The Voice 25 Blind Audition: From 0 to 4 Chairs, Madison Curbelo’s Return is Triumphant
The Voice Season 25 continued on Monday (March 4) with the third episode of Blind Auditions. The strongest night of the season so far ended with an irresistible story featuring Madison Curbelo, who turned no chairs three years ago during Season 20, but triumphantly returned with a performance that resulted in a 4-chair turn. (Read our Recap)
Twenty-one year old Madison, from Westfield, Massachusetts, described her sound as the “color yellow” as her voice is “warm and bright.” She looked back on her Season 20 audition where she sang “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” I remember this audition and thinking at the time that Madison should have turned a chair. She recalls being scared, but remembered the advice she received, especially from Blake Shelton who advised, “sing as much as you can for another year.” Madison took his advice, and in the past three years she not only played more shows, but also graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. She noted that this time around she’s more confident, with the help of her supportive parents.
Sharing about her Puerto Rican heritage, Madison revealed she will sing Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” in English and Spanish with a bachata beat. John Legend turned his chair almost immediately. As she displayed more range, Dan + Shay also turned. Chance the Rapper hit his button a bit after with Reba McEntire turning near the end.
“That was a beautiful song”
Her version of the 60s classic had a nice flair to it. Her tone was very warm and clear with great resonance. It was not a super ambitious vocal, even though the arrangement brought a bit of new life into the song. But it’s still very well done. Hopefully in the future, she will take on a song that isn’t so overdone, and one that shows off even more range. I believe she may have more than what she showed during this audition.
Reba said “That was a beautiful song, you did a great job on it as you can tell.” Madison has been singing since the age of 9, she told the panel, and since her first audition, she has discovered her sound and become more confident. John remarked that he likes the album name Finding Madison and the two joked about collaborating.
John mentioned he didn’t turn in Season 20, but thinks she’s now ready. He asked the singer to describe her sound. She replied, saying it’s in the “pop-acoustic space,” but she liked to sing in Spanish as a nod to her Puerto Rican heritage. Shay joked about John not turning last time. He calls her voice “flawless.” Dan loved her energy and felt “the crowd was feeling it.” Chance called her an “awesome talent” with a “cool energy.” John asked what songs she would like to do. She would love to cover Michael Jackson., she said More jokes ensue before it’s decision time.
Madison picks team Dan + Shay
In the end, Madison goes with Dan + Shay to be her coaches. It’s Dan + Shay’s first four chair turn. They are happy to have nabbed her over John. Madison felt connected with Dan + Shay as fellow songwriters and because of their excitement.
Madison ended the show on a high note, but she wasn’t the only standout. Team Legend’s Bryan Olesen, a former guitarist of Christian Rock band Newsboys, nailed “Love Runs Out” at the top of the show (Watch it HERE). Other singers who showed potential were Team Dan + Shay’s Frank Garcia, a former La Voz contestant, who sang Adele’s “Love In The Dark” and Team Reba’s Asher Havon who sang “Set Fire To The Rain”.
