Lauren-Michael Sellers, a 35-year-old singer from Birmingham, Alabama, wowed judges on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ with her powerful rendition of ‘Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).’
Sellers’ audition on ‘The Voice’ was truly special. As she began singing ‘Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)’, a popular worship song by Hillsong United from 2013, the entire atmosphere changed. The song talks about trusting God when things are uncertain, and it clearly touched both Sellers and the judges.
Gwen Stefani turned her chair first, clearly moved by Sellers’ singing. “I love this song so much,” Stefani said. She later told Sellers about how the song had recently touched her during a run. “Hearing you sing it, it just felt very real and honest,” she said.
Michael Bublé turned next, praising Sellers’ voice and energy. “What a beautiful breath of fresh air you are,” he said. “Love your voice, love your control, love that you brought this beautiful energy. This whole place just blew up.”
Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg also turned their chairs, giving Sellers the coveted four-chair turn. Interestingly, both McEntire and Snoop said they turned because of how Stefani reacted. Snoop’s comment was really striking: “While you were singing, I was seeing Gwen light up, as if God was coming in the building, and I didn’t want to be left out when he came.”
McEntire agreed, saying, “I watched her, I listened to you, and I thought this is magical. I love your voice. Emotion, when people are singing, if you can feel it — oh my gosh that’s the greatest gift.”
Sellers’ path to “The Voice” stage wasn’t easy. As the oldest of five kids, she had to grow up fast because of her mom’s mental health issues. “When you love somebody who is Jekyll and Hyde, you don’t trust. You question everything. You really doubt who you are,” Sellers shared, giving us a glimpse of her tough childhood.
At 13, Sellers moved in with her dad, but she still felt lonely. During this time, she started writing stories, keeping a dream journal, and writing songs. Music became her safe place, where she could express herself freely.
Now a special education teacher, Sellers sees her chance on “The Voice” as proof that faith and hard work pay off. “Looking back, I didn’t think I would make it, period. So looking back and having that chance, even at 35, is incredible,” she said. “This is for that child who had huge dreams, and life really did its best to crush that out of her. But, I’m still here.”
When it came time to pick her coach, Sellers said that before going on stage, she had prayed “Reba’s prayer”: “Holy Spirit, walk with me, talk with me, sing for me, speak for me.” This spiritual connection, plus her love for country music, led her to choose Reba McEntire as her coach.
McEntire got teary-eyed when Sellers chose her, saying, “I’m just so thrilled she came on my team.” Stefani, though disappointed, understood the choice, saying, “It’s like, she wants to do country music. Why am I even trying? I should have known. She said your prayer. She has red hair.”
Sellers’ impact went beyond her audition. The day after it aired, she shared a special moment on Instagram. She led some of her fellow contestants in worship by the hotel pool, calling it “an unforgettable moment.”
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“Singing my blind song Hillsong United’s ‘Oceans’ together was so powerful — such a beautiful reminder of how music connects us to one another and to God, no matter where we are,” she wrote. “Feeling blessed to share this journey with such incredible souls.”
Lauren-Michael Sellers’ story reminds us that our past doesn’t decide our future. Her journey from a tough childhood to inspiring millions on TV shows that with faith, hard work, and trust in God’s timing, we can overcome big challenges. We can use our gifts to honor God and lift up others, no matter how old we are or what we’ve been through.
WATCH: Lauren-Michael Sellers Sings ‘Oceans’ on The Voice
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