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The Blind auditions are rumbling along on NBC‘s The Voice, and, on Monday night (Oct. 2), one particular contestant got tongues wagging.
Hailing from Wrightsville, Arkansas, Mac Royals stepped into the spotlight and showed he’s in the right place. With a voice coated in caramel, Mac covered John Mayer’s “Gravity,” and was an immediate with the judges. All of them.
Royals has a vision to “build a bridge” from the industry to Arkansas, a place lacking in opportunities for talent. “I want to be there personally to help them, so I’m here doing what I can,” he explained.
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Don’t bet against him.
Prior to hitting the stage, Royals remarked: “I hope the coaches can hear my heart and not just my voice,” and that “they can feel the pain in the song that I’m about to deliver, and that’s what’s going to make them turn around.”
Niall Horan didn’t hesitate, as he turned first. John Legend closely followed, then Gwen Stefani, with Reba McEntire bringing up the rear — for a four-chair turn.
“Wow, that was such a beautiful rendition of that song,” Legend later remarked. “You made us forget about the original and just think about who is this person and I was so moved by your performance.” Legend wasted no time in presenting his pitch.
“You have this incredible gifted voice,” explained Stefani. “You weren’t trying got show off your voice, you were showing off you. And your heart. And that was beautiful.”
It was “off the scale, it was amazing,” Horan enthused. “You did everything so well. And brought different variations of your voice, we heard the falsetto, we heard the sick runs in the middle.”
McEntire played the geography card. As an Oklahoman, they’re virtually neighbors. “I had 18 people in my hometown growing up,” she noted, “so I do know about small towns, giving back, helping out.”
The smalltown connection was a winner, as Mac selected Team Reba.
Watch below.
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If every dog has its day, today very much belongs to Hurricane.
Hurricane, a Border Collie, and his human Adrian Stoica are the winners of the latest, 18th season of America’s Got Talent, their dog show capturing the hearts of the American public.
Magician Anna DeGuzman came second in the 2023 competition, announced Wednesday (Sept. 27), and dance troupe Murmuration came third.
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Indonesian singer Putri Ariani and acrobat duo the Ramadhani Brothers respectively round out the top 5.
The top ranked singer this year, Putri made a notable impression on the judges, particularly Simon Cowell, who gave the teen his Golden Buzzer. “Nobody can take away the fact that you are an amazing, amazing singer. And performer. And person,” Cowell told Ariani.
The judges also adored Stoica and Hurricane’s double-act, apparently as much as armchair voters.
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“I was on my feet then I sat down, then I was on my feet. It just shows you how tough it is,” Howie Mandel enthused earlier in the season, following an act to Smash Mouth’s “I’m a Believer.” “We didn’t know whether to stand, we didn’t know whether to sit. He’s a dog, he gets more cues than we do. That’s my favorite dog Act ever on AGT.”
Sofia Vergara though the dog-and-man show “was perfection” and Heidi Klum remarked, “it is mind blowing to me how you do this routine with him.”
Added Cowell earlier in the season: “I think in terms of stepping up from the audition to the Live Show, this is the best act we’ve seen tonight. This was live, and that was a tricky routine. She was amazing.”
Stoica and his canine buddy collect the $1 million prize and a coveted Las Vegas residency.
The two-hour finale on NBC featured special performances from 30 Seconds to Mars, Jason Derulo, Jon Batiste, Leona Lewis (in a duet with Putri) and Season 17 winners The Mayyas.
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It’s almost time to lasso yourself onto your couch and tune into the very first People’s Choice Country Awards 2023. The inaugural event is set to occur on Thursday (Sept. 28) with a slew of performances by some of country music’s biggest names including Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay and more.
The show will be aired on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET, which you means you have a few streaming options to choose from to tune into. Our suggestion? Peacock gives you instant access to NBC’s library of programming along with a slew of exclusive offerings such as live sports.
For two hours, country stars will gather together with Little Big Town as the host for the night.
Keep reading to learn how to watch the award show as well as what to expect when the big night arrives.
