'I always knew he had talent:' Friends, family root for NC natives on 'The Voice'

Voting opened Monday night for the top 12 contestants on “The Voice” as two North Carolina natives hope to advance to the next round.

Chapel Hill native Rayshun Lamarr had the chance to sing first Monday night, performing “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta.

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Lamarr is on Team Adam, who praised the performance and said he considers Lamarr to be a frontrunner in the competition.

Family and friends held a watch party Monday night at the Rena Community Center to cheer him on.

“I always knew he had it in him, without a doubt, but to see him on stage, oh my god,” Lamarr’s cousin Tamika Farrington said.

Lamarr now lives in the Maryland area, but his father still lives in Chapel Hill, where a second party was held at the Hargraves Community Center.

Meanwhile, Lee County High School opened its doors for community members to watch Sanford native Britton Buchanan compete.

Buchanan, who says he is heavily influenced by classic rock, chose the song “Small Town” by John Mellencamp. It’s a song he said felt appropriate, considering his upbringing.

Buchanan’s former drama team classmates and teachers said they knew that if anyone would make it to the national stage, it would be him.

“It’s absolutely incredible watching. Last year, he was on our stage. He was Danny when we did ‘Grease’ and then all of a sudden, here he is,” said drama teacher Ron Coley. “I mean, I always knew he had the talent, but to see it happen is just crazy.”

Coley said Buchanan is making his hometown proud.

"For our community, I mean, I'm seeing signs all over the place, promotional things, people taking about it constantly," he said.

Buchanan and Lamarr will find out if they will advance to the next round during the results show Tuesday night on WRAL-TV.