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In art, imperfections can create character.
That’s certainly true for Anya True, the teenage singer who stopped by NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday night (March 5) to showcase her talents.
Hailing from Encinitas, CA, the recently-turned 17-year-old performed Stephen Sanchez‘s “Until I Found You” for the season 25 Blind Auditions. Wielding an electric guitar, True threw down country vibes with a vocal style that doesn’t match anything pumping out of commercial radio.
When she nailed an early, sweet run, Chance The Rapper hit the red button, followed immediately by Dan + Shay.
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Reba McEntire and John Legend kept their backs turned.
“That was a flawless performance. I love the vulnerability. You have this Olivia Rodrigo kind of thing going on,” remarked Shay Mooney. “Your voice is just phenomenal. I just love all the little imperfections that you had,” he continued. “They were…character. And they were very purposeful.”
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The country pair stood to show their respect, and maybe secure the singer’s services.
If that wasn’t enough, Shay made a pledge. “I was a good singer, and when I started working with (Dan), it made me a great singer.” Join the team, and “we will take you from being a great singer to an amazing singer. I think you’ve got a shot at winning this thing.”
Dan Smyers chimed in: “I loved your voice when it broke into the falsetto. It was vulnerable in a whisper tone. And then at the end of the performance, you hit those same notes, full voice and I was like, ‘she’s got it all.’”
Did Chance stand a chance after all that? “I think your voice is amazing. I really love all the falsetto and head-voice stuff that you were doing,” he remarked. If she joined his team, his style is to let the artist take the stage, do their thing and he leans in on their influences.
McEntire enjoyed the contestant’s voice and tone, but she’s “not what I’m looking for right now.” Legend heard nerves in her voice, but he’s excited for the youngster’s journey ahead.
True had a decision to make. After all the flattery and the recruitment, it wasn’t a tough call. True chose Dan + Shay.
Watch the performance below.
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Success is not final, failure is not fatal, Winston Churchill once remarked, but it “is the courage to continue that counts.”
Madison Curbelo might not be familiar with those words of inspiration the British wartime prime minister once shared with his compatriots, but she certainly gets the drift.
On Monday night (March 4), Curbelo stepped into the blind auditions for season 25 of The Voice with a guitar, a skinful of courage and a story of failure.
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Hailing from Puerto Rico, now residing in Westfield, Massachusetts, the 21-year-old stood out with her rendition of Ben E. King’s classic “Stand By Me.” Curbelo incorporated Spanish lyrics into her delivery, for a version reminiscent of Prince Royce’s 2011 cover, but very much her own take.
John Legend turned first (and fast). Then Dan + Shay, followed by Chance the Rapper and finally, Reba McEntire. A four-chair turn, and a standing ovation from Legend, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.
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A clearly ecstatic Curbelo has been here before, but not like this.
The youngster was a contestant on season 20. On that occasion, the 18-year-old sang “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” None of the coaches at the time — Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton, and Nick Jonas — would turn their big, red chair.
Failure is not fatal.
“Confidence is the biggest thing that has changed. And I’ve been writing so much music,” she explained after her latest performance made all four coaches turn. “So I kind of like discovered the sound that I love. And just finding Madison, I think was a big thing.”
Legend admitted he wasn’t a believer back then, but things have changed. “I feel like you’re just ready now. And I love that you say that you found your sound. And you found the way you want to express yourself,” he remarked. He could feel her smile with his back turned, and “every run you did was so tasteful.”
Legend pitched Finding Madison as an album title, getting his sales pitch in discretely.
Dan + Shay set out to recruit the singer. “You radiate light and joy,” explained Mooney. “It’s true, you know when you get told no sometimes in your life I think that pivots you and puts you on a different trajectory. And allows you the opportunity to grow in your moments. Your voice was just flawless.”
Chance weighed in, “you’re an awesome talent. So exciting and fun. You have a really cool energy. It makes me smile just hearing you sing.” He added, “whoever you go with, just think about ways that we can help you in terms of arrangements.”
Curbelo had a decision to make, a choice of four teams. She chose Dan + Shay who, for a moment, gave off the kind of energy that typically beams from a winner.
Watch the audition on NBC‘s The Voice below.
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No one can sing a Journey number quite like the mighty Steve Perry. Or perhaps Gene Taylor.
Hailing from Vernon, New Jersey, now based in Brooklyn, NY, the 33-year-old Taylor has done the rounds of theater and performed for much of his life. Under the bright lights of NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday night (Feb. 27), he showcased his talents for power and glory.
For Taylor’s blind audition, a cover of Journey’s 1978 song “Lights”. Power, glory.
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John Legend turned first, then Dan +Shay, followed by Reb McEntire and, finally, Chance the Rapper, for a four-chair turn and a standing ovation.