How to Watch the People’s Choice Country Awards 2023
The inaugural event will air on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday (Sept. 28). Cable users can tune in wherever NBC airs — just check with your cable provider to see what channel it’s on.
If you don’t have cable, Peacock is livestreaming the event, and subscribers can watch it by logging into their account for no additional cost.
Don’t have a subscription? Peacock offers a couple plans at an affordable cost starting with the Peacock Premium plan for $5.99/month, which includes some ads, access to the full Peacock library including NBC and Bravo shows, movies and originals. Live sports and events are also included as well as over 50 channels. The Premium Plus plan is $11.99/month and includes everything in the Premium plan with no ads, local 24/7 NBC channels and the ability to download content to watch offline.
Peacock $5.99/month
Besides the award show, you’ll have access to Peacock Originals in addition to sports, NBC and Bravo shows such as Based on a True Story, Bupkis, Mrs. Davis, Poker Face, Bel-Air, Poker Face, Yellowstone, The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, Vanderpump Rules, Queens Court, The Traitors, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Sick and more.
Looking for more ways to save? Live channel streamers may have access to promos and free trials that’ll save you money and give you access to the award show. Philo, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV all have the NBC channel along with hundreds of other live TV offerings.
Artists Performing at the People’s Choice Country Awards
Pop some popcorn and get pumped for performances by Shelton, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Toby Keith and Wynonna Judd.
Judd is also set to be honored with the Country Champion Award for her decades-long music career and work in the community with organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity.
Among other special honorees, Keith will be presented with the Country Icon Award followed by a speech from Shelton.
When Putri Ariani performs, jaws drop, tears fall.
That happened again, when Ariani delivered her last performance Tuesday night (Sept. 26) for the 18th season finale of America’s Got Talent.
Hailing from Indonesia, the gifted singer and pianist scored Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer during the audition phase, the judges remarking that she sounded like, or indeed was, an angel. On that occasion, she performed two songs, the second of which was “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.”
For the finale, Ariani performed another Elton John and Bernie Taupin classic, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”. Sat at a sparkling grand piano, and complemented with a gospel choir, Ariani had the room on its feet — including all four judges.
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Last time, Cowell was left “speechless.” On this occasion, the Brit found his words.
“It’s got nothing to do with the fact I gave her the Golden Buzzer,” he remarked afterwards, “I think any one of us would have given Putri the Golden Buzzer. It’s just that you are one of those rare little diamonds we come across every few years. Who is naturally born to do this.”
The teenage contestant is blind, an obstacle she overcomes when performing. “You’ve overcome so much in your life, to hopefully fulfill your dream on this show,” Cowell added. “And boy, after that do you deserve it.”
Fellow judge Howie Mandel remarked that, every time, in every round, Putri “hit it out of the park.” Her voice and her talent, “perfection.” If this was just a singing competition, she had it in the bag, he remarked. AGT, however, is broader than that, with dancers, magicians, comedians and more lining up in the 11-strong final.
Heidi Klum said it was a “moving” performance. “You could’ve not done it any better.”
Ariani had the final word. “I believe we are able, we are capable and we are equal. So, don’t be afraid to keep reaching for your dreams. Your dream will come true if you believe it.”
The winner will be announced Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the second of the two-part final on NBC.
Watch Putri Ariani’s performance below.
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Yodeling is an artform so difficult to master, it ought to come with a warning — “only try this at home.”
Ruby Leigh is an exception. The 16-year-old from Foley, Missouri stopped by NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday (Sept. 26) for a Blind Audition that was both brave, unexpected and fabulously executed.
Looking the part of a golden-era country star and wielding an acoustic guitar, Leigh hit a cover of Patsy Montana’s 1935 “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” said to be the first country song by a female artist to sell more than one million copies. The youngster’s rendition was soaked in thigh-slapping country and western. And yes, yodeling.
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From the opening bounce, the coaches realized they were in for something different. All four turned.
