The Voice 24 Recap: Blind Auditions 7 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 24 Blind Auditions CONCLUDE as new coach Reba McEntire alongside returning vets John Legend and Gwen Stefani and sophomore coach and current champ Niall Horan fill up their 14 member teams. Carson Daly returns as host.
By the end of the episode, the full Top 56 will be revealed!
The Voice 24 Spoilers Top 56 Blind Auditions Contestant List
The Voice 24 Preview: Twenty Artists to Watch
The Voice Season 24 Full Schedule CONFIRMED
Huntley – 33 – She Talks to Angels by Black Crows
Huntley co-parents two children, a boy and a girl “One week on, one week off,” he explains. His own dad disappeared when he was 8 years old. In high school, he started a metal band. At 19 he picked up an acoustic guitar and moved to Nashville. Eventually, he moved back to Virginia. He’s juggling a day job and playing at night. The coaches turn instantly for Huntley’s sturdy, classic voice. He’s an effortless rock singer. A big voice, with no strain.
Reba compares Huntley to one of her favorites–Chris Stapleton. Niall compares him to English singers like James Morrison. He admired Huntley’s power. Gwen says, “Your voice is pure and honest. You’re very comfortable.” Huntley is emotional, “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” John says he sounds like he’s been on big stages before. “Your voice sounds ready.” Gwen compares him to Bradley from Sublime. Before he decides, Huntley brings his daughter Stella on stage. Stella makes the announcement SHE picks Niall. 4-chair turn, Huntley picks Team Niall
Azan – 28 – Golden by Jill Scott
The Dallas Texas native was a high stepper and all around dancer in high school, where she met her husband. She plays corporate events, but does have a day job in finance. She has a really beautiful tone and phrasing, singing with a unique and effortless vocal styling. She brings it on harder later in the performance, but Reba and John have already turned.
John calls her energy positive and loved her runs. Gwen calls her adorable. She loves her vibes and spirit. She advocates for Reba. Niall thought it was a “touch overwhelming.” He wanted a different song choice. Weird. Reba loved the choice, and her energy. Reba touts her vast experience. But of course she picks Team Legend. – Reba and John turn, Azan picks Team Legend
Eli Ward – 21 – Bruises by Lewis Capaldi
He’s a Big 10 college athlete at Iowa who runs track and cross country. It takes a lot of training. But he had to choose between sports and music and he chose music. Currently, he has 3 singles out. He seems VERY nervous. He has a unique sounding tone, but but he’s trembly and off pitch. Regardless, Gwen turns her chair. Reba hits her button too.
Reba loves his voice and tone and has nobody like him on her team. Niall points out that the two are dressed similarly. “So handsome together,” says Niall. The pitch issues kept Niall from turning. Gwen notes that once she turned, the performance faltered. She thinks she can help him. – Reba and Gwen turned, Eli picks Team Gwen
Brailey Lenderman – 33 – If it Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow
After college Brailey moved to Nashville. She started off recording country music. But people told her she was too fat and too old. She lost her confidence. She ditched her team and went independent. Now, she does what she wants. She considers herself a singer-songwriter. The peformance starts low, but on the chorus when her voice soars, Niall and Gwen turn. Reba, remarkably DOES NOT TURN.
Reba heard a few pitch problems which is why she did not turn. Not like pitch problems have stopped in her from turning in the past! Gwen loves the texture and character in her voice. It wasn’t a perfect vocal, but Gwen feels she can help. Niall turns on the charm. He thinks she had “audition nerves.” He appreciates that she chose a big song. Gwen says, “Don’t get distracted by him!” Niall jokes that Gwen is TOO iconic. “You don’t want to be around it!” Brailey says “I already have a super hot husband, I won’t be distracted by Niall! – Gwen and Niall turn, Brailey picks Team Niall
Colby Cobb – 19 – Somebody Else by The 1975
All his life, Colby wanted to be a doctor, but he believes he can also help people through his music. His voice is breathy and soft and he has pitch problems. There have been no “no turns” so far in this episode–until now. When an artist goes off key on the big note, they are pretty much toast.
Gwen likes his voice and his tone. But he needs more work in tuning. Niall thinks his timing was off. They all suggest that he return to audition again. – No Turns
Dylan Carter -20 – I Look to You by Whitney Houston
NBC previewed Dylan’s audition last week. A year ago, his mother couldn’t breath due to a blockage in her heart. She was only 47 and died. It was so sudden, he’s still devastated. “I wish I could have said goodbye.” The Voice was her dream for him. When he sang “I Look to You” at her funeral, he couldn’t get through it. The Voice is his second chance. Gwen is the first to hit her button and then the rest follow. His vocal isn’t perfect, but it’s very earnest and heartfelt.