“I always love a tenor who can sing those beautiful big notes,” says Legend, “but also you had finesse. It was just so expertly done as a vocalist.” And with that, Legend launched into his sales pitch. Legend would also identify some classic vocal skills in the mix, a fusion of Nat King Cole with rock.
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“Your voice is unbelievable,” says Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay. “I was just sitting back and enjoying the music for just a second.” Dan Smyers chimed in, “so much power, so much control. You’re a star. We could tell you’re a seasoned pro.”
“I thought it was awesome,” reckons Chance. The reason he was last to turn? “It was because I was really arrested by the performance. Your tone is so different, and I was just really into it. And then I turn and see you and you, like, kind of got this southern vibe to you.” The Chicago rapper is convinced Taylor will “go really far” in the 2024 competition, thanks to his “distinct tone.”
If the The Voice fans and coaches didn’t already love the contestant, he made certain of it when he brought his mom on stage.
A minor hit following its release, “Lights” has enjoyed a second life as inspiration blast for Bay Area sporting franchises. Now, perhaps an unexpected lift after its exposure on The Voice.
“The way you were working the crowd,” notes McEntire following the audition, “that was perfect to go with your beautiful voice.”
So, with any doubts over his talents utterly erased, and all coaches rolling out the welcome mat, it was time for Taylor to make a decision. He chose Legend.
The 25th and latest season of The Voice began Monday. Watch Taylor’s performance below.
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One Direction is gone, split up into five healthy parts. But certainly not forgotten.
The Garcia twins played their part in keeping the flame burning for 1D with a performance Monday night (Feb. 26) as The Voice returned to our screens.
For their blind audition, the teenage lads performed “Story of My Life,” lifted from 1D’s 2013 album Midnight Memories, one of their four No. 1s on the Billboard 200 chart.
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There were wet eyes in the room as the 17-year-old brothers sprung the nostalgic number, on pitch, and with a solid hug at the end.
Hailing from Millbrae, CA, the bros, Justin and Jeremy, managed a three-chair turn. Only John Legend kept his back to the boys.
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“You’ve got the duo thing down,” remarked coach Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, stating the obvious. “Man, that was a fantastic performance. From the first time I heard you harmonizing and I found out it was two people, I was like, we’ve got to turn around. That sounds amazing.”
That was the cue for a sales pitch. Brothers, come team up with the “brothers”.
There’s still room for improvement. “When you guys first started, it was super, super tight,” Chance the Rapper noted. “There were some parts where one of you guys got pitchy. And you guys gained control by the end.” He added, “as long as you guys are focused on how you interact with each other, you guys will have great performances and keep having success like this.”
The harmonies “could have been a little tighter,” remarked Legend, explaining his reasons for not turning. But hey, what an experience.
Reba McEntire felt a connection. The country star recounted her youth growing up in a “singing family.” Hearing the twins belt it out, “it takes me back to my childhood. I absolutely love your enthusiasm.” And, as she started her own sales pitch, confessed she was “really moved by it.”
In the end, it boiled down to a decision. The Garcias chose coaches Dan + Shay, who served as mentors in season 20 and made their coaching debut tonight, becoming the first artists to join the country duo’s team.
For the record, 1D was created through the vehicle of another reality TV format, the 2010 season of The X Factor, setting charts and hearts ablaze until 2016, when the group went on indefinite hiatus.
NBC’s The Voice is now in its 25th season.
Watch the audition below.
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Somehow, Kaylee Shimizu makes singing look like a glorious gymnastics routine — all style, grace, strength, athleticism.
Hailing from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, the 17-year-old got everyone’s attention during the Blind Auditions with a cover of the Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers.”
She earned a four-chair turn. “We’re just stunned right now. Your voice was just dazzling, it was so creative it was so musical,” John Legend remarked at the time, her future coach. “You know you could win The Voice, right,” he added. “You have so much confidence delivering these impossible notes.”
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Then, in the Knockouts, more knockout stuff with a performance of Aretha Frankin’s “Ain’t No Way,” lifted from the late legend’s Lady Soul album from 1968.
Nothing would stand in Shimizu’s way of competing in the Playoffs, which she launched into with a cover of master producer Quincy Jones’ “You Put a Move On My Heart” featuring Tamia, from 1999.
Shimizu breathes blues, and jazz, into the song, punctuated with her trademark dynamite runs and big, showy high notes.
“It really is phenomenal that you are the age that you are, and your voice has this much control and depth and range. Your low voice is really gorgeous. I love the warmth in it,” Legend enthused. “The fact that you can do that and then go to those notes in the stratosphere that almost no one on the planet can hit, you’re ready for this. You are ready to be a big star. You’re so special Kaylee.”
Special, however, doesn’t always win talent shows. Luck can play a part in it. Bad luck, too, as Kaylee Shimizu found out. The teen was eliminated, as were Kristen Brown and Taylor Deneen.
