The Voice 24 Recap: Blind Auditions 3 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 24 Blind Auditions continue with new coach Reba McEntire alongside returning vets John Legend and Gwen Stefani and sophomore coach and current champ Niall Horan. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
The Voice 24 Spoilers Top 56 Blind Auditions Contestant List
The Voice 24 Preview: Twenty Artists to Watch
Stee – 34 – Sugar by Maroon 5
Stee’s parents are musicians, and he initially decided to study engineering until he could no longer resist his true calling. He and his sister began writing songs in high school at which time they started a band. His sound is classically R&B but not old fashioned. John hits his button first. As Stee slides into his falsetto, Gwen turns…and John Blocks Niall. It’s the first Block of the season. Reba turns as well. A four chair turn with a block. Not sure why John would waste his block on an R&B singer.
Reba says, “You’ve got the whole package.” Niall appreciates that he performed a challenging song. Gwen compliments Stee’s range and mentions that she has performed in a band too. John reminds the singer that he’s sitting in Adam Levine’s old chair. Stee shares that his cousin, who passed away 3 weeks ago, was John’s biggest fan. He was planning to accompany Stee to his audition. And of course, Stee chooses John Legend. As if he would have ever chosen Niall. – 4 chair turn, John Blocks Niall, Stee picks Team Legend
Chechi Sarai – 32 – Lovin You by Minnie Riperton
NBC previewed Chechi’s audition last week. Currently living in Los Angeles, the singer is first generation Nigerian. Her parents came to the US for college. Nigerian music and culture has had a big influence on her artistry. Her parents were upset when she dropped out of college for music, but have come to accept and support her. Chechi starts her performance with the money notes–her clear, beautiful whistle tone. She sprinkles the high notes throughout the performance and ends with a lovely run. The whistle notes are the most impressive aspect of her voice. Her tone is unique, but soft and breathy. The vocal gymnastics garner a 4-chair turn.
Niall sees a finalist in Chechi. Reba loves the way she performs. “Your vocals are just insane.” John believes that Chechi is more than a one-trick pony. He thinks she could go all the way to the finale. Gwen compliments her confidence and control. “I was watching a Grammys performance.” She thinks she can help her “find her heart.” Chechi picks Gwen! – 4-chair turn, Chechi picks Team Gwen Chechi picked Gwen because she’s looking for a coach who will think outside of the box.
Reid Zingale – 27 – July by Noah Cyrus
Reid’s sweet high indie tenor prompts immediate turns from Gwen and Niall. He reminds me a little of Fritz Hager from American Idol a few years ago. His tone is lovely, but also forceful in key moments. He knows how to deliver emotion impactfully. John eventually turns too.
Reba didn’t turn because she couldn’t understand all the words. “I’m a lyric person,” she says. Niall calls it “magical.” Gwen brags that she hit her button first. Reid began songwriting in college. “You can hear the storyteller in you,” Niall remarks, “My fans are going to love you.” Gwen says “It’s just so unusual sounding,” about his voice. John describes Reid’s vocals as gentle and powerful at the same time. Reba throws in a good word for Niall, who compares Reid to Damien Rice. Reid picks Niall – Gwen, Niall and John turn – Reid picks Team Niall
Gillian Smith – 20 – Heart Like a Truck by Lainey Wilson
She auditioned for a talent show during high school. A teacher suggested she try country music and she fell in love with it She does skin care as a day job. Right off the bat, she sounds nervous. Her voice is trembling. She’s better in her upper register, but lacks confidence. She doesn’t get a turn. Sads.
Niall thought the song was too big for her. Reba enjoyed it, but noted the pitch problems. She suggests she come back and audition again. Gwen suggests she work on gaining control over the vibrato in her lower register. – No Turns
Claudia B – 24 – Human Nature by Michael Jackson
Claudia’s dad was a Gwen Stefani fan. Remember when No Doubt was an alternative rock staple? Kiddos, she really was! At 14 years old, Claudia was in her first rock band After school, she moved to Nashville. Niall, John and Reba turn fast. She sounds slightly underpitch. But her tone is unique. Her jazzy flair is standout.
Claudia studied jazz a Berklee. She plays keys. Niall could tell she was a magician. Claudia waited on Reba as a server in Nashville. Ironically, Gwen didn’t turn. Dad must be disappointed. Reba appreciates Claudia’s vulnerability. However, John is delivering the best pitch. And indeed, Claudia picks him – John, Niall, Reba turns – Claudia picks Team Legend
Mac Royals – 30 – Gravity by John Mayer
He’s from a small town in Arkansas. He owns his own production company. When Mac was 6, his father was incarcerated. He eventually got out of prison and opened a club. In July 2020, he died. The singer took it hard. Niall turns first, followed by John, Reba and Gwen. It’s a VERY quick 4-chair turn. Mac has a pretty voice and effortless phrasing and adlibs. He truly makes the song his own. The judges are on their feet at the end.
