The voiceBlake Shelton is famous for getting engaged to his colleague Voice trainer Gwen Stefani, who certainly would have loved Monday’s contestant Pia Renee, a 37-year-old single mother who auditioned with Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster (Jammin ‘)” and declared “reggae has my heart”. Gwen, the woman who has Blake’s heart, is lost in this chain Voice season to make way for cast member Nick Jonas back, so Blake playfully tried to gain some credit with Pia by playing Gwen’s letter – claiming to be a huge reggae and ska fan now, thanks to her fiance’s influence. And Blake was so eager to recruit Pia that he may have inadvertently spread rumors about his wedding date and Gwen’s whereabouts in season 20.
“To say that I know nothing about the type of music [Pia] is performing would disqualify the fact that, who knows, when this airs, Gwen Stefani could even be my wife at that time! Blake blurted out. “She is giving birth to twins right now! She’s pushing them out! But I’m here, working. “
“Latest news!” mocked trainer John Legend, who then pointed out: “Gwen is great … but Blake is no Gwen. “
So, now Pia’s audition has officially aired, and as far as we know, Blake and Gwen have not fled, nor are they parents of newborn twins. That was just a typical Blake joke, which may have backfired in more ways than one. But John wasn’t kidding about Blake’s lack of knowledge-reggae-by-association-of-Gwen. The future, Mr. Stefani could not even pretend to have a working knowledge of Pia’s influences. He had no idea what John (who also turned to Pia) was talking about when John mentioned neo-soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, for example. And when John also mentioned that he had recently recorded a duet, “Memories”, with the reggae icon Buju Banton, Blake mistook “buju” for “some kind of soft bread”. That funny mess was – as Pia later explained – that ruined any very small chance that Blake might have to persuade her.
“Blake trying to use the reggae / ska card was perhaps the saddest display ever!” laughed Blake extremely amused Voice rival, Kelly Clarkson. “I’m still waiting for that reggae hit by Shelton!”
As for whether sink there might be a reggae hit, I’m not so sure. She’s a badass badass with style for days and a cool image, but she was a better performer than a vocalist. There was nothing truly unique about her choice of song or her interpretation of it, and she only released it vocally at the end, which is probably why Blake and John’s laps were two of the most last-minute in Voice story. But Pia definitely chose the right coach to bring out his best. And maybe she can make it up to Blake by performing at the Shelton / Stefani wedding reception – as long as “soft bread” is served.
These were Monday’s other successful blind auditions:
Ryleigh Modig, 18: “When the party is over”
Ryleigh is a lesbian, which caused a hilarious TV moment when Kelly worried out loud that Ryleigh would be delighted with ex-teen idol Nick, and Ryleigh quickly assured her, “Kelly, I’m gay!” (“Her powers won’t work on her!” John told Nick.) There was a sad side to Ryleigh’s revelation story, as she reflected on being ostracized by homophobic ex-friends, but thanks to music, support from her parents, and a liberating experience of shaving her head, she learned to embrace her true self. It makes sense that she identified with someone like Billie Eilish, but she did her own ballad, singing much of it in a low, throaty tone and choosing her executions judiciously, before flying to the falsetto money notes that finally grabbed Kelly. and Nick attention. Ryleigh, who confessed that he is struggling with anxiety and depression, suffered from some nerves on stage, but his raw vulnerability more than made up for it.
Who turned? Kelly and Nick. But I agreed with Kelly when she said, “I think it should have been a round of four chairs.”
Result: Kelly team. Nick said to Ryleigh, “You have the kind of tone and voice that speaks to my soul,” but John was right – Nick was really powerless in this case.
Andrew Marshall, 21: “Gravity”
As a teenage cancer survivor who once met his idol John Mayer through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Andrew clearly felt a connection to Mayer’s music. But that performance was trivial, like most of Mayer’s covers. John pointed out that the blues-rock song “was not very musically” and was not the most effective showcase for Andrew’s reach, and Kelly said “Gravity” did not give Andrew a chance to “create more intimacy”. But Nick must have heard of some potential, because he pushed the button with surprising speed.
Who turned? Just Nick. I have a feeling that Andrew is a competitor to fill with a set of Battle Rounds in his future, considering the strong team that Nick already has … but we will see.
Result: Team Jonas. “I dream of being a Jonas Brother since I was 10 years old”, joked the now in remission Andrew, happy to have another type of wish come true.
