The Voice Contestant Cassadee Pope: I Don't Think I Have an Unfair Advantage

Former lead singer of pop rock band Hey Monday is competing solo on the NBC singing competition

Cassadee Pope got all four judges to turn their chairs around Tuesday night on The Voice with her stunning rendition of "Torn," but did she have an unfair advantage from the start?

Pope, 22, is the former lead singer of pop rock band Hey Monday and even previously toured with Fall Out Boy, but now she wants to break out as a solo artist. During a conference call today, Cassadee responded to some of her critics who claim that she has a vocal cord up on her competition.

"I definitely think going on tour and performing a lot has really helped me, but the same could be said for everyone else who has ever played shows," Pope told reporters Wednesday. "This just isn't something I've ever experienced before, especially in a competition setting, because a tour definitely isn't anything like that."

But do other contestants this season feel the same way?

"I got great feedback from the contestants and also from my teammates who tweeted and texted me," Cassadee responded. "During my time with everyone before we started shooting the blind auditions, I was just as nervous as the next person who has never played on stage before with a band. I think playing shows and doing regular concerts is a whole different experience."

Speaking of her band, Pope clarified that Hey Monday is just on hiatus: "We're all doing our own things right now."

And it seems there is no bad blood between Cassadee and her band mates.  "I got some texts last night from them," she said. "They are extremely supportive." 

With over 171,000 followers on Twitter, it's safe to say Cassadee Pope has already established a fan base that will help her get pretty far this season.

"I do feel a lot of love from the fans I have already made," she said. "It makes me feel a little more confident, and a little more fearless."

Cassadee Pope, who went with Blake Shelton, isn't the only contestant who had solid experience before competing on The Voice. Back up singer Amanda Brown joined Cee Lo Green's team last night while former Disney singer Jordan Pruitt joined Christina Aguilera on Monday.