John says, “You made us forget about the original.” Gwen says, “You sound like such a true pure artist.” Niall says, “I felt like I heard a fellow songwriter. You brought different variations of your voice.” He reminds Mac that he’s the current Voice winner. Reba describes her own small town. Reba stresses that she loves all kinds of genres. The panel resorts to showing off their gifts. In a surprise twist, Mac chooses Reba. After school, he and his late grandmother used to watch her TV show. She’s finally got a team member outside of country.- 4 chair turn – Mac picks Team Reba
Note: Mac made it to the Top 20 on American Idol season 13 in 2014 as Malcolm Allen. Check out his audition HERE. He sang Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.”
Noah Spencer – 20 – Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan
This signer is from coal mining country in Virginia. Appalachia has influenced his sound. Noah’s gravelly voice gets Gwen, Niall and Reba to hit their buttons right away. His voice isn’t pretty, but he brings passion to his performance.
Reba loved everything about his voice. John didn’t turn, but compliments his “growl” although it’s not his thing. Niall loves his voice, calling it “ridiculous.” Noah loves bluegrass and country. Niall mentions that he has also covered the song. Noah is aware and is a fan. Gwen has nobody like him on her team, she says, adding “America loves that kind of voice.” Well, singing show fans do! Noah picks Niall! See, Reba doesn’t pitch hard enough for contestants. Niall’s charm and enthusiasm is persuasive. – Gwen, Niall and Reba turn, Noah picks Team Reba
Tom Nitti – 31 – Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Tom’s grandfather introduced him to Motown, his dad to country. The result is Tom considers himself a soulful country singer. He joined the military, like his parents did. He was injured in Afghanistan, sustaining a brain injury. He has a purple heart. He decides to sing a Motown song for his audition. At the very end, Reba hits her button.
John could hear a bit of a country twist. Gwen thinks Reba will be an incredible coach. He probably would have gotten more turns with a country song. His performance was edited, so it’s hard to tell – Only Reba turned
Alison Albrecht – Ironic by Alanis Morissette
It’s another montaged performance. And another one chair turn from Reba. Some off-pitch moments after Reba turned. I see a quick exit for her at the Battles. – Only Reba Turns
Talakai – 34 – Stay with Me by Sam Smith
Talakai jokes that he’ll call out “cousin” John Legend if he turns. And indeed, the two do look alike (but are NOT related). It helps that the artist cuts his hair and beard similarly to John. His stage name is his last name. He’s Polanyian, Tongan and Samoan. He ended up in foster care and lived in 10–often abusive home situations. Music saved him. Eventually, a friend’s mom adopted him. John is the first to turn. Reba eventually hits her button. Takai’s tone is unusual, but he could use a good coach.
“I’m looking at myself” says a shocked John after he turns. “He really legitimately looks like me.” Reba states that she loves his range, but is already admitting defeat. John mentions that he’ll help Talakai with his storytelling. (Good, because his phrasing tended to be flat and detached.) And of course he picks John – Reba and John turn, Talakai picks Team Legend
Iceberg – 34 – I Will Follow You Into the Dark
An engineer and producer, she and her partner built a studio in upstate New York. Her voice is very soft as she accompanies herself on piano. She’s a little pitchy, which is probably why she gets no turns.
John enjoyed her tone, but couldn’t understand the lyrics. Niall felt she was overthinking the performance. Reba calls her voice beautiful. She urges her to come back and try again. – No Turns
Rudi – 28 – You Don’t Own Me by Leslie Gore
Her father runs an auto body shop, where her entire family works. She worked their for awhile, but her family concedes it’s not the job for her. Her late grandfather sang Mariachi music. She sounds really nervous, but her song choice, phrasing and tone are all attention grabbing. Gwen hits her button first. Niall keeps looking over at John, and when it’s clear he’s going to turn, Niall blocks him. Otherwise it’s a 4-chair turn
Reba calls her “very persuasive” when she sings. Gwen compliments her control. “You really know how to work the stage.” Rudi admits that she’s a big Gwen fan. Niall realizes that he probably wasted his block. “It was such a good song choice for you.” John is sad that she won’t be on his team. “You should not pick him!” And indeed, she does not pick Niall. Rudi picks Gwen. – 4 chairs, Niall BLOCKS John, Rudi picks Team Gwen
