Jackie Foster reflects on ‘The Voice’ and what comes next

Former Poway resident Jackie Foster recently spent some time back in her hometown following her elimination from “The Voice,” reflecting on what she learned during her time on the show and what is next for her.

Foster, who graduated from Poway High School in 2014, made it to the semi-finals of the show and worked with judges Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Alicia Keys.

A welcome home party for Foster, held May 24 at Kaminski’s Sports Lounge and Barbecue, drew a packed house of family, friends and fans to celebrate Foster’s time on the show and her visit home.

She was surprised at the party by Mayor Steve Vaus and Councilman Barry Leonard with a certificate of recognition that May 24 was “Jackie Foster Day” in Poway. Vaus gave a “beautiful speech,” said Foster, which left her “full of tears.” “Never in a million years did I expect that to happen.”

She also held a meet-and-greet, as well as a question-and-answer session and sang a few songs. “It gave me a big smile to see (community members and fans come out to meet her),” she said. “So many people took to me during the show.”

For Foster, despite not winning, “The Voice” was a fun, worthy experience that left her with new friends and new skills, she said.

The biggest pleasant surprise working on the show, she said, was how friendly everyone was. “Sometimes, the music industry can be very catty, especially reality TV,” said Foster. “That was my pre-judgement. But (everyone on “The Voice”) were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. It was the most positive, supportive experience. Everyone was all fighting for the same thing, but all in support of each other.”

Foster also praised the judges she worked with, saying “Every single judge really knows what they’re doing, especially Kelly. The coaches are there for you.”

She added that Levine knew how to change the instrumentals in her songs to make her feel better, and Keys offered words of encouragement and wisdom. “I feel like I transformed into a new woman,” Foster said. “(Keys) woke up my confidence.”

Despite her growth during the show, Foster said she is the same person she was before. “I keep telling everyone I’m the exact same Jackie Foster I was before,” she said. “My head isn’t inflated. My parents taught me to grateful and humble for everything. ‘The Voice’ was life-changing, but not life-altering.” Foster added that she is “shocked and grateful” that everything has happened the way it has.

While home, Foster said she has done several radio interviews and will be spending some down time with friends and family. Next up is a return to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she will be completing her college education during the summer semester. “I’ll be back on the West Coast in January,” she said, “but I’m excited to head back to Boston and make the most of it.”

Foster said she has grown very fond of Boston during her time attending college there and was grateful to not only have support from Poway, but her adopted home of Boston as well.

She is also planning on releasing new, original music with her band, Self Portraits, sometime in June.

Foster said that her advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in music, or any dream at all, is to go out and chase it. “Anybody can consider going out and chasing a dream, but it’s a big mistake not to do so. Life is too short not to try and make it happen. ‘The Voice,’ your dream job, moving across the country, how will you know what will happen if you don’t try? You have the opportunity to make your dream happen, so why not start now? If it’s what you love to do, you should stop at anything (to make it a reality.)”

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