Trae Patton/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — The Voice aired its final blind auditions during the first half of Monday’s two-hour episode, with coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson each looking to complete their teams.
The battles kicked off the second half of Monday’s show, with coaches getting help from the following advisers: Keith Urban for Team Blake; Thomas Rhett for Team Kelly; and Halsey for Team Jennifer. Members of Team Adam, assisted by former Voice coach CeeLo Green, will take the stage on Tuesday.
Here are the highlights of Monday night’s show:
The blind auditions:
Emily Hough, 16, is a Petersburg, Illinois native, who has been singing at local events since she was seven-years-old. Her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” coaxed Adam, Blake and Jennifer to turn their chairs. Emily picked Adam, who declared the teen was “as A-team as it gets.”
After performing in a Christian boy band and landing a short-lived record deal, Tennessee native Josh Davis now focuses his energy on secular music. His take on Sam Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbyes” got Kelly and Jennifer to turn around. However, Adam and Blake, fed up with the way the ladies argued, pleaded their cases for them. Blake, speaking on JHud’s behalf, noted she’s a triple threat, winning an Oscar, Tony and Grammy. Adam touted Kelly as “a beast, vocally.” Levine — or Clarkson, rather — won the battle.
Blake and Jennifer also completed their teams: Shelton nabbing electro-pop singer Katrina Cain, who delivered a slow, soulful version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon;” and Hudson with Matt Johnson, who covered “Never Too Much,” by Luther Vandross.
Here’s how the teams stacked up at the end of the blinds:
Team Adam: Anthony Arya, DeAndre Nico, Fousheé, Funsho, Jake Wells, Jarred Matthew, Natalie Brady, RADHA, Reagan Strange, Steve Memmolo and Tyke James.
Team Blake: Caeland Garner, Chris Kroeze, Dave Fenley, Joey Green, Kameron Marlowe, Kayley Hill, Keith Paluso, Kirk Jay, Mercedes Ferreira-Dias, Michael Lee and Rachel Messer.
Team Jennifer: Audrey Bartholomew, Colton Smith, Franc West, Kennedy Holmes, Lela, MaKenzie Thomas, Mike Parker, Natasia GreyCloud, Patrique Fortson, Tyshawn Colquitt and Zaxai.
Team Kelly: Abby Cates, Chavell Shepherd, Claire DeJean, Cody Ray Raymond, Delaney Silvernell, Erika Zade, Kymberli Joye, Mikele Buck, OneUp, Sandyredd and Sarah Grace.
The battles:
Sandyredd and Cody Ray Raymond, representing Team Kelly, duked it out on Solomon Burke’s “Cry to Me,” from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack. Kelly, thought the soulful, but edgy song would “slow Sandyredd down a bit” and “get a little more passion out of Cody.” Clarkson’s advisor, Thomas Rhett urged Sandyredd to showcase the lower part of her vocal range, while Kelly suggested Raymond do enough to wow people, without getting lost in the song. Kelly declared Cody Ray the winner. He advances to the knockout round. However, Sandyredd also moves on as part of Team Jennifer, who prevailed over Adam and Blake.
Next, Team Blake’s Michael Lee and Joey Green, were pitted against each other on Bonnie Raitt’s “The Thing Called Love,” in a battle the two buddies dubbed a “Texas Showdown.” Blake’s advisor, Keith Urban warned Lee about being “too in control of his voice” and “let it go.” Green, according to Urban, was too laid back and needed to look like he’s “working for it.” Michael won the night, according to Blake. He advances to the knockouts, while Joey heads home.
Team JHud’s Colton Smith battled Patrique Fortson on Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” to close out the show. Jennifer and her adviser, Halsey, wanted to hear each singer seize his moment. After the performance, Jennifer noted both artists were “superb” and deserved to continue, but declared Fortson the winner. He moves on to the next round.
Blake didn’t let Smith go home though, explaining that Colton took his song to a level he couldn’t. Colton advances to the next round as part of Blake’s team.
The battles continue Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
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