Honestly, if you look at the massive, avant-garde spectacles Melanie Martinez puts on today—we’re talking four-eyed alien prosthetics and entire cinematic universes—it’s almost jarring to remember she started out on a swivel-chair singing competition.
But she did.
In 2012, a then-17-year-old from Baldwin, New York, stepped onto the stage of The Voice USA Season 3. She had two-toned hair, a giant bow, and a tambourine between her feet. It was quirky. It was different. And for a show that usually rewards "powerhouse" divas who can belt Whitney Houston, it was a huge risk.
The Audition That Almost Never Happened
Most people don't know that Melanie almost missed her shot entirely. She was driving to the Javits Center for the open call auditions when her mom’s car broke down. In a move that feels like a scene from one of her music videos, they had to hitchhike to find a taxi just to make it to the venue.
Talk about fate.
When she finally got in front of the cameras for the Blind Auditions, she performed a jazzy, stripped-back cover of Britney Spears’ "Toxic." It wasn't the bubblegum pop version everyone knew. It was smoky. Dark. Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, and Blake Shelton all turned their chairs.
She chose Team Adam.
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Why She Was the Black Sheep of Season 3
Melanie wasn't there to be a karaoke star. That was the "problem"—at least for the traditionalists. While other contestants were trying to prove they could hit the highest notes, Melanie was busy rearranging songs like "Seven Nation Army" and "Cough Syrup" to fit her specific, slightly eerie aesthetic.
It worked. For a while.
Her cover of "Seven Nation Army" actually hit the top 10 on the iTunes charts, which, back in 2012, was the ultimate "The Voice" flex because it gave the artist a 10x voting multiplier. She was a fan favorite because she felt like a real artist among a sea of "singers."
But the show's format is a pressure cooker.
By the time she reached the Top 6, the cracks were showing. Not in her talent, but in the fit. Christina Aguilera, who was a coach that season (though not Melanie's), was notoriously critical of her. There was this underlying tension because Melanie refused to "standardize" her voice.
The Elimination That Changed Everything
In week five of the Live Rounds, Melanie performed "The Show" by Lenka and "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Looking back, she’s admitted she hated singing "The Show" because it felt too "cutesy" and didn't match her vibe.
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The public vote didn't save her.
On December 4, 2012, Melanie Martinez was eliminated from The Voice USA, finishing in the Top 6. Adam Levine was left with no artists on his team. It was a shock to her fans, but if you ask her now, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to her career.
Life After the Swivel Chairs
Winning "The Voice" is often a curse. Just look at the winners from the first ten seasons—how many of them are household names?
Melanie took the "Loser Wins" route.
She spent the entirety of 2013 writing. She didn't want to be a "reality TV singer." She struggled to get a label at first because industry execs were wary of the "talent show" stigma. So, she did it herself. She crowdfunded the music video for her debut single, "Dollhouse," which eventually led to her signing with Atlantic Records.
The Cry Baby Era and Beyond
When she dropped the Cry Baby album in 2015, the "Voice girl" was officially dead. She had created a conceptual world that dealt with family dysfunction, body image, and trauma—all through the lens of a "toddler" aesthetic.
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It was polarizing. It was brilliant. It went Platinum.
She followed that up with K-12, a full-length musical film that she directed herself. Most recently, with the Portals era, she’s completely shed the human form, performing as a pink, four-eyed creature. It’s a far cry from the girl with the tambourine in 2012.
Lessons from the Melanie Martinez Journey
If you’re an artist or just a fan of the show, there’s a lot to take away from how she handled her exit.
- Identity over Approval: Melanie stayed "weird" even when the coaches pushed for "normal." That weirdness is exactly why she has a cult following now.
- The Show is a Launchpad, Not a Destination: She used the exposure to build a YouTube audience but didn't rely on the show's producers to "make" her.
- Visuals Matter: She understood that in the modern era, how you look and the "world" you build is just as important as the vocal.
Next Steps for Fans and Artists:
If you're looking to dive deeper into her transition from reality TV to alt-pop icon, go back and watch her "Toxic" audition, then immediately watch the "DEATH" music video. The contrast is the perfect case study in artistic evolution.
For aspiring musicians, the takeaway is simple: Don't be afraid to get eliminated if it means keeping your soul. Melanie Martinez is proof that coming in 6th place can lead to a much bigger throne.