Team Legend singers Azán, Lila Forde and Mac Royals advance to The Voice season 24 Live Round, where they’ll be joined by Huntley, Nini Iris and Mara Justine (Team Niall); Jordan Rainer, Jacquie Roar and Ruby Leigh (Team Reba); and BIAS, Tanner Massey and Kara Tenae (Team Gwen).
Watch Shimizu’s performance on NBC‘s The Voice below.
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The Voice has reached the Playoffs phase and Huntley is, well, very much in the hunt.
The Fredericksburg, Virginia-native impressed when he stepped onto The Voice last month for the Blind Auditions, showcasing a voice with depth and character, a rare blend that could power its way through country, blues, rock and grunge.
From the opening notes of that audition, when he sang “She Talks To Angels,” Huntley caught a four-chair turn. Niall Horan went on to secure his services.
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Heading into Tuesday night’s episode, Huntley had a lot to live up to. Pressure, no pressure.
Huntley put on his game voice, and hit a full-throated rendition of David Kushner’s “Daylight”.
The coaches loved it. “I just can’t believe how amazing you are, every single time,” was Gwen Stefani’s immediate response. “Your actual vocal ability, especially in the lane of music that you do, your style of singing, it is masterful.” If she had a label, she’d sign him up. “You’re so amazing.”
John Legend was also blown away. “What you’re giving us on stage is well beyond a competition,” he enthuses. “You’re already a star. You carry yourself that way with confidence, with that distinctive voice.” The execution, flawless. Huntley could go on to be a Grammy winner someday, he reckons.
The performance was “just insane,” Horan remarks. The rocker’s coach challenged him with the song, something he felt Huntley wouldn’t pick, and the result was “the best you’ve ever sung here.”
“You’re one of the people that’s got something to say to the world, and you’ve got a voice like that, it’ll be one hell of and album, and I’d buy it.” So would Reba McEntire. So would many others.
The Irishman had the challenge of cutting three of his six artists. Ultimately, he selected Huntley, Nini Iris and Mara Justine to progress in the competition.
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC and streaming next day on Peacock.
Watch Huntley’s performance below.
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Aretha Franklin owned the title “Queen of Soul,” for good reason.
The Detroit native was electric, with power, substance, and the versality to sing anything from pop through to “Nessun Dorma,” famously stepping in for the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti at the 1998 Grammy Awards.
Franklin commanded respect. You don’t just go and cover one of her great R&B songs on national TV.
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Kaylee Shimizu didn’t get the memo. And she sure didn’t need it.
When the Knockouts kicked off Monday night (Nov. 6) on NBC’s The Voice, Shimizu did no harm to her chances of progressing all the way in the competition with an explosive performance of “Ain’t No Way,” lifted from Franklin’s Lady Soul album from 1968.
The Team Legend singer hit all her runs, high notes, low notes, the lot. She was so good, and so audacious, rival coach Niall Horan spent a good chunk of the performance belly-laughing.
Shimizu has been laughing through this 24th season.
Hailing from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, the teen scored a four-chair turn during the auditions with a cover of the Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers,” a minutes-long flex with elite high notes, control and all the good stuff that captures the attention.
“We’re just stunned right now. Your voice was just dazzling, it was so creative it was so musical,” remarked Legend, prior to recruiting the 17-year-old to his team. “You know you could win The Voice, right,” he added. “You have so much confidence delivering these impossible notes.”
He’s not wrong.
Shimizu went up against Team Legend singers Caleb Sasser and Mara Justine, both of whom earned perfect four-chair turns during the auditions phase. She shone under those bright, Knockout lights.
“There’s a lot of richness and warmth and body to your voice,” Legend remarked. “It’s just supernatural that it comes out of your body at the same time. That you’re hitting those high notes…it’s actually insane.”
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock.
Watch below.
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While BTS simmers, Jung Kook is red hot.
After the hard work, the K-pop star can now watch the numbers trickle in following the release of Golden, his debut solo album. Based on midweek data, it’s set to debut at No. 3 in the U.K., for what would be the highest charting solo release from a BTS member. The album includes “Seven” with Latto, which last month set a new record for the fastest entry into Spotify’s one billion streams club, at 108 days. As at Monday, Nov. 6, the single is platinum certified by RIAA.
Expect a whole lot more to come.
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Jung Kook stopped by NBC‘s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday for a chat, a dance, a slice of pizza, and a glimpse at the road ahead.
“Of course I want to do a world tour as a solo artist, but I don’t think I have enough songs for that,” he tells the late-night host. “So I want to complement them more and make more songs. And maybe when I’m ready, I can do the tour in full swing.”
That mission statement should get ARMY buzzing. Golden is here, now, and it’s got something for everyone, he assures Fallon. Indeed, it tops this week’s new music poll on Billboard, with 88% of the vote.
