R&B vocalist Avery Wilson began performing as a child at open-mike events organized by his father. A few years later, the Connecticut native was co-winner of a New York talent competition for teenagers. In August 2012, Wilson self-released his debut album, On Top of the World, but he reached a much larger audience a few months later when he competed on The Voice, during the talent program's third season. His knockout-round elimination was preceded by renditions of "Without You" (David Guetta and Usher)