'The Voice': Lana Love talks Broadway, battle rounds, coming home to Naples' TheatreZone

Lana Love ended her run on “The Voice” with the “Frozen II” anthem “Into the Unknown.”

Now, two months later, the former Naples resident finds herself staring into the unknown, herself — and facing a future full of possibilities.

Will she continue her pop-music career? Return to Broadway? Do something else entirely?

She’s still figuring that out, she says.

That’s why she doesn’t even have a permanent home anymore. She wants to be free to travel wherever her career takes her next.

“Right now, I’m a nomad,” Love says and laughs. “I was just subletting, and my stuff’s in storage. And I’m seeing where life takes me next."

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For the moment, though, she has plenty on her plate. She returns this weekend to her former acting home, Naples theater company TheatreZone, for the musical revue “Home for the Holidays.” The show is directed by TheatreZone founder Mark Danni, who gave Lana her start in professional theater.

Next, she returns home to Los Angeles for a Dec. 17 concert with the Golden State Pops Orchestra. Then she flies to Spain for a stage production of Nacho Cano’s “Malinche,” where she’ll perform one of the songs she co-wrote for the musical.

After that?

She’ll go wherever her muse leads her.

“I really don’t know what I’ll do next,” Love says. “And I never do. And that is the mark of an artist. Because we don't really know.”

Love had a lot more to say during her 30-minute interview with The News-Press and The Naples Daily News. Topics included her new pop song, her plans for Broadway and the virus that helped sink her chances on “The Voice.”

Let's start with "The Voice." What happened during the battle rounds? Why didn’t you get picked to move on?

I had a really gnarly virus, pretty much the entire time we were filming the battle rounds. And that’s a HARD song to sing. It really is. In rehearsals, I was struggling a lot with the song.

It was a really challenging thing. I was downing tea in the back right before I went onstage. I wasn’t sure if I was gonna make it, but I did.

Honestly, I’m just grateful that I got to go on. I’m grateful that it was received so well, and that I got to do my job. In sickness and in health, that’s what we have to do as performers.

Of course, I wish it were under different circumstances. But we made it happen.

You’ve called the battle rounds your best-ever performance — and it was REALLY good. So do you have any more thoughts on why you lost the round?

It’s the luck of the draw. I think my strengths lie in Broadway music. I’m a singer singer. … I have a range. Most of the singers on there are tone … meaning the timbre of their voice. They don’t necessarily have that broad range. And it doesn’t do well in pop music today, so I understand. … So I think that was a reason why.

I also think Omar was really strong, you know? (Her battle partner, Omar Jose Cardona, won the round). How many people can sing like that? So I understand.

Was it disappointing to leave "The Voice"?

Of course, there’s some disappointment. But I think I did what I came there to do. And I was really grateful for the opportunity — like truly, truly grateful.

As performers, that’s part of what we sign up for. And to have this massive national exposure is what we dream of. And I got that. I got what I dreamed of. And I choose to look at it that way.

What’s been going on with your career since then? I hear you’ve been in the recording studio.

Yes, I have a new song coming out on YouTube (it came out Dec. 2). … The song is called “Parachute.” It’s really special to me. I want to give people something to remember me by.

This song is about letting go of the things that hold you back in life. And the parachute resembles all the people who are just waiting for you to come down, because they don’t believe you can fly on your own. So I’m hoping this song brings healing and peace and clarity to those who are on the way up.

That’s my goal with the song. I tuned it to 432 hertz, which is a healing frequency. … Most pop music is tuned to 440 hertz, which actually dis-aligns our cellular structure. So I wanted to make something that calmed the soul.

Where did you find that out? Who says 432 hertz is a healing frequency?

Well, science. It’s all over online.

How would you describe the music in the song?

It’s definitely a pop ballad. It’s a ballad, but it hits hard. A man named Mighty Mike produced it (at his home studio in Los Angeles). He works with Kelly Clarkson quite a bit.

Are you planning on recording anything more? What’s going on with your musical career?

Honestly, I’m letting God decide that. I have songs that are ready to go, but I’m at a really interesting point where it could go in many different directions. So I might try Broadway again. I’m really, to be honest with you, totally unsure.

I’m gonna release this song. It means a lot to me. I want to see how it does.

Did "The Voice" open a lot of doors for you?

It did wonders. I garnered an audience that has been steady with me, even after the show. And I think everyone wants new music, so I’m excited to give them this piece of my heart. It’s the best writing I’ve done.

You know, I don’t think I’ll stop at this point (laughs). God keeps pointing me in this direction and I’m following it and listening to Her lead.

“The Voice” judges all said you should be on Broadway. Do you think the TheatreZone show will be a segue back into that world? It’s dipping your toe back in the water, so to speak.

It is! I’m excited to dip my toe back in the water and see how I feel this time.

I think last time I was in New York, I got really burned out. I was there for seven years. And I did it! I mean, I toured Off Broadway. I toured the world. I’ve been to over 40 countries.

I had a really amazing career in theater. And I think if I go back to it now, it’d be different. I’ve lived a lot more. I’ve seen a lot more.

Plus you have name recognition now. People know you from “The Voice.” That’s a great marketing tool.

It does NOT hurt. And I’m excited to come back and work with Mark again (at TheatreZone). He was really an impetus for my career. I thoroughly enjoy working with him and (actor-choreographer) Karen (Molnar Danni) and (TheatreZone musical director) Charlie Fornara.

And I’m excited to just come and really give back. Because I remember when I was sitting in his class and Paige Miles (of Naples) was on “American Idol.” And she came back and did a show (at TheatreZone).

And I thought, as a kid, “Oh my gosh, I can do that!” And I did!  I want to give that. I want to be that person that gives back like that [In addition to the show, Love plans to talk to students at TheatreZone's home campus, Community School of Naples].

I didn’t have parents in the industry. I didn’t grow up with that. So every lesson I learned was hard-earned. But I stayed the course and will continue to do so. And I want the kids to know that they can do it, too.

What can you tell me about the TheatreZone show?

The show is just, like, full of Christmas spirit. And the cast is so talented.

The tunes are Christmas songs — some of which I’ve never heard of. There are some pop tunes. We have a Britney Spears tune in there and a Meghan Trainor tune. And I love them! They’re really fun and off the beaten path.

And then we have “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. You just can’t go wrong with that one.

How do you think it’ll feel to be back on that stage and playing for Naples audiences again?

You know, they raised me. They really raised me. So it’s like full-circle moment.

It’s really emotional for me, because I’ve been through so much since I left that stage last time. I’ve built an entire career. And now I get to come back and kind of just tie a bow on it in this beautiful way.

For Christmas!

Yeah, for Christmas! It’s literally home for the holidays (laughs). That’s the title.

— This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity and clarity.

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

What: TheatreZone’s “Home for the Holidays”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-11

Where: TheatreZone in the G&L Theatre at The Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples.

Tickets: $50-$85

Info: 888-966-3352 or theatre.zone

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: The Voice: Lana Love on new song, battle rounds, Naples holiday show