At just 14 years old, Brooklyn Marie is proving that extraordinary musical talent can emerge long before adulthood. The young singer from Minnesota captured national attention during Season 30 of The Voice, delivering a memorable Blind Audition that convinced both Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah to turn their chairs. But what viewers witnessed on television was only a glimpse of a remarkable musical journey that began when Brooklyn was barely old enough to speak.
Performing Olivia Rodrigo’s emotional hit Traitor, Brooklyn showcased a maturity and confidence that made her stand out among the competition. After earning two chair turns, she ultimately chose to join Team Kelly, marking a major milestone in her growing career. However, what makes Brooklyn’s story especially fascinating is everything she had already accomplished before appearing on the famous stage.
Known offstage as Brooklyn Ostlund, the talented teenager has spent much of her childhood developing her musical abilities. From singing as a toddler to mastering several instruments, writing original songs, and performing lengthy live concerts, her experience extends far beyond what many viewers might expect from someone her age.
Here are seven fascinating facts about Brooklyn Marie that reveal why this promising young musician is attracting attention.
1. Her Musical Talent Appeared Before Her Second Birthday
Brooklyn’s passion for music began remarkably early. According to her mother, Kristin Ostlund, she was already singing along and harmonizing with songs on the radio when she was approximately 17 months old.
What initially seemed like a charming childhood habit soon became something much more significant. By the age of three, Brooklyn was performing on stage, and at five, she began taking piano lessons to develop her natural abilities.
One of her earliest public appearances came in 2016, when the four-year-old Brooklyn performed alongside her younger sister, Mady, at the Jingle Bells Telethon in Alexandria, Minnesota. Even then, music was becoming an important part of her life.
2. She Plays an Impressive Collection of Musical Instruments
Although audiences know Brooklyn primarily for her singing, her musical talents go far beyond her voice.
The Minnesota teenager plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, drums, and violin. Her ability to explore so many instruments has helped her develop a broad understanding of music at an unusually young age.
Her musical interests are equally diverse. Brooklyn enjoys everything from country and pop to rock, folk, and indie music. This versatility allows her to experiment with different sounds and musical styles rather than limiting herself to a single genre.
For Brooklyn, music is more than an extracurricular activity. It has become a central part of her everyday life, with much of her time devoted to learning songs, improving her technique, and developing new ideas.
3. She Began Writing Original Songs at Just 10 Years Old
Brooklyn’s creativity extends beyond performing other artists’ music. By approximately age 10, she had already begun writing songs of her own.
The inspiration came from her childhood habit of imagining stories. Eventually, she realized those ideas could become lyrics and melodies, opening the door to songwriting.
Since then, songwriting has become an increasingly important part of her artistic identity. She frequently records musical ideas on her phone, saves notes whenever inspiration strikes, and experiments with melodies during ordinary moments throughout the day.
Her influences include artists as different as Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, and Metallica. Despite appreciating numerous styles, she often finds herself leaning toward pop when creating her own music.
4. She Has Already Released Original Music and Filmed a Music Video
Many young singers dream of recording an original song, but Brooklyn has already taken meaningful steps toward building her own catalog.
According to her mother, Brooklyn had released two original songs and was developing four additional tracks at the time of an earlier interview.
She also reached another exciting milestone by filming a music video for her original single Tired.
The opportunity came through family friend Alicia Bertram, whose work in photography and filmmaking helped bring the project to life.
For Brooklyn, creating a music video was particularly meaningful because it was something she had previously associated with established recording artists.
Her family has also expressed hopes that she could release a full album in 2027, giving her an opportunity to share more of her original music with listeners.
5. She Was Already Performing Two-Hour Shows Before Appearing on Television
Perhaps one of the most surprising details about Brooklyn is the amount of live performance experience she gained before her The Voice audition.
Around age 10, Brooklyn watched local Alexandria musicians Ray and Kayla Noble perform and became inspired to develop a similar stage presence.
Rather than simply dreaming about performing longer concerts, she began preparing for them. She learned enough material to fill a two-hour performance and practiced regularly to build the stamina required to sing and play guitar for extended periods.
Her dedication paid off in September 2024, when she performed her first official solo show at age 12 during a picnic at the Church of St. Mary’s in Alexandria.
From there, her performance experience expanded to weddings, community gatherings, private celebrations, and other events.
By the time Brooklyn walked onto The Voice stage, she was already familiar with performing in front of live audiences, an advantage that may have helped her manage the pressure of a nationally televised audition.
6. Her Blind Audition Impressed Two Major Stars
Brooklyn’s biggest television breakthrough came when her Blind Audition aired on September 23, 2026.
Taking on Olivia Rodrigo’s Traitor, she delivered a performance that persuaded both Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah to turn their chairs.
For a young artist who had spent years developing her abilities, seeing two established entertainers recognize her talent was an unforgettable accomplishment.
After considering her options, Brooklyn decided to join Team Kelly.
The experience was equally emotional for her family. Her mother later described how quickly the audition seemed to pass, with the approximately 90-second performance feeling almost unreal.
One particularly memorable moment happened after Brooklyn made her choice. Clarkson approached the family, greeted them warmly, and welcomed them to her team.
According to Brooklyn’s mother, Clarkson was friendly, humorous, and welcoming during their interaction, making an already extraordinary day even more special.
For Brooklyn, the moment represented far more than two chair turns. It was recognition of years of dedication, practice, and determination.
7. Her Family Has Been One of Her Biggest Sources of Support
Behind Brooklyn’s developing music career is a family that has encouraged her passion from an early age.
Her parents have supported her musical ambitions, while her three younger siblings, Mady, Westin, and Gavin, have also shared the stage with her.
The Ostlund siblings have participated in community performances together, including appearances at the Jingle Bells Telethon.
Brooklyn has also found inspiration among musicians in her home state of Minnesota. Singer Josie Nelson was one of the artists she admired while growing up, and Brooklyn eventually had opportunities to perform alongside musicians she looked up to.
These experiences helped her gain confidence and develop connections within the local music community long before her national television debut.
A Young Singer With an Exciting Future Ahead
Brooklyn Marie may have introduced herself to millions of viewers through The Voice, but her journey toward becoming an artist began many years earlier.
From harmonizing with the radio before her second birthday to writing original songs, learning numerous instruments, and performing full-length concerts, she has demonstrated a dedication to music that extends far beyond a single television appearance.
Her decision to join Team Kelly has opened another exciting chapter, offering her valuable exposure and an opportunity to learn from an accomplished singer.
Although it remains to be seen how far Brooklyn will advance in the competition, her achievements already tell an inspiring story about the importance of creativity, persistence, and family encouragement.
At only 14, Brooklyn has accomplished things many aspiring musicians are still working toward. With more original music planned and a growing audience discovering her talent, her journey is one worth watching.
And perhaps the most remarkable part of Brooklyn Marie’s story is that, despite everything she has already achieved, her musical career is still in its earliest stages.
