The Voice makes history, as an artist who previously competed on the show returns for another crack at a team! Up until now, only No Turn artists had a chance to compete again. Once a singer gets a chair turn and competes–even if they don’t last past the Battles– they are no longer eligible for the show.
That rule is likely still in place as Jej Vinson, a member of Team Kelly Clarkson on season 16 (Blind Audition), returns with a group called Sheer Element. He gets to compete again on a technicality, basically. Jej and the members of his trio, Izzy Kaye and Tabon Ward, whom he met at USC, are such close friends, they attended his audition back in 2019. Jej made it to the live finals. Kelly saved him during the Playoffs, but the singer was eliminated at the Top 13.
The trio sings Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” and at first the coaches are confused as they attempt to figure out how many vocalists are in the group. Is it three? Is it four? Chance the Rapper turns first. Niall Horan turns next. And finally Kelly at the last minute. Thank God, or she would have been REALLY embarrassed!
Kelly jumps up after she recognizes Jej. “It was so good!” she gushes. “And when I turned around and saw Jej, I was like WHAT?” She adds, “You’re incredible. I already love Jej’s voice.” She stresses that she can help the trio with song selection. She promises to get more jackets as gifts if they pick her “Jej, you can get another one!”
All Niall can do at this point is pull out his ace. “I’ve been in a group!” he chirps. He points out that his favorite acts of all time are harmony-heavy groups like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Boyz II Men. The former One Direction member ends his pitch, “I feel we could work very well together.”
Chance reminds the singers, “They did not turn around for you super fast at all!”
The group huddles to make a decision. Will they choose Jej’s former Team Kelly? Will Niall’s time in one of the worlds biggest boybands win out? Or will Chance’s experience as a songwriter and producer inform their final decision? Tune into The Voice tonight (March 7) at 9 pm to find out!
