If you spent any time watching Season 24 of NBC’s The Voice, you probably remember the moment the room went still. It wasn't because of a glass-shattering high note or some over-the-top stage pyrotechnics. It was just a girl, a piano, and a version of "Can't Find My Way Home" that felt like it was being beamed in from a 1970s Laurel Canyon living room. That was our introduction to Lila Forde the Voice fans couldn't stop talking about—a singer who managed to make a high-stakes TV competition feel like an intimate jazz club.
Honestly, Lila Forde was an anomaly. In a show that often rewards "the belters"—those singers who can hit notes only dogs can hear—Lila took the opposite route. She was breathy. She was rhythmic. She was, as coach Niall Horan put it, a bit like a modern-day Joni Mitchell.
But what actually happened after the confetti settled? Most people know she made the Top 5, but the story of how she got there—and where she’s gone since the 2024 finale—is way more interesting than just a reality TV stats sheet.
The "Quiet" Power of Lila Forde on The Voice
When Lila stepped onto that stage for her Blind Audition, she didn't just get a chair turn; she got all four. John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan, and Reba McEntire all wanted a piece of that "Americana soul" sound. It’s kinda wild to think about, but Lila grew up in a house in Seattle without a television. While most kids were watching Disney Channel, she was deep in her parents' jazz records and meditation sessions.
That upbringing is exactly why she sounded so different. She wasn't mimicking current pop stars. She was channeling Ella Fitzgerald and Bonnie Raitt.
Why John Legend Was the Perfect Match
Lila chose Team Legend, and it was a match made in heaven. Legend didn't try to "fix" her. Usually, coaches try to push artists out of their comfort zones by giving them big, flashy radio hits. Legend did the opposite. He leaned into her weirdness. He gave her songs like:
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- "Angel From Montgomery" (John Prine/Bonnie Raitt)
- "Fire and Rain" (James Taylor)
- "River" (Joni Mitchell)
By the time the semi-finals rolled around, Lila was essentially the "indie darling" of the season. She wasn't just a contestant; she was an artist with a very specific POV.
The Post-Show Pivot: Life After the Finale
So, she finished in fifth place. In the world of The Voice, fifth place can sometimes be a death sentence for a career. The cameras turn off, the contract ends, and the audience moves on to the next season.
But Lila had a head start.
She actually started recording her debut album, VESSEL, before she even set foot on the Universal Studios lot. She raised over $16,000 via Kickstarter—long before the "Lila Forde The Voice" keyword was even a thing. That grassroots support meant she didn't have to wait for a major label to tell her what to do.
Breaking Down the Debut Album: "VESSEL"
Released in May 2025, VESSEL is basically the anti-pop record. It’s soulful, it’s unpolished in all the right ways, and it sounds like a real band playing in a real room.
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The title track is this hypnotic, four-chord mantra where she repeats, "I’m just a vessel, not a home." It’s deep stuff. She also included a song called "The Masquerade Is Over," which is literally just a live voice memo from one of her old jazz gigs. You can hear the silverware clinking in the background. It’s raw, and honestly, it’s way more authentic than anything you usually hear from reality show alumni.
What Most People Get Wrong About Lila
There’s a common misconception that Lila is just a "folk singer." If you listen closely to her phrasing, though, you’ll realize she’s a jazz musician through and through. She studied Jazz Voice at the USC Thornton School of Music.
That training is her secret weapon. It’s why she can take a song like "Killing Me Softly" and change the rhythm so it feels brand new. She isn't just singing the notes; she’s playing with the space between the notes.
A lot of fans were surprised to find out she’s also a big Kendrick Lamar fan. She’s gone on record saying she admires his storytelling. That mix of influences—jazz school, meditation retreats, and modern hip-hop—is what keeps her from being a "retro" caricature.
Is She Still Touring?
As we move through 2026, Lila has been staying busy on the festival circuit. She’s become a staple at events like Steinyfest and has been spotted playing more intimate venues across Los Angeles and her hometown of Seattle.
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She even performed the national anthem for a Seahawks game recently, which is a pretty big deal for a girl who grew up in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood.
How to Support Independent Artists Like Lila
If you’re a fan of the sound Lila Forde brought to The Voice, there are a few things you can do to actually help her career—and the careers of other "non-mainstream" contestants.
- Buy the Vinyl: Streaming pays fractions of a penny. If you really want to support the art, buy the physical copy of VESSEL.
- Watch the Live Sessions: Her YouTube channel has some incredible "Live in LA" sessions that show off her band's chemistry way better than the produced TV clips.
- Check the Credits: Look at who produced her record (Aidan Carroll) and who played on it. Following the "tree" of musicians often leads you to your next favorite artist.
- Ignore the "Winner" Label: History shows that the people who finish 3rd, 4th, or 5th on these shows often have more longevity because they aren't tied to restrictive "winner" contracts.
Lila Forde proved that you don't have to scream to be heard. You just have to have something real to say.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go listen to "Brick by Brick" on her debut album. It’s arguably the best representation of her "Americana soul" sound and serves as a perfect bridge between her time on television and her life as a touring songwriter.