Editor watches roommate on The Voice

The moment Tje Austin's red skinny jeans and PUMA shoes appeared on the TV screen, I knew it was time for his audition on NBC's The Voice, the new singing competition that judges solely on contestants' voices.

He wore a similar look the first time he walked into my house in response to my roommate ad last year.

Austin has always been the roommate who's never home because he's out rehearsing or performing. Although, I always know when he's home because I can hear him singing around the house.

It was still a strange experience on April 26 to see my afro-wearing roommate singing on stage in front of Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, and Blake Shelton during the premiere episode of The Voice.

Earlier this year, Austin casually mentioned during our morning chat around the coffee pot that he auditioned for this show. There weren't many details at the time, but all he knew was that he would only be judged by his voice. It was never mentioned again until I caught a glimpse of his fro during one of the commercials.

The blind audition is the first of the three stages in The Voice, where each singer performs as the four judges sit with their backs toward them.

If the judges like what they hear, they hit a button in front of them and turn around to ask them to join their team of eight. Then, the contestant decides which judge they want to work with as a coach for the duration of the show.

If only one judge turns around, the decision is made.

During Austin's blind audition which he performed Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are," he had to choose between Levine or Green. Austin chose Green.

"I was always hoping that Cee-Lo would turn around. I've been a big fan of Cee-Lo for a long time and especially with this new album that he has. I do his covers at my show," said Austin.

The next phase for Austin will be the battle rounds, where he'll compete against another teammate by singing the same song. Green will then decides which contestant from his team will head to the final phase, which is the live performance. The television audience then votes on who will advance.

The winner of The Voice receives the grand prize of a recording contract and $100,000, not a bad opportunity for the local R&B singer who performed at coffee shops, bars and business lunches before all this happened.

"I appreciate everything that I've done from the coffee shop gigs to the gigs where I didn't get paid," said Austin. "I may not have been ready to do this three years ago... I feel like this is my time."

Even though Austin has completed his blind audition, I'm still going to tune in at 8 p.m. each Tuesday to see how the competition unfolds.

I'll be rooting for Austin to win that record deal, even if it means he has to move out.