Sydney Sterlace: With The Voice Season 26 nearing its finale, only five contestants remain. The competition has slimmed down from the Top 8 to the final five, making it the perfect moment to dive into the stories of the remaining singers. One of them will be crowned the winner, and 16-year-old Sydney Sterlace, Team Gwen’s lone representative in the final rounds, might just be the one to take home the trophy. Here’s everything you need to know about Sydney as the season heads toward its December 10 conclusion.
Who is Sydney Sterlace the Artist from The Voice?
Sydney Sterlace, a rising star from West Seneca, New York (a small town near Buffalo), didn’t grow up in a musical family, but her natural talent was evident from a young age. Her family has always been her biggest cheerleaders. Sydney began performing in local talent shows when she was just 7 years old, and by the time she turned 10, she had already won first place in the Erie County Fair talent competition. Over the years, she has had the privilege of singing the national anthem at a Buffalo Bills game and has performed it many times for the Buffalo Bisons, the city’s Minor League baseball team.
Sydney Sterlace recently won a TikTok challenge organized by BroadwayEvolved, which earned her a week-long Broadway workshop in New York City. There, she had the chance to train with Betsy Wolfe, a Tony-nominated actress for her role in & Juliet in 2023.
At the time of her Blind Audition, Sydney was just 15, but she’s now celebrating her 16th birthday.
Sydney Sterlace’s Experience on The Voice
Sydney Sterlace quickly established herself as a frontrunner on The Voice. For her Blind Audition, she wowed the coaches with a stunning rendition of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” earning the rare honor of a 4-chair turn. She chose Gwen Stefani as her coach, likely drawn to the praise Stefani gave her, likening her voice to that of Rodrigo’s. The coaches were all taken aback by Sydney’s mature and polished vocals, remarking that she sounded far more seasoned than her years might suggest.
In the Battles, Sydney Sterlace was matched up against fellow Team Gwen member Sloane Simon. They performed “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish. Although Gwen Stefani initially had some reservations about Sydney’s age during rehearsals, those concerns vanished the moment Sydney took the stage. Stefani ultimately chose Sydney as the winner of the battle.
“I had to go with Sydney,” Stefani shared. “She’s only 15, but she manages the lyrics so well and brings such a dynamic presence. When she’s in her element, it’s incredible. She really showed growth since the rehearsals.”
Sydney Sterlace kept her momentum going in the Knockouts with an emotional performance of “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. After hearing her sing, Snoop Dogg made a confident remark that might just come true.
“You’ve got the sound of someone who could win this thing!” the rapper said.
In the Playoffs, Sydney Sterlace performed Taylor Swift’s “betty,” securing her spot in the Live Rounds.
On the first night of the Live Shows, a strikingly backlit Sydney took the stage to perform “when the party’s over” by Billie Eilish. To discover who wins The Voice, be sure to tune in for the finale on Tuesday, December 10, at 9/8c on NBC, with a next-day stream on Peacock.
3 Key Things to Know About The Voice Finalist Sydney Sterlace
1. She’s Been Singing for Years
Although Sydney Sterlace auditioned for The Voice before she could even drive, she’s far from a newcomer to music. She started participating in local talent shows at just 7 years old, winning first place in the Erie County Fair talent competition by the time she was 10.
2. Her Childhood Favorite Was “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Sydney Sterlace’s passion for singing began at a very young age. At just 3 years old, her mom noticed something special about her voice and decided to enroll her in formal vocal lessons.
Reflecting on her early years in an October interview with Buffalo News, Sterlace recalled: “My mom always says she’d hear me singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ around the house. She told me that my voice sounded different from other kids, so she signed me up for lessons. And from there, I just kept singing.”
3. Prior to The Voice, She Covered Songs by Megan Moroney and Kelsea Ballerini
Sydney Sterlace has consistently favored young female singer-songwriters throughout her The Voice journey, choosing tracks from Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish. This trend also shows up on her social media, where she’s shared her own versions of songs by artists like Adele and Kelsea Ballerini, showcasing her diverse musical taste.
