Rigby’s own Owen Uffens lands a spot on ‘The Voice’
Published at | Updated at
RIGBY — An 18-year-old Rigby musician is getting the chance of a lifetime after earning a spot as a contestant on the new season of NBC’s “The Voice.” His hometown community will soon be able to cheer him on.
Owen Uffens, a Rigby High School graduate who is currently studying marketing at Brigham Young University-Idaho, said the opportunity came somewhat unexpectedly.
Uffens performs with the Idaho Falls-based music group SOS. He said a music producer saw one of his performances and reached out to his music director to see if he would be interested in auditioning for “The Voice.”
Country singer, ‘The Voice’ runner-up Emily Ann Roberts answers 7 Questions with Emmy
“I said, ‘Yeah, of course. That sounds super freakin’ dope!’” Uffens said. “I’ve always been a big fan of the show.”
Music has been a big part of Uffens’ life for as long as he can remember. He sings and plays piano and guitar and has performed with the local bands Cereal Surfing and Yard Sale.
Uffens was just 15 when he released his debut single, “Einstein,” in 2024. At the time, he said he hoped to make music his full-time career someday.
Since then, Uffens has continued writing, recording and performing. He now has five songs available on streaming platforms, with his latest, “It’s as Real as You Make It,” released in March. The one-minute, 44-second instrumental is a departure from his other releases, which feature vocals. He also shares plenty of unreleased original music on social media.
RELATED | Idaho singer dazzles judges on ‘The Voice,’ puts spotlight on ‘beautiful’ Gem State
One of his original songs, “Awake,” which he wrote with Cereal Surfing, reflects on what he wants to do with his life and where he hopes music might take him.
After being contacted about “The Voice,” Uffens began the audition process and submitted three videos. Then he went back to his everyday life and waited.
Eventually, his phone rang. The caller ID said, “Potential Spam.” Uffens answered anyway and decided to have a little fun with whoever was on the other end.
“I answered the call thinking it was spam and was messing with them, being funny and disguising my voice,” he said.
But the call wasn’t spam. It was “The Voice,” calling to tell him he was going to be on the show.
“I was stoked!” Uffens said.
Uffens traveled to California over the summer for filming and the show’s blind auditions. He described the experience as an exciting opportunity and a great outlet for his music, but said one of the best parts was meeting other young musicians pursuing the same dream.
“All the artists and people I connected with, we will be connected for life and will always follow each other’s careers,” he said.
Exactly what happened when Uffens stepped onto “The Voice” stage will have to remain a mystery for now.
Because of a confidentiality agreement, Uffens cannot reveal details about his audition or what happened during filming until the episodes air.
Social media posts have circulated, suggesting that Uffens will appear in the Sept. 21 season premiere. Uffens said that while the new season begins Sept. 21, he does not know which episode or episodes will feature his appearance.
This season’s panel of coaches on NBC’s “The Voice” includes returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine, along with newcomers Queen Latifah and country singer Riley Green. Carson Daly returns as host of the long-running singing competition, which begins its 30th season Sept. 21.
In the meantime, friends, family members and fellow east Idahoans will simply have to tune in and watch.
No matter what viewers eventually see unfold on television, Uffens said he hopes his experience encourages other young people from small communities to pursue opportunities that may initially seem out of reach.
“It’s not impossible to do the things that seem impossible,” he said.
Fans can follow Uffens on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, and listen to his music on Spotify.