Exclusive Interview: Talking video games with The Voice contestant Hannah Kirby

I'm not ashamed to admit that I watch my fair share of reality television, especially the singing competitions. Aside from the amazing voices you discover, the contestants on these shows typically have fascinating backstories. For one contestant on this season of The Voice, that story revolves around video games.

Avid video gamer Hannah Kirby stole my attention not only with her dazzling voice, but with her passion for video games. After Blake Shelton claimed her for his team's final spot in the blind auditions, Kirby went on to lose in the elimination duet to Sarah Potenza. Her surprise impressive performance, however, convinced Pharrell to steal her, keeping her alive in the competition for at least another week.

I recently had a chance to chat with Hannah over the phone about her experience on The Voice, her passion for video games and how it has helped her in this competition, her recent discovery of social media, and lots of other random topics.

So Hannah Kirby, how many times have people brought up that game when talking to you?

Actually, somebody on Twitter made a comment about how they like my voice and everything, and then they said “Obviously, look at what I changed my profile picture to,” and it was Kirby from the video game — the little pink blob. And I’ve gotten that a lot actually. I’m not mad about it though, I think it’s awesome.

Are you a big Nintendo fan?

Well, I really mainly play Xbox and PC, but the first console I ever owned was [Nintendo] Gamecube. I got it for Christmas, I was so excited. I pretty much played The Legend of Zelda for like five years nonstop. That and Mario. That was pretty much it, but I never had a NIntendo 64. I played it at other peoples’ houses, but The Legend of Zelda was my main interest for pretty much my entire childhood. That game was pretty much my life. I would go to school and then I would come home and I’d play The Legend of Zelda.

What’s it like on The Voice? What’s a typical daily routine for you?

It depends. Occasionally we’ll have an off day, but it’s still shooting. It takes a long time to get everything done. There’s hair and makeup which takes forever. You see the final product and it’s like boom, there I am in my outfit with my hair, but it takes a lot of time to get there. There’s a lot of preparation.

Well, now that you’re a big celebrity on The Voice, how has that impacted your gaming?

I don’t have as much time as I would like to to play video games. I do take my computer with me when I’m in California and I play a lot of Baldur’s Gate when I can. But it’s worth it, and I know that I’m going to have a lot more opportunities in the future where I have those days off and I can play video games in my pajamas.

Aside from Baldur’s Gate are you playing any competitive games? Because The Voice is a competitive show, and video games can be competitive. Have video games helped you with that?

My favorite types of game are role-playing games. Honestly, most of my friends are not big gamers. I will say my favorite game to play competitively — and I’m not a super competitive person, I like to compete against myself — I like to play Destiny.

I don’t feel like it’s super competitive. I guess for some people it probably is, I don’t know, I’m not a super competitive person. But if I’m going to play multiplayer and get the headset on, Destiny is something that I really like to play. And also Mass Effect’s multiplayer! I’m a big Mass Effect fan.

Did you play the third one?

Yes, I’ve played all three, and I play them over and over again. Mass Effect and Dragon Age, I play religiously.

And you’re aware there’s a new Mass Effect in development?

Yes, I am! I’m watching all the news that’s going on about it. I’m super excited about whatever they’re going to do. I think they’re going away from the Commander Shepard character so I’m excited to see what that game’s going to be like.

I’m probably going to get killed for this, but I’ve never played the Mass Effect series. Everyone in the office has, but I’ve never really gotten into it. I feel like I’m missing out big time.

Honestly, I’ll say this — I played Dragon Age and a friend of mine said, well, BioWare makes Mass Effect also. I was like, okay, if it’s BioWare then I think I’ll try it. The first game, it took me a while to get into the swing of things and I honestly felt like I sucked at first. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I did — I love that game. That’s my favorite kind of, I probably shouldn’t call it a shooter, but that’s my favorite kind of game.

With The Voice, now that you’ve been on television now, how has your life changed now aside from video games? Are you just recognized by everybody now? How does it feel to be a celebrity?

I feel like people are calling me a celebrity, maybe it’ll take me a while to feel that myself, but I do get free doughnuts in my town now which is totally awesome. And my social media has really grown which I’m really excited about because I live in east Texas, a little ways outside of Dallas, and living out here I feel like there’s not much opportunity for me to grow my fanbase. That’s one of my favorite things about The Voice is that it gives you an opportunity. No matter how long you’re on the show, it lets you get yourself out there and grow your fan base. It’s just an awesome opportunity, and I’m very excited.

You mentioned you’re from Texas, are you a Cowboys fan?

I’m not super into American football. I like soccer. My dad is a super huge Cowboys fan.

See, he’s doing it right.

Yes, he’s doing it right! He’s used to it. He knows all the statistics and everything. Sometimes I watch with him, but I don’t really understand what’s going on.

Ah, I’m a huge Cowboys fan so everytime I meet someone from Texas I have to ask them that even though the state is huge.

[Laugher] Yes, it is.

