Miami University Student Performs on The Voice

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Photo: Provided by Miami University

Sam Dearie is a musician, social media star and finance student.

A local social media star and Miami University finance student is finding even more fame after a recent performance aired on NBC’s The Voice.

Sam Dearie’s The Voice audition aired Sept. 25. The 20-year-old from Lebanon performed Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,” saying the choice comes from his years of performing it and that it shows off his voice and guitar skills, as well as embodies two of his favorite genres: country and crooning.

Dearie said he learned he had been selected to appear in the blind auditions of season 24 toward the end of last semester.

“It was a long time coming as the producers were trying to get me on the show for last season," he said in a press release. "It was exciting to see it all finally unfold.”

While Dearie didn’t get a chair turn from the judges, Gwen Stefani did tell Dearie his voice reminded her of a musical legend.

“You remind me so much of Elvis. He has that, like, vibrato that you do. But maybe it was just more about choices in the performance. It felt a little bit untamed,” Stefani said during the audition.

And despite not getting to advance in the show, Dearie called the experience “a dream.”

“It's a bummer that I couldn't pull off a chair turn, but I was excited to come back to school, finish my degree, and continue to pursue music,” he said, adding, “Stay tuned,” when asked if he would try out again.

“I would like to finish my finance degree before I go full force into the music industry,” he said. “That being said, I have devoted all my free time to building my brand.”

His brand includes a large presence on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, as well as booking gigs and writing and recording songs. Dearie says he’s picked up 500 new followers since his audition aired.

“I think it has definitely established a good base for the start of my performing career,” he said. “It automatically gives me credit as a singer and musician and I think the benefits of being on the show have not fully unfolded yet.”

You can find one of Dearie’s original songs, “Chance,” on Spotify, and he says more originals are coming soon. You can also find his performance schedule here, or follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @iamsamdearie.