‘The Voice’ Contestant Jamar Rogers Overcomes Addiction, Homelessness to Join Cee Lo Green’s Team

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Few contestants on this season of ‘The Voice‘ have overcome quite as much as 29-year-old Jamar Rogers. The Bronx singer overcame a drug addiction, homelessness and HIV to get to Hollywood for his audition. “I really do believe I’m the comeback kid,” Rogers shouted before taking the stage.

Only one mentor was moved enough by his performance of the White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ to turn around, but it was the one Rogers was hoping to see. Prior to singing, he told America that Cee Lo Green was his idol.

“You got style, you got charisma, and you definitely go the voice,” Green told Rogers. The other three judges admitted they were impressed by the heavily tattooed singer’s voice, but knew he was a perfect fit for Team Cee Lo. None of the mentors got to learn about the New Yorker’s checkered past, but there’s little doubt that crystal meth habit is long past him.

Host Carson Daly personally hand-delivered Rogers’ invitation to offer him an audition in front of the judges. He was busy volunteering at the time of the delivery and broke down in tears when he got the good news. Later, viewers met his equally emotional mother, who called him her biggest inspiration. “I am at a loss for words, because this is something we dreamed of since he was six,” she said.

After the performance Cee Lo Green — who was suddenly holding Dr. Claw’s cat — talked about the connection he felt with Rogers. It was his first new team member of the night, and his second overall.

Watch Jamar Rogers Perform on ‘The Voice’