A local musician will soon grace the spotlight of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Katie Wheatley, of Owasso, recently announced on her Facebook page that she auditioned for this season of the long-running hit talent show.
Her blind audition will air sometime in the coming weeks following the kickoff of the show’s 24th season this month.
Wheatley co-leads worship and serves as the creative arts administrative associate at First Church in Owasso.
She follows in the footsteps of previous Owasso contestants, Gracee Shriver and Valarie Collins-Harding .
Shriver performed on “The Voice” in 2019, advancing to the show’s live top 20 eliminations under Team Blake. Collins-Harding advanced to the knockout round under Team Legend in 2022.
This season is also hosting Jordan Rainer , a musician from Atoka, who joined Team Reba following a successful blind audition during the show’s premiere.
“The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays 8/7c on NBC and on Peacock TV.
Photos: Meet these Owasso-area residents who have graced the national spotlight
Samantha Yestrebsky: Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Owasson Samantha Yestrebsky, whose recent work involves screen time on the hit comedy-drama TV series, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and the coming-of-age web series, “Mosaic,” has always had a knack for the performing arts.
The 21-year-old aspiring actress has come a long way since moving to New York only two years ago to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Her latest claim to fame came with a background role on season 2, episode 9 of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” in which she played a telephone operator during a telethon.
Story: Aspiring Owasso actress Samantha Yestrebsky graces stage, silver screen
Photo: J. Demetrie Photography
Gracee Shriver: NBC’s “The Voice”
Gracee Shriver, a 16-year-old from Owasso, made her television debut when she auditioned for coaches on NBC’s “The Voice” on Oct. 15, 2019. She did so well that Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson pleaded for Shriver to join their teams.
Shriver sang Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” on Monday night’s episode and caused first Clarkson and then Stefani to turn their chairs around.
Clarkson said, “I feel like I’m going to go nuts if you don’t pick me,” at which point Shriver chose her as her personal coach in the competition.
Story: Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani duel for Owasso teen on 'The Voice'
Photo: Justin Lubin/NBC
NBC
Lacey Stout: Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America”
Owasson Lacey Stout burns food, leaves out key ingredients and brings a poor presentation to the plate. There is, however, a silver lining to her shortcomings in the kitchen: They landed her on the 12th season of “Worst Cooks in America,” which premiered in Jan. 2018.
The show pitted Stout against 15 other contestants from across the county in a friendly competition to transform them from kitchen disasters into skilled cooks.
In the show’s first episode, hosts Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence get to know the contestants by having them prepare a meal they would normally make for their family, and Stout said her plate, a chicken dish, was “tragic, super tragic.”
Story: Owasso woman to compete on Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’ in January
Photo: Food Network
Reese Mishler: Warner Bros.’ “The Gallows”
Nearly 10 years removed from starring in theater productions at Owasso High School, Reese Mishler moved from making short films and appearing in a webseries in Hollywood to being one of the leads in “The Gallows,” a horror film that opened in 2015.
Since then, the actor has fielded numerous offers and has appeared in the psychological thriller “FOG CITY” and the Syfy adventure “CAR 86.”
His other works include: 2016’s “The Harrow,” 2017’s “Candyland” and this year’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Story: Owasso actor Reese Mishler graduates into first major film role with 'The Gallows'
Photo: Warner Bros.
Chris Cleveland: Stars Go Dim
Owasso native Chris Cleveland is the face of the Christian band Stars Go Dim, which he founded in late 2007. The band has grown to popularity with songs like “Stars” and “Walking Like Giants” as well as its hit single “You Are Loved.”
Cleveland, who was raised in Owasso and now lives in Franklin, Tenn., has had the privilege of traveling the world, bringing the hope of God to others and encouraging them in their Christian walk through his music and the message behind it.
“I’m proud to be a Ram … and I’m proud of what I’ve seen Owasso grow into,” Cleveland said. “This message of hope and of identity and value and worth and love, I just encourage Owasso to keep being that for each other.”
Story: Owasso musician performs with other Christian artists on 15th annual K-LOVE Cruise
Photo: WORD Entertainment
Tom Mortimer: NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior”
Owasson Tom Mortimer has competed on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” four times, dedicating his runs to his son, Landon, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in March 2018. Here, the father-son duo is pictured at Mortimer's Owasso gym, Airbenders, in Oct. 2019.
Art Haddaway
News Editor
Kendra Tyler: Nat Geo’s “The Long Road Home”
U.S. Army Spc. Evan Tyler and his wife Kendra of Owasso, currently stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, recently got a chance to be a part of a special televised program honoring their fellow troops.
While Evan was away on deployment about a year ago, Kendra was paying homage to his, and others’, service by starring as an extra in National Geographic’s “The Long Road Home,” an eight-part military mini-series that premiered in Nov. 2017.
Kendra starred in an emotional scene in Episode 7, which explores the story of Sgt. Eric Bourquin, a soldier who joined the Army to escape an unstable and violent home. She was one of several extras who reacted to him being taken away from his parents by police.
Story: Owasso military spouse stars in National Geographic's mini-series 'The Long Road Home'
Photo: Courtesy of the Tylers
Tanea Brooks, Impact Wrestling
Tanea Brooks is an American professional wrestler, model, actress and dancer. She is best known for her work with Impact Wrestling under the ring name “Rebel.”
Brooks, born and raised in Owasso, became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader at the age of 18 after a year as a University of Tulsa dance team member, in which she appeared on the cover of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ swimsuit calendar.
She eventually moved to Los Angeles to further her career in acting, modeling and dancing.
Story: Owasso talent competes with dance group for top 24 spot
Photo: Courtesy of Tanea Brooks
Gary Guffey: NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior
Gary Guffey auditioned for “American Ninja Warrior” during its 8th season in Oklahoma City in 2016. He grew up in Skiatook, but lives in Collinsville and graduated from Collinsville High School.
With a background in mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Guffey was prepared for the challenges of the course. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to conquer the rotating logs.
Out of the 125 people, Guffey was among only about six Oklahomans to compete in the auditions, which were held on May 13 aired on June 20, 2016.
Story: Gary Guffey, Jr. competes on American Ninja Warrior
Photo: Courtesy of Gary Guffey
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