“I truly never heard anything like what you just did,” John Legend explained. “I loved how clear and precise and piercing and beautiful your tone was. And then when you started doing the yodeling, it was like, how was a human being able to do the things that you’re doing? You could win the voice, honestly.”
Gwen Stefani revealed her own secret talents at yodeling, though admitted they were nothing when stacked against the superior Leigh.
The contestant’s energy was “just insane,” remarked Niall Horan. “You got a four chair for a reason.” This kid is “exciting,” he added.
Reba McEntire, the country icon, spoke last. “Being as young as you are, and being a fan of Patsy Montana, I’m a third generation rodeo brat, so Patsy Montana, a country western singer, not just country – there is a difference – I’m very flattered, very proud of my heritage that you’re singing this song.”
McEntire’s mom taught the country legend to yodel, which she duly gave an example of. It was a thinly-veiled sales pitch. Was it a winning one?
Of course it was. Leigh steps into Team Reba.
“Ruby could be a star and have a huge following,” Reba told the cameras afterwards.
The 24th season of The Voice premiered Monday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Watch below.
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Showbiz has dished up some memorable odd couples.
David Bowie teaming up with Bing Crosby for a Christmas classic wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. No one saw Metallica and Lou Reed coming, together. Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue melted minds with a one-off murder ballad in the mid-90s.
Add to the list a “country meets contortion” entry, thanks to Reba McEntire’s performance with Sofie Dossi for the America’s Got Talent results show.
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On Wednesday night (Sept. 20), McEntire and her band rocked their way through “Can’t Even Get The Blues,” with Dossi, a contestant back in season 11, who performed precision acrobatic moves and hair-raising stunts on stage, above it and on the judges table.
The collaboration was a reunion of sorts. It was McEntire, who, as an AGT judge back in 2016, gave Dossi her Golden Buzzer. Dossi, aged just 14 at the time, finished in the top 10 during that run, then returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she was eliminated in the preliminaries. Now aged 22, Dossi has over 9 million subscribers on YouTube, and a music career of her own (2022’s “Bunny” has more than 7 million plays on YT).
McEntire is buckling in for another long-stint on reality TV. The country icon is joining season 24 of NBC’s The Voice as its new coach. Starting from next Monday (Sept. 25), she’ll be seated next to John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan.
McEntire and Dossi didn’t provide the only entertainment of the evening on AGT. Two acts were voted into next week’s finals — the vocal ensemble 82nd Airbone Division Chorus and acrobats the Ramadhani Brothers, while a last-minute instant save provided a lifeline for dance troupe Avantgardey.
They head into next Wednesday’s final, where they compete with vocal group Mzansi Youth Choir, singers Lavender Darcangelo and Putri Ariani, dance groups Chibi Unity and Murmuration, magician Anna Deguzman, comedian Ahren Belisle, and canine specialists Adrian Stoica & Hurricane.
Watch Reba McEntire’s performance with Sofie Dossi below.
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Great songs have a life of their own. Consider “I Will Always Love You.” Dolly Parton’s original is the stuff of legend. Whitney Houston’s cover for the all-conquering The Bodyguard soundtrack, iconic.
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Now, there’s the Roland Abante’s heart-wrenching rendition for America’s Got Talent.
Abante, a fisherman from the Philippines, left nothing to chance as he belted out the classic ballad, hitting an array of high notes, with force, control and enough feel to touch everyone in the room.
A standing ovation awaited.
“Look at everyone here. They’re going crazy for you,” remarked Sofia Vergara. “People love you.” This qualifier performance she said, was a “good job tonight, you’re amazing.”
Did Simon Cowell like it? No, not exactly. “Somehow, I loved it,” he remarked. The acerbic Brit recounted how, during his emotional audition, Abante was “singing your life out on stage there. That’s what makes this competition exciting. People who come from all over the world to fulfill their dreams.” America, he remarks, “loves you.”
Fellow judge Howie Mandel remarked, “the perfect song, the perfect voice, it was spectacular. When he sang I will always love you, you just made everyone in the world love you. This was memorable. I believe this was the performance of a final.”