“I wanted to have this universal emotion, love. Everyone can relate to it,” he says of the album. “I wanted to show the change of this emotion. And also in terms of the versatility. I wanted to become a solo artist who can pull off a lot of genres and that’s what I try to do here.”
During his guest spot, the pop star discussed the origin of the name “Golden” (he’s the “golden youngest” in BTS, a nickname coined by RM), his proudest achievements (ARMY and BTS. “If it weren’t for them I would not be what I am today”), and the response from his fellow bandmates when he first played them the LP (“They just said, ‘It’s great.’”).
Yung Kook also joked about the surprise hit that was the Weverse video of him sleeping, a clip that captured some six-million sets of eyeballs. Those folks who tuned in, it was “something a little unexpected,” he explains in English, before switching to his native tongue: “actually its’ a little embarrassing”.
The 26-year-old artist also stuck around to perform album track “Standing Next to You,” a song that “could best show my vocals and performance as an artist. Of course it had to be the main track for my album,” he reckons.
Watch the interview and performance below.
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Some battles end in tears, or stunned disbelief. When Eli Ward and Jason Arcilla went head-to-head Tuesday night (Oct. 31) on NBC’s The Voice, they wrapped it up with laughter, like two old buddies catching up, cracking open a few cold ones.
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The Team Gwen pair tackled Bread‘s “Make It With You,” bringing their own flair to the corny pop-rock number which led the Billboard Hot 100 for a single week in 1970.
“Gwen, what a song choice,” John Legend remarked. The performance was “so like fun and soulful” and “you got these handsome gentlemen to serenade you,” he quipped. The lads were smooth, Legend acknowledged. Arcilla had a “gentleness” of tone, he continued. And Ward, :I loved how confident and in command you felt the whole time.” If he had to choose, Legend would side with Ward.
“You guys sounded great together, you were having fun,” remarked fellow coach Reba McEntire. “I loved the little choreography moves.” If she had to pick, she’d go with Ward.
Niall Horan was impressed with Ward’s “’50s meets ‘70s” smoothness – and his biceps (the Waterloo, IL native is a Division I athlete at the University of Iowa with the cross-country track team). “Your tone is really pure and classic.” Arcilla, the 34-year-old who lives in Pukalani, Hawaii, has “an etherealness” to his voice. It’s a tough choice. If the Irishman had to make it, he would lean ever so slightly in the direction of Arcilla.
Stefani had to make the cut, and she wasn’t happy about it. “This is impossible right now,” she remarked. “I have zero, zero idea of what to do now.” After praising both singers, and remarking on their growth during the contest, she settled on a winner, someone who is “ready right right now.”
And that was Arcilla.
In the aftermath, the No Doubt singer explained her decision. “Jason has the kind of voice that has this breathy, airy, serene quality that I would actually listen to on a record. I think that he’s just really gifted.”
Watch below.
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If you’re game to tackle Evanescence, you’d better bring the power.
That’s exactly what Joslynn Rose and Rudi did, when they went toe-to-toe Monday night (Oct. 30) on NBC’s The Voice.
The Team Gwen singers came out swinging in the Battles round with a rendition of “My Immortal.” Now 20 years old, “My Immortal” appeared on Fallen, the breakthrough 2003 album from Amy Lee and Co. which dominated sales charts across Europe, the U.K. (hitting No. 1) and the U.S. (No. 3), and gave us the epic number “Bring Me to Life.”
“What a lovely job,” remarked John Legend following the performance. The soul man praised Joslynn for her opener, in which she appeared “in control,” poised and “felt ready to seize the moment.” He’s a fan of her tone, “you really have a beautiful voice and your tone is so lovely.” Rudi, he continued, had power, clarity, and was “really impressive.” If he had to choose, he’d lean towards Rudi.
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Joslynn impressed with her low register, and the control of it, was Reba McEntire’s take. Rudi’s vocals were “wonderful, great stage presence,” she continued, “you both have very powerful voices.” If she had to choose, the country star would go with Rudi.
Rudi, added Niall Horan, “that was phenomenal. Pretty much flawless. It felt like you were climbing a mountain the whole way through the song. And it kept going, and going. And going.” Her rival, the way she started the performance, “brilliant, to have that poise, to take front and center and sing the way you did was really beautiful, especially for your age.”
Gwen Stefani had the tough choice to make. After thanking her singers, reminding the audience of their potential and talents, and pointing out just how hard a target it was to hit, the No Doubt star went into decision-making-mode.
There could be only one winner of this battle. And that was Rudi, who progresses to the knockouts. “She’s ready for what’s to come in the competition,” Stefani enthused in the washup.
But letting go a fine contestant, yeah, “that sucks.”
Watch below.
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