Have you been able to travel much to different gaming conventions, like PAX or anything?

I haven’t! I want to go so, so bad. I’ve been to Dallas Comic-Con and there’s a little bit of reference to the gaming community, but not much. I really, really want to go to check out all the new stuff. I’m really sad that I wasn’t able — wasn’t there one recently? Because there’s a game in development called Pillars of Eternity by Obsidian, and it’s going to have that sort of Baldur’s Gate vibe, and I’m so excited for that game. I wish I could’ve checked it out.

You should definitely go! Now that you’re a star they should fly you out.

They should! They totally should! Give a shout out to The Voice and to all the gamers.

You could be “the voice” of the gamers!

When I get some free time, I’m going to do it.I’m going to get my plane ticket and go. I’m just lazy. I’m on the couch, man!

Well, you know, now that there’s a new Rock Band announced — you saw they announced Rock Band 4?

Well, I’m a little behind, honestly, except for stuff like the RPGs that I’m religiously following. I didn’t know that though, so that’s awesome.

I imagine as a singer you’d be a professional Rock Band singer…

I played Guitar Hero because I also had PlayStation. I love all consoles, let me say that. I mainly play Xbox, but I played Guitar Hero in high school all the time. And I can’t play guitar at all. I’m impaired or something. I can not do it. But I can play Guitar Hero like a boss. Even on hard difficulty I can do it. It was happening.

See, I can’t do that. I like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but I’m also impaired. My sausage fingers can’t do that.

Oh no! [Laugher] I’ve got tiny fingers, so maybe it helps me.

Maybe, I don’t know. I’m just not good which is weird because I used to play bass so I don’t understand. Maybe it’s all the buttons and everything.

Well see, I can’t even play bass or guitar or anything like that so maybe it works if you can play guitar you can’t play Guitar Hero.

Maybe, we’ll go with that. Let’s use that excuse.

Let’s do that, yes.

I think you should take the stage with a Guitar Hero guitar.

That would be so awesome!

You need to represent! Are there any other gamers on the show or are you the only representing us?

I think I’m the only one that’s so hardcore. A lot of people will play Mario and that sort of thing, but I feel like I’m the only one who will stay up until five in the morning, playing Dragon Age, with like snack wrappers all around me. And it’s not a pretty sight because I’ve been in there for so long.

Ah yes, so you are the stereotypical gamer. You’re the staying up until five in the morning, Mountain Dew type of person.

Yes! Mountain Dew! I didn’t even know that was a thing, but yes, that’s what I drink when I play video games. Or Dr. Pepper because I’m from Texas. But when I’m playing video games, I’m drinking Mountain Dew.

Wait, is Dr. Pepper big in Texas?

Dr. Pepper originated in Texas.

Really!? Wow, I learned something new today… Okay, so there’s a fun little fact…

I mean, I feel like I am that stereotypical gamer, but I feel like if you say you’re a big gamer — I feel like if you are, you’re not supposed to say it. I don’t know if that’s true. I always felt like if you say you’re a nerd, then technically you’re not. I don’t know if that’s a thing or not…

Ugh! I mean, it is on the internet, but the internet is stupid so I think you should just embrace it and whatever.

Yes!

I don’t know, are you familiar with GamerGate and all that stuff?

Well, I didn’t even have a Twitter until like maybe six months ago. And I got a Facebook late too. When I was in high school I thought I was too cool for social media which is really bad for a musician, so I’m a little bit behind on everything that’s happening on Twitter, but I’m trying to catch up.

Oh, you’re in for a big whirlwind. Twitter is a crazy place.

I like it! It’s probably my favorite social media platform. I enjoy them all, but it’s fun because you can just say little random things.

And that’s fun, but then you get the random crazies who just attack you for no reason.

Well, I haven’t seen that much of it yet, but I try to stay clear of it. If I see something negative, I just divert my eyes quickly and pretend I didn’t see it. I live in denial! [Laugher]

[Laughter] I don’t know if that’s…

Only positivity in my life!

You know what, the video game industry can use more positivity like that.

Yea, totally, totally!

Yes, so you can be “the voice” of that! See what I did there? So closing out, what’s it like being on The Voice — snagging that final spot for Blake Shelton and then getting stolen by Pharrell? What kind of adrenaline rush do you get from that? Is it comparable to a crazy raid in Destiny?

I’d say that I actually have some of the same emotions playing video games that I do when I’m on stage. Being on stage is my favorite thing to do. It’s where I feel most comfortable as myself. Singing to me is like telling a story, and I think video games are the best medium for telling the story because you actually get to take part in that story. You get to play that character and fight the battle, so I have the same sort of adrenaline on stage as I do when I play video games.

The whole situation — actually getting on the show in the blind and then being stolen by Pharrell — I’m just so happy to still be on the show and have the opportunity to continue to sing and tell stories that I love, and represent the gamer community.

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You can watch Hannah Kirby on The Voice on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

You can keep up with Hannah's latest ventures through her Facebook, Twitter, or personal website.