Chloe Kohanski

Chloe Kohanski – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Chloe Kohanski (born December 29, 1993) — American rock singer-songwriter who won The Voice Season 13 and later rebranded as chloe mk. Explore her musical journey, influence, style, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Chloe Kohanski (also known as chloe mk) is an American rock and pop-rock singer-songwriter who came to prominence after winning Season 13 of The Voice in 2017. Her style blends classic rock sensibilities with modern pop, and her story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and staying true to her artistic voice.

Early Life and Background

Chloe Kohanski was born on December 29, 1993, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Lebanon, Tennessee, east of Nashville.

Her early musical exposure included contemporary Christian music and bluegrass in her upbringing. Led Zeppelin and vocalists such as Robert Plant, Susan Tedeschi, and others.

She also formed a band called Cumberland Blue in her earlier years, which played jazz/folk festival circuits around Nashville.

Before focusing fully on music, Chloe briefly considered a more conventional path: she enrolled in college with the idea of becoming an English teacher, though she later realized her true passion was music. Starbucks in Lebanon for a period.

Career and Achievements

The Voice and Rise to Fame

Chloe auditioned for The Voice in 2017 (Season 13), singing “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac for her blind audition. Team Miley.

In the Knockouts, she was eliminated by Miley Cyrus’s decision, but both Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton opted to steal her. Chloe chose to join Team Blake.

On December 19, 2017, she was declared winner of Season 13, becoming the first female “stolen” artist to win the show.

Post-Voice, Name Change & Releases

After The Voice, Chloe was signed to Republic Records. “Come This Far,” was released on May 22, 2018.

In 2019, she adopted a new stage name, chloe mk (stylized lowercase) while continuing her musical career. “To Be Young” and later an EP titled Fantasy (released July 19).

She also embarked on a tour starting June 2019, opening for Sizzy Rocket, with stops in cities including Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and New York.

In 2023, Chloe appeared again on The Voice, performing in the Season 23 finale during Blake Shelton’s last episode.

Her genres are often described as rock, pop-rock, new wave — drawing on classic rock roots but aiming for contemporary relevance.

Historical & Musical Context

Chloe’s ascent via The Voice places her in the lineage of artists whose careers are catalyzed by televised music competitions. But unlike many who lean toward mainstream pop, she has consistently embraced a rock-forward identity—a somewhat less trodden path in mainstream music in recent years.

Her shift to chloe mk signals a transition from an initial “voice show winner” identity toward an artist with greater autonomy and distinct branding.

Her musical influences (rock, blues, classic artists) juxtapose with modern tastes and digital platforms, allowing her to bridge generational sounds.

Personality and Artistic Identity

Chloe Kohanski projects authenticity, introspection, and a rootedness in her musical values. She often speaks about the struggle of self-definition, the pressure to conform, and the importance of retaining one’s voice in an industry that rewards trend-following.

Her style typically emphasizes emotion over showmanship—less about vocal acrobatics and more about vibe, tone, and feeling. She has acknowledged that she may not have an extremely wide vocal range, but she refuses to let that define or limit her artistic expression.

She also has spoken about the challenge of “existing unapologetically”—feeling pressure sometimes for just being who she is, rather than who others expect her to be.

Chloe also values timelessness in her music: she wants her original songs to feel enduring rather than overly trendy.

Famous Quotes of Chloe Kohanski

Here are notable quotes and reflections attributed to Chloe:

1. “I just claim to do what I do, which is to sing old songs and try to make them cool.”

2. “I sort of felt like being young was normally written about as being very fun and light-hearted … but … there’s a lot of songs about how hard it is when you don’t really know who you are or what you want.”

3. “It’s not like you have two sets of vocal cords. You only have one, and if you exhaust it from talking, then you’re also affecting your singing.”

4. “I will never forget the day David Bowie passed away … I woke up in the middle of the night and it was the first thing on my phone.”

5. “I think the most important thing is you need to have a very, very clear idea of who you are as an artist before you let other people tell you who you are.”

6. “This industry will shape you and mold you … if you compromise yourself … you’re not really gonna know who you are anymore.”

7. “The Voice changed my life.”

8. “I’ve always loved pop music. I’ve always loved indie, even electronic, even trap.”

These quotes offer a window into her mindset: wrestling with identity, protecting integrity, and finding balance between influence and self-direction.

Lessons from Chloe Kohanski

1. Authenticity over conformity – She emphasizes knowing who you are as an artist before letting the industry define you.

2. Respect your instrument – Her reminder about vocal care underscores longevity over short bursts of overexertion.

3. Embrace struggle in growth – She acknowledges the complexity of youth and the pains of not always knowing.

4. Let influences inform, not consume – She absorbs many genres, but retains her unique voice.

5. Transformation is part of the journey – Changing her stage name and evolving sound reflect that growth is necessary, not betrayal.

Conclusion

Chloe Kohanski (now chloe mk) is a compelling example of a modern artist balancing the exposure of a televised music competition with the desire for authentic, lasting art. Her rock-inflected style, her insistence on creative integrity, and her introspective voice position her as a musician worth following—not just for what she has already achieved, but for the evolution she still promises.