace Rembinski to those who knew her during her formative years growing up in Canton.

Shelton announced prior to the March 6, 2023 “The Voice” debut this season would be his last — and West, who moved to Nashville with her parents after graduating from Plymouth High School in 2021, impressed the performing legend with her smooth voice and poised performance.

“I would be honored,” Shelton said, “if you would be the last person I ever hit this freaking, worn-out button for.”

Easy choice

Coach Niall Horan, a former member of the boy band “One Direction”, also wanted West on his team, saying, “America is going to love you”, but West chose Shelton with little hesitation.

“The Voice” coach Kelly Clarkson endorsed Shelton as West’s coach.

West is one of 40 performers who will advance to battle rounds, knockouts and playoffs before an ultimate winner is chosen.

“Grace is the perfect female country singer,” Shelton said.

Success story

Prior to her performance, West talked about how she was approached by a Nashville recording company when she was 12 years old after they were impressed with her talent at a singing competition.

She signed a contract with Mucho Love Music when she was 16 and moved to Nashville just weeks after graduating from Plymouth.

In addition to performing in Nashville clubs (and working as a part-time dog walker, she revealed on the show), West is a song writer.

“It’s probably the most vulnerable thing a person can do,” she said, referring to her song-writing career. “Here’s all my secrets and here’s everything about me and I’m going to write about it all.”

West’s parents — Daryl and Jill Rembinski — were overcome by emotions as Shelton hugged their daughter.