The Voice 24 Recap: Premiere Blind Auditions Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 24 Blind Auditions begin 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: Watch the Coaches Cover Eagles Classic “Take it Easy”
The Voice 24 Preview: Twenty Artists to Watch
REMINDER: NO SPOILERS IN COMMENTS. Keep spoiler talk under spoiler posts above, thank you.
Jordan Rainger – 33 – Fancy by Reba McEntire
The first audition of season 24 features a guitar strumming bluesy country singer from Nashville by way of Oklahoma, performing Reba’s hit “Fancy.” Unlike John Legend, who doesn’t care for covers of his songs, Reba is delighted and she hits her button. Niall and Gwen are next and finally John. A 4-chair turn! NBC previewed this audition earlier today.
Jordan explains that the song “was written by a strong woman, it was made famous by a strong woman, and it represents lyrically what women do to survive.” Gwen drops her husband, Blake Shelton’s name, of course. Niall compliments her outfit, including her sunglasses. OK, she’s not blind. She wears dark glasses because it bugs her mother! Jordan and Reba hit it off right away. But as Reba tries to talk, Niall hits his button which emits a recording of Blake’s voice giving him compliments. As Reba pulls out a scepter, she stands in front of Niall attempting to cut her off. The hijinks are back, for better or worse John knows he has no chance. And of course, Jordan picks Reba – 4-chair turn, Jordan picks Team Reba
Reba’s gift for her artists: A plate of tater tots because it’s the nickname her boyfriend gave her.
Joslyn Rose – 16 – Arcade by Dunan Laurence
Joslyn hails from Lake Benton, Minnesota and is a magician’s assistant. The job has helped with her stage presence. She comes from a big family, several are foster kids. and dreams of becoming a songwriter and singer. She has a very pretty and delicate tone with a strong upper register. She’s a little trembly, but it comes across as vulnerability. It takes a minute, but Gwen, Reba and Niall all turn.
John compliments her power, he wishes he turned. Gwen compliments her ability to express emotion at a young age. Niall notes that he was also 16 when he competed on a singing show. Reba calls Joslyn an “old soul.” Reba thinks she could help her with stage presence. Gwen Reba and Niall turn. Joslyn choses Team Gwen
DeeJay Young – 33 – This Woman’s Work by Kat Bush
DeeJay is a principal stand in for the national touring company of the Broadway musical Hamilton. He considers himself an R&B soul singer. His falsetto voice is beautiful. John hits his button first followed by Gwen and Reba. Pretty quick. The falsetto and phrasing are phenomenal. That was an intense performance.
Deejay lives in Orlando. Reba mentions that she performed on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun. Gwen calls herself a really good cheerleader. You know, John’s got this one. “Falsetto is so hard to sing live…we just need to be here to help you shine your light. Reba doesn’t even try. He calls Reba a legend. But “Gifted” changed his life. He picks Team Legend. – John, Reba and Gwen turn. DeeJay picks Team Legend
Sophia Hoffman – 18 – Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato
Her voice is strong and throaty and really rangy. She sings a verse acapella. Reba turns first. Niall hits his button next after thinking about it for a bit. Sophia is a season 23 returnee. Niall ALMOST hit his button last time. After she was turned way last time, Sophia struggled.
Reba compliments her powerful voice. The young singer’s grit and maturity impresses Niall. She mentions that she’s a big Jennifer Hudson fan. To impress Sophia, Reba dons a queen’s crown and scepter, which is a running joke of the night. Gwen mentions that Reba has had many hit songs. But Sophia turns away from Reba’s promise of expertise, she chooses Niall. Reba and Niall turn, Sophia chooses Team Niall
Sam Dearie – 20 – Walking After Midnight by Patsy Cline
The Lebanon, Ohio native makes Tik Tok videos. A clip of himself singing to his sister’s baby went massively viral. He pays for college by playing music gigs and shares that he’ll be singing the Patsy Cline classic in a “country and crooner style” because he appreciates both styles. He starts off promisingly with an attention grabbing guitar lick. But when he shifts into his “crooning” style, he loses steam. He seems nervous. He’s pitchy! Alas no turns
Gwen compares him to Elvis, but thought it felt untamed. John thought his wide vibrato affected his pitch. Work on control, he says. Niall suggests that he dial back his vibrato. Reba wishes him good luck. – No Turns
Jackson Snelling – 21 – If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away by Justin Moore
Jackson and his brother, from Austin Indiana, are adopted and both have autism. And if that backstory sounds familiar, it’s because he told it on American Idol Season 19 in 2021. Higher functioning than his brother, he helps him with everyday tasks. At the age of 7, Jackson woke up and found his dad, passed away. It’s a traumatic moment in his life. Jackson’s song choice connects him to his dad. He sings the song with a pure, resonate country tone. I was not expecting that. Gwen hits her button first. Reba hits her button next.
