Karina Iglesias

When you're competing on a show called "The Voice," the last thing you expect is to be sent home for having too good of one.

But that's what happened to 36-year-old Miami singer Karina Iglesias, who got the boot from NBC's national singing competition last week after celebrity coach Shakira saved contestant Garrett Gardner—whom she believed needed more coaching than Iglesias—to advance to the show's top 12 round, after results revealed that neither contestant had received the public votes necessary to advance.

"Karina, you have such a monster voice," Shakira told Iglesias. "You really have an amazing voice and you're so good already. But Garrett, I think I can make improve a lot more, so I’m going to save him."

And just like that, Iglesias had her shot at a recording contract and her taste of stardom cut short. She returned home to South Florida on Wednesday.

"It was one of those moments where so many things go through your mind," said Iglesias Thursday night at her Miramar home. "I hugged [Shakira] really hard, she hugged me hard and told me she was sorry. I just remember her walking up to me and me being completely heartbroken."

Iglesias's family was shocked.

"We didn’t speak a word,” said Adelina Iglesias, who is married to Karina's father Jose. "Nobody called each other—nothing. Except for a co-worker who texted me: 'Sin palabras [no words].' I sent back: 'Muda [speechless].'"

The singer's partner Jacquie stayed up consoling her on the phone until 7 a.m. the next morning. The two have been together for four years and married ceremonially in 2011 in Florida, where same-sex marriage is not legal.

"We're all very proud," Jacquie said. "This is just the beginning."

Iglesias's father is also optimistic about his daughter’s future.

"She has the talent," said the elder Iglesias, who owns a convenience store named Tiny's Food Store in Hialeah. "I hope she makes it higher and starts making a lot of money, so I can quit making colados."

Check out our Q&A with the singer, who dishes about life behind the cameras, coming out to her family and maybe a duet with Pitbull.

Was this your first time auditioning for a national singing competition?

Oh, no. I had auditioned for American Idol and X Factor, and this was my third time auditioning for The Voice. It was interesting how it happened. I emailed them my links and, within a week, I was in Los Angeles. I didn’t have to attend the auditions they have in cities. They automatically flew me over based on my YouTube videos and [in L.A.] I executive auditioned for the producers.

What went through your head when you knew you were being sent home?

I was sad because I felt I did more than enough to stay and be top 12. And I felt that I really deserved for her to save me. But I was blessed in the experience because I’ve been watched by 15 million people every Monday and got to experience what the television show was like.

Who knows what was going through [Shakira's] mind? I'm pretty sure that it was a tough decision to make because I know that Garrett was her little baby the whole time. I thought maybe she’d want to save the person who’s worked their butt off their entire career to get there, but maybe she perceived it differently. And I respect that. People have to go home on the show. That’s the reality of it. I left a little too early but I’m still blessed to have made it that far.

What did Shakira say to you that night after elimination?

It was a big blur. It was one of those moments where so many things go through your mind. I hugged her really hard, she hugged me hard and told me she was sorry. I just remember her walking up to me and me being completely heartbroken. And then they had that moment where they say 'We're saying goodbye to Karina' and they walk me off. I thought, 'Wow, I’m leaving this stage for good.' It was a very bitter pill to swallow. But I'm happy that I did it and would do it again if I had the chance.

Well, Jennifer Hudson was also kicked off shockingly early from her season of 'American Idol' and now she has an Oscar and a Grammy. - Sun Sentinel

Locally born and bred songstress Karina Iglesias has got more soul than a sock with a hole -- one listen to her music gives that away. Songs from the singer-songwriter's repertoire traverse R&B, funk, and beyond, while remaining smooth but down to earth. Her sultry, throaty vocal style easily navigates the crisp, funk-infused guitar work, playfully bobbing bass lines, and bright horns of original songs like "The Way," off her recent eponymous debut album. "Whatever You Want," meanwhile, displays her chops in a completely different arena, with a foray into the pop-house arena.

But smooth as butter neo-soul is where Iglesias truly shines. Downtempo and mournful ballads like "Good For Me," "Make A Little Room" and "It's Not Easy" are reminiscent of Alicia Keys, while the midtempo funk and R&B fusion of "Stand In The Light" and "Change" are redolent with traces of India.Arie and Erykah Badu.
Iglesias truly shines, though, onstage. While her studio vocal work is resplendent, live is where it really shimmers -- a good thing, since she is, lately, gigging nonstop on the local circuit. - Miami New Times

Local musical luminary Diane Ward will play the Girls with Guitars songwriter series on Tuesday, July 21 at the Van Dyke on South Beach. She'll appear alongside some of South Florida's finest singer-songwriters of the XX-chromosomed variety -- actually, one is XY -- including Daphna Rose, Sarah Packiam, and Cat Shell. If you're unfamiliar with Ward, she constructs straightforward but beautifully-crafted melodies that sometimes bust the seams of acoustic-rock expectations. While "This Love is Hard" pulls off a softer Melissa Etheridge-type grit, "Wonderlight" blends piano, guitar, and Ward's hearty vocals for an infectious and optimistic rock tune.


In addition, songwriter Daphna Rose's accomplished piano playing, guitar work, and breezy-blues vocals have the sort of emotional intensity that bend your soul (see "Shining Pieces"). Packiam runs the gamut from soft folkie rock to tough-grrl alternative. And one of the hardest-working singer-songwriters in South Florida, Cat Shell sings the sultry blues, her cheeky voice teasing just enough on numbers like "I'm Torn"; though her music seems to be informed from genres across the musical spectrum including jazz and country.

Other scheduled performers include Sindy Espitia, Alih Jey, Karina Iglesias, and Chris Syler. The show starts at 9 p.m. at Van Dyke Cafe, located at 846 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. - Miami New Times