Dylan is very emotional. Reba notices the spiritual aspect of the song. She chokes up herself. Touching people’s hearts is why we’re put on this earth, she says. Niall could hear the pitch issues, but felt his emotion made up for it. Gwen calls him “my guy” calling his voice warm and nuanced. Dylan shares the story of his mom passing. “I just made her so proud,” he says. John says, “I know you’re mother’s proud of you.” Reba mentions how like Dylan, her dream was her mother’s dream. It’s no surprise that Dylan picks Reba who seemed to connect with him at an emotional level. – 4 chair turn, Dylan choose Team Reba
TEAM REBA IS FULL
Claire Heilig – 30 – Tennessee Orange by Megan Moroney
From Virginia Beach, Virginia, she’s the mother of a 7 year old son. She sings country mixed with indie. She gets her music out through social media, currently. She’d love to work with Gwen. She’s more classic country than indie. She’s got a lovely languid, raspy tone. Despite not hitting any big notes, Gwen turns for her. Claire got the coach she wanted.
John loved the grit and rasp in her voice. “I got a barbie doll on my team,” Gwen gushes. She loves how “dirty” her voice is. Reba is sad she’s full. Gwen gets up and begins dancing, thinking that her team was full oops. She has one more, her fellow coaches remind her. – Only Team Gwen turned
Lennon Vanderdoes – 27 – The Night We Met by Lord Huron
Lennon starts singing before a video package and in darkness. His tenor is so high and sweet, he could be mistaken for a female voice. John, Gwen and Niall all turn their chairs pretty quick. If Reba hadn’t been full, she probably would have turned too. His tone is really incredible. He hits notes, skipping a few in between while staying perfectly in tune.
Niall calls him one of his favorite voices of the season. He calls it pure and clean. Lennon calls himself a storytelling songwriter. He believed he would fail with a voice that’s so different. John called his performance a “tour de force.” saying it felt like he has a “point of view.” The coaches are fighting hard, laying on the compliments. Gwen notes that she’s also a songwriter. She goes so far as to say “I’ve been around longer” then adds, “I wish I wasn’t!” And unsurprisingly, Lennon picks Niall. John, Gwen and Niall turn, Lennon picks Team Niall
TEAM NIALL IS FULL
Taylor Deneen – 23 – Redbone by Childish Gambino
Gwen really wants a soul singer on her team. John hits his button pretty fast. And Gwen turns too. Taylor delivers amazing runs and adlibs. She’s an effortless vocalist. John is up on his feet dancing.
Niall calls her vocal “flawless.” Reba agrees. “I am stunned right now,” says John. “I am a Taylor Deneen fan!” He adds, “You kept finding new places to go.” She’s a Berklee graduate. Now, she’s back in Oklahoma City writing songs in the corporate world. She wrote a little ditty for the coaches. Gwen loves her refreshing feminine tone. “If you choose me, we’re going to have a lot of fun.” And unsurprisingly, Taylor picks John, but Gwen tried! John and Gwen turn, Taylor picks Team Legend
TEAM LEGEND IS FULL. He sings his little ditty. John nabbed 8 four chair turns!
Katie Wheatley – 27 – The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
She claims to be the first person to audition for The Voice while pregnant. She and her husband have been trying for years to have a baby. Finally, she got pregnant. Interesting song choice. But she’s pitchy and needs to sing more dynamically. When she tries, she’s shouty. No turns. Oh well. No pregnant artists on The Voice this season.
Niall thought she got off to a shaky start. Gwen liked her scratchy yodel but felt Katie needed more control. – No Turns
Calla Prejean – 22 – You’re So Vain by Carly Simon
She began songwriting professionally at 17 after moving to Nashville post-high school. She did a bunch of day jobs, including assisting country star Sara Evans, as she pursued music. Sara facetimes Calla to wish her good luck. Gwen didn’t waste any time. She immediately hits her button for Calla’s folky alto. Her tone and sound are interesting, but she sounded flat at times.
John and Niall would have turned for her, they say. Gwen loves her rich, warm, round tone. Gwen feels she can help her with phrasing and more. Niall called her storytelling voice “pure.” – Only Gwen had a spot and she turned
TEAM GWEN IS FULL
The Battle Rounds kick off Tuesday night (Oct 17) at 9 pm ET/PT.