Heidi Klum loved the performance too, remarking that if there was access to a golden buzzer to push him through to the final, she’d hit it.
Sadly, there isn’t. Just two performers from this round go through. Now it’s America’s turn to vote.
Following his audition earlier in season 18, Abante, speaking through an interpreter, explained that he caught fish in the morning, and was a courier and ride-share driver through the rest of the working day. The extent of his stage activity back home is singing karaoke. Judging by his performances on the AGT stage, that lifestyle could be about to change.
Watch the performance below.
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When Terry Crews is feeling it, you can bet everyone feels it.
That happened during Tuesday night’s (June 20) edition of America’s Got Talent, when a collective from Los Angeles, going by the name of Freedom Singers, told their story and shared their talents.
The singers have lived in the impoverished side of Los Angeles, known as “Skid Row,” rubbing shoulders with the homeless and destitute. Performing together is just one way to lift the spirits.
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Its eight core members came together in the Arts and Culture department at the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), an organization that exists to help the needy.
“Skid Row is in the heart of downtown Los Angeles where five people per day die on the streets, houseless people,” explained one of the male singers. “So, for us, Freedom Singing brings us close together; it is that medium that we’ve always used to come together as America.
And with that as the background, the singers launched into a gospel rendition of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ early ’90s hit “Under The Bridge,” an apt song from the California act about sleeping rough.
The performance inspired the entire audience, and all four judges, to stand and applaud. There were tears in the room, and on stage.
“You have a powerful voice, powerful message, it was beautiful, it gave me goosebumps, it made me emotional,” Heidi Klum enthused. “This was a great audition.”
Homelessness, noted Howie Mandel, “you have given it a voice, you have given us a purpose, and it’s a message. This was more than just a song, more than an audition, it was needed. Thank you for informing, entertaining and blowing the roof off this place.”
Sofia Vergara noted, “I think you guys are going to go very far in this competition.”
The performance, concluded Simon Cowell, “was brilliant, it was raw, it was real, I loved the vocals, I loved your chemistry, your friendship. This was a really special audition, I loved it.”
So too did AGT host Crews who, as he thanked the singers backstage, shed some tears.
For the record, the performance earned four yeses.
Watch below.
If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, just one moment… Gina Miles can identify her moment, and no, she didn’t let it slip. Miles, the teen from Paxton, IL won the 2023 season of The Voice on Tuesday night (May 23), but she unofficially stole the nation’s hearts […]
It was the end of an era Tuesday night (May 23) as The Voice crowned its 2023 winner, and coach Blake Shelton hung up his cowboy hat for the very last time.After months of blind auditions, tears, cheers, battles, and a few baffling moments, five contestants duked it out in second night of the two-part grand final. On night one, which beamed out Monday on NBC, Gina Miles, Grace West, D.Smooth, Sorelle and Noivas respectively graced the stage for solo performances. Tonight, each of the finalists teamed up with their coaches for a duet. And faced the final countdown.
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One theme that bubbled away through the season had focused on Shelton, and whether the outgoing nine-time winning coach would leave the reality TV show on a high note. For this swansong, Shelton had twice the opportunity of his rival coaches. On Tuesday, he performed with Noivas on Michael Buble’s “Home,” and with Grace West on Blake’s own hit “Lonely Tonight.” Would he, could he do it again? Flat answer, no.
As the 23rd season wrapped, it was Niall Horan’s teammate Gina Miles who took the glory.
The 19-year-old resident of Nashville, TN, broke hearts with a rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Prince’s classic 90s number made popular by Sinead O’Connor, and a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Style.”
When she dueted with Horan on Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” The Voice viewers had seen enough.
Horan, the debutant, enjoys the rub of the green. Blake, who had a near miss in his quest to crack double figures, might call it the luck of the Irish.
“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while, and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after Season 23,” Shelton said in a statement. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns, and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people; you are the best.”
Shelton’s teammate Grace West finished second and Kelly Clarkson’s singer D.Smooth completed the podium.
The victorious Miles collects a six-figure cash prize and a recording contract with Universal Republic Records.