Emma Caroline, 25: “Slow Burn”
Emma’s delicate indie-folk accent (which Blake called “the voice of the mountain”) was a perfect fit for this Kacey Musgraves song, although I agreed with Nick (who didn’t turn around) that his speech was very timid. However, I think Kelly – who has won the show three times, including twice with young women and twice with competitors from the country – would have been the best coach to persuade Emma’s inner daring.
Who turned? Kelly and Blake.
Result: Team Blake. Emma remained shy and opted for the safe and obvious choice.
Ciana Pelekai, 20: “Dance Monkey”
I expected this Las Vegas Hawaiian diva to be more popular because of her bubbly personality and feminine style, but her Tones cover and I was hoarse, hoarse and sexy, with even a touch of Winehouse vampire soul. “You have a good sense of tone and pocket, you have reach and you have charisma,” said a John “completely impressed.” I was “deeply impressed” with Ciana as well.
Who turned? John and Nick … but Nick was out of the race because John used his only block of the season in “retaliation” for Nick blocking him last week.
Result: Team legend by default.
José Figueroa Jr., 34: “In this moment”
While I imagined the slow dance filled with sexual tension by Alex P. Keaton and Ellen Reed, this smooth singer delivered a pleasantly polished version of Billy Vera’s nostalgic Family ties ballad. Yes, his performance was old-fashioned, even the sequined jacket style. I’m not sure if there is a place for José in the world of music, or in this show. But man can certainly sang.
Who turned? John, followed by Nick at the last minute. “It felt like a four-chair performance to me,” shrugged John, although Kelly later said he abstained due to José’s excessive running.
Result: Team Jonas, surprisingly – because differentEmma, Joseph wanted to take a chance and go against the guy. Blake was already imagining a duet of opposites-attraction Nick / José, who “would blow people’s brains out of their asses in the bathroom and then flush the toilet.” This may be the funniest, though disgusting, thing that Blake has said in all 20 seasons.
Halley Greg, 20: “I’m Like a Bird”
This Seattle musician quit her job as a teacher to focus on music – in January 2020, right before the coronavirus pandemic. Going The voice therefore, it gave her the chance to make up for lost time and regain the momentum she lost last year. I loved his sparkling tone and enjoyed his aching and broken version of Nelly Furtado’s joyful pop hit in principle. But I think she took a lot of liberties with the melodies. It was nothing like “I’m Like a Bird”; I hardly recognized it.
Who turned? Only Kelly (who made a sulky face on a high note and shouted, “That was cool! ”), But not John, although he seemed equally enthusiastic.
Result: Kelly team. Kelly compared Halley to the all-powerful Annie Lennox and called her performance “intimate”, “intense” and “beautiful”, so everything worked out.
Durell Anthony, 34: “What’s Going On”
This protest hymn by Marvin Gaye means a lot to John; he himself once covered all the What is happening front-to-back album at the Hollywood Bowl. John called the sparse, jazzy version of Durell’s keyboard a “special version”, which was definitely a great compliment from him. I don’t know why any other coach bothered to turn around, when Durell was clearly material for Team Legend
Who turned? John and Kelly, who loved Durell’s “middle voice” as he effortlessly slipped from his falsetto voice to his chest voice.
Result: Legend team, no surprise.
Avery Roberson, 20: “If you are reading this”
Tim McGraw’s four-seat cover for this stoic, soft-spoken cowboy had a warm, vivid vibe that immediately attracted the listener. “I thought it was remarkable that you didn’t do what people expect you to do to get a four-round chair. You didn’t regret it everywhere. … The storyteller vibe was the best part for me, ”praised Kelly. Blake then played the country card, again bragging about being the only country expert on the panel, but Nick made a big point when he said to Blake: “I find it so bizarre that every time a country artist comes here, you say the same thing thing: ‘I know the song.’ And you do. But imagine if a pop artist came along and said, ‘We are the only ones capable of training that person, because we know pop music’. … I don’t think it matters where you are from, whatever the genre, it’s music at the end of the day. ”I could see why all four coaches wanted Avery so desperately. This was a magical and universally attractive performance.
Who turned? John first, followed by Kelly, Blake and finally Nick.
Result: Team Blake, of course. Blake may not be very lucky playing the “reggae / ska card”, but as Kelly lamented, when he plays the country card, he wins “95%” of the time.
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