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Loyola grad shines on ‘The Voice’

Loyola alum Jeffery Austin (BASC ’13) admitted at his audition on “The Voice” this summer that he hadn’t performed in front of an audience in over six years.

The former public relations worker will be performing a lot more frequently now after finishing in fourth place on the hit NBC singing show, which wrapped up Tuesday night.

Austin, born Jeffery McClelland, attended St. Charles North High School before enrolling at Loyola, where he majored in advertising and public relations.

“It's very weird. I kind of put music on hold and completely focused on a professional career other than, you know, going into music,” Austin said in a conference call to reporters earlier this month.

Encouraged by the response from fans, the 24-year-old singer wowed the crowd weekly with his sophisticated notes, unique tone of voice, and heartfelt ballads. Austin credits Sam Smith and John Legend as inspirations. 

For what’s next, Austin said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune that he plans to pursue a career in music.

“Before this show, I was working at a desk in public relations, and now I can’t see myself doing anything other than performing,” he said. “The confidence it’s given me to go for my dreams is my favorite part of this whole experience.”