Niall didn’t turn because he heard a few pitchy things. John compliments his gorgeous tone, but felt the last half of his song was strongest. Jackson grew up listening to “Miss Reba,” he reveals. She is proud that he is representing country music. Reba’s got this. Gwen name drops Blake AGAIN. She assures him that she’s selective and has had two country radio hits. “I’ve had more than two” Reba quips. And of course, Jackson picks “Miss Reba.” – Gwen and Reba turn. Jackson picks Team Reba
Alexa Wildish – 34 – Songbird by Fleetwood Mac
The Colorado native spent 2021 living and traveling in a van. Her parents are very supportive. She hopes that Reba turns her chair. Reba, Niall and John turn their chairs pretty fast. Gwen is last. A four chair turn. Her tone is standout, but I’m not in love with her phrasing. The coaches turned surprisingly fast without any big moments in the song.
Gwen guesses that she’s a songwriter because she made the song her own. “I’ve been waiting for you,” says Niall. Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks are part of the reason why he’s in music. “She’d be so proud of that,” he says, likely referring to the late McVie. He thinks that her emotion made up for some pitch issues. He really wants her! Reba felt peaceful while she sang. She recalls getting choked up singing at Madison Square Gardens because her father and grandfather performed roping there. She understands emotion sometimes overcomes pitch. John calls her mesmerizing and compares her to Maelyn Jarmon, who he won the show with on his first season. “Hasn’t won since,” says Niall. Ooo. Mean. John seems a little taken aback by that. And after a break, Alexa picked Niall. His wooing and begging worked! – 4 chair turn, Alexa chooses Niall
Olivia Minogue – 19 – Lay Me Down by Sam Smith
Olivia’s beautiful, burnished alto prompts John to hit his button first. The Lockport, Illinois native sings with a lyrical, unique tone. Niall follows with a turn and then Reba.
Once again, Niall is very excited for an artist. He’s up on his feet. And she’s a STAN. “Get this, 10 years ago today is the first time I saw you in concert,” she gushes. She’s also wearing a “Niall necklace.” Oh boy. John knows it’s over. Niall calls Sam Smith a “good friend” and says he would be “very very happy with that version.” Niall jokes about One Direction merch. Olivia admits she had his singing toothbrush. Yep. It’s over. Olivia chooses Niall – John, Niall and Reba turn. Olivia chooses Team Niall
Jarred Billups – 30 – Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
Fayette, Alabama where he is from is called the “sticky city” because Golden Eagle Syrup is made there. But he doesn’t want to get stuck there. His family was so poor they had to boil water to take a hot bath. Still, he studied in school and earned a college scholarship. He’s been a music teacher for 7 years. He has such a moving backstory, I wish his singing was better. He’s pitchy and his phrasing is odd. Maybe he’s nervous. No turns.
John thought he took an iconic soul song and added too many runs. Gwen was OK with the runs, but felt they weren’t in the right spots. (They seemed random). Niall encouraged him to come back and audition again. – No Turns
Kristen Brown – 24 – Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
Her dad is a professional bass fisherman and loves old school country music. He used to fish with Merle Haggard. At 13, she joined a country girl group who opened for Toby Keith and Morgan Wallen. At the end of 2021 she quit the group. She a songwriter and producer and manages her own career. She talked about her music having an “edge” so I didn’t expect Kristen to choose a pop country song to cover. But if a singer can conquer Carrie, they can sing anything. She’s no Carrie, but she nails the big notes. Gwen and then Reba hit their buttons.
John notes that the second half of her song was better than the first. It’s true–she struggled on the low notes a little. Reba calls Carrie Underwood “a buddy of mine,” and adds, “I was very taken with your performance.” And again, Gwen mentions her “2 country hits” and “riding the coattails of Blake Shelton.” Gwen calls Kristen a “diamond in the rough” and declares “I want to mother you.” And shockingly, Kristen picks GWEN! Reba promises to steal her. – Reba and Gwen turn, Kristen picks Gwen
Mara Justine – 21 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Here’s Mara Justine. It’s currently her third go at an American singing show. As a child, she competed on America’s Got Talent and in 2018, she was a Top 14 contestant on American Idol. She started singing at 8 years old–a shot of her singing on TV as a kid feels like an allusion to her time on AGT. A few months before she knew about her The Voice audition, Mara’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Music is my medicine,” she says.
Mara takes on the classic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and changes up the melody–maybe too much. But the coaches begin hitting their buttons quick. First John turns, followed by Gwen and Reba. Niall is last. It’s a 4-chair turn for the talent show veteran. Mara has an interesting raspy quality to her voice. Finally towards the end of the song she hits the money notes. But no need–she already had all the turns.
Niall is impressed with her nerve. “If this is where you set the bar, what are we going to see from you down the line.” Reba marvels that such a big voice comes from such a soft-spoken person and wants to help her with stage presence. John loved her tone in her lower register. Gwen wants to help push her to the next level. Niall thinks she’s in his wheelhouse. Once again, Niall invokes Blake. He breaks out the big red finger. Niall is certain he can charm Mara onto his team. But uh oh, John invites her to sing “All of Me” with him. Mara is freaked out, but acquits her self nicely singing with John. AND ONCE AGAIN IT’S OVER. Niall, defeated, falls to the floor.
And of course, the result is a cliffhanger. Tune in tomorrow to find out who Mara picks!
