San Diego

‘Dream Come True': Encinitas Teen Makes Top 13 of The Voice

The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC 7 at 8 p.m.

There are only 12 contestants standing in the way of a San Diego victory in this season of "The Voice."

Kat Hammock, 18, is living the dream after the Encinitas woman was selected to be on Team Blake of the popular singing competition, placing in the top 13 of contestants.

“It was so surreal. I can’t even put words to describe it,” Hammock said. “I am just so blessed and honored to be in this group.”

Hammock told NBC 7 when country-singer-turned-judge Blake Shelton turned his chair, she couldn't believe the experience.

“I still can’t believe that Blake turned for me. Honestly, I’d always wanted him as a coach if he was to turn for me, and to have him turn around and give such a wonderful pitch for me was just a dream come true,” Hammock said.

And as if conquering a national stage wasn’t enough, Hammock also got to meet another role model along the way – Taylor Swift.

“Taylor Swift was the first concert I ever went to, so having her also is just – I still can’t believe any of this has happened,” she said.

Hammock began singing in her church choir in the fourth grade and devoted herself to learning piano shortly after.

She said she grew up listening to the 60s and 70s music that her parents played.

Hammock performed again Monday night, and will need the help of voters to survive when the field is cut down to 11.

She sang a song devoted to her grandparents and got rave reviews from Shelton as well as Gwen Stefani.

Back home, a large group gathered at Tower 13 in Cardiff to watch her performance. Childhood friend Julianna Crowley was beyond impressed.

"To hear her get those kind of comments is so, like, fulfilling and so, like, heartwarming to, like, see her exceed past any of our expectations. Who would've known that she would be a star on 'The Voice?'"

The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC 7 at 8 p.m. Voting is open until Tuesday at 4 a.m.

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