Wall's Jessica Poland Advances On The Voice

Jessica Poland, Wall High School graduate and lifelong township resident, battled it out on national television Monday, beating out a competitor on NBC’s The Voice and advancing to the next round of the competition.

Poland, singing under the name Charlotte Sometimes, sang “Pumped Up Kicks,’’ by Foster The People against a teammate to advance to the next round of live performances.

Country star Blake Shelton chose following the battle, where Poland and another teammate sang the same song before a studio audience and the four judges.

“Charlotte got up there and you can’t take your eyes off her, which is what you need to make a star,’’ Shelton said before choosing Poland to continue in the show.

Judge Christina Aguliera said that Poland seemed very comfortable on stage, while Cee Lo Green said her performance was “sexy’’ and that he liked her attitude.

Following the performance, Poland was in tears, expressing her relief and gratitude.

Poland, who was watching her performance at her parents’ Wall Township home, said it was somewhat awkward to watch herself perform.

“The whole thing was kind of overwhelming,’’ Poland said. “But ultimately it was fun, and I was here with my family watching it.’’

Poland will leave Wall for Los Angeles at the end of the month, just ahead of the live performances, which begin April 2, she said.

Although Poland, 24, now lives in New York City, she is a lifelong resident of Wall. She attended , and graduated from in 2006. Her parents, Hartson and Tracy Poland, live in North Wall.

She’s continuing a promising singing career. She has released a studio album, three EPs and performed on the 2008 Warped Tour, among other accomplishments.