The Voice season 22 Blind Auditions continue with returning coaches Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and John Legend. Pop star Camila Cabello joins the panel. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
By the end of the Blind Auditions, a top 56 will emerge.
The winner receives a cash prize and a recording contract with Republic Records, among other announced prizes.
The Voice 22 Contestant List – Meet the Artists! (Photos, Videos)
The Voice 22 Spoilers: Blinds, Battles, Knockouts, Top 16
The Voice Season 22 Full Schedule CONFIRMED
REMINDER: NO SPOILERS IN COMMENTS. Keep spoiler talk under spoiler posts above, thank you.
Andrew Igbokidi – 22 – when the party’s over by Billie Eilish
Andrew is first generation Nigerian. Most of his family is still in Africa. NBC leaked this audition last week. His grandfather was the chief of his village, where Andrew is considered a “prince.” Also, he comes from a family of doctors and has been applying to medical schools. But he still wants to sing! Andrew quickly receives a 4 chair turn for his trembly and emotional R&B delivery.
Gwen admires his mixture of styles. He loves a lot of the classics. John, the last to turn, is “intrigued.” Andrew explains that he’s performed musical theater, and is deciding whether to go to medical school or not. John drops his knowledge of West African music. “I really really believe in you,” Camila gushes. She loves his runs and emotions. She reminds him, as a former singing competition alum, she can help him with his performance. Blake tries the geography angle, noting that his home state Oklahoma is close to Arkansas. But Andrew says he’s only “a little bit” country. In the end, Andrew chooses Camila. Even though mom wanted him to pick John, Camila’s enthusiastic pitch won him over. – 4-chair tune – Andrew picks Team Camila.
Carla Brindisi – 34 – All Too Well by Taylor Swift
She attended Berklee and studied music therapy. Her grandfather had Alzheimer’s and she was able to help him. Her clients have urged her to pursue a music career. She “definitely” wants Blake to turn for her. The song is country era Taylor Swift. Blake DOES turn, pointing his finger straight at the singer. Gwen turns too. Her voice isn’t particularly distinctive. She doesn’t cut through particularly. Does she have much experience singing live?
She explains that she loves telling stories. Camila does an about face and advocates for Blake. John supports Gwen. WOOSTER is how Blake pronounces her hometown Worcester, Mass. Nope! “I’d love to be your coach,” he says. Gwen spotlights her musical versatility. Carla picks Gwen. And that’s not surprising. Because anytime a singer says “I want “x” to turn” means the singer is not going to pick them. Maybe his mangling Worcester turned her off! – Blake and Gwen turn, Cara picks Team Gwen
Billy Craver – 29 – She Got the Best of Me by Luke Combs
Billy works as a pharmacist and was the first college student in his family. In school, he started a band with his fellow pharmacy students. He considers himself a pop country singer. He has opened up for a few major artists, but his day job keeps him busy. He has a familiar sounding twang, but the band is drowning him out. His voice sounds thin, and nobody turns. It’s back to the pharmacy for Billy.
Blake calls his country tone “great.” But Blake thinks his diction needed to improve. Gwen loved certain moments, but felt he needed more accuracy. John calls his sound “commercial,” but needs a little polish. – No Turns
Valerie Harding – 41 – Giving Him Something He Can Feel by En Vogue
She has four kids and works as a loan specialist. But she sings every chance she gets. She and her husband run a sound business and perform at weddings. She’s a really good singer. The sort of artist with talent that went on to get married and have a family rather than pursue a career. She’s a bit old-fashioned, however.
She’s from Tulsa, Oklahoma, which perks Blake right up. Camila didn’t turn, but calls her rifs and runs “crazy.” Gwen liked her “lazy” timing. John notes that he’s the first person to turn for her. He liked her vibrato and felt she made an old classic fresh. – John and Gwen turned, Valerie picks Team Legend
Julia Aslani – 23 – Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
Julia loves singing to her horses and is training to be a jumper. She’s engaged to a guy she met in high school. She got pregnant at 18. Regardless, she was able to go to college. Currently. she sings for fun. But wants to give music a shot. Her song choice is interesting. Her sound is slinky. She’s still raw, however. She could do more with dynamics. Gwen turns right away. And because she took the song nowhere, it’s a one chair turn.
Blake regrets not turning. Camila compares her to Ariana, but she didn’t like the song choice. John liked her approach to the song. “I think they’re all stupid,” says Gwen, saying Julia might be one of her favorite singers. – Only Team Gwen turned.
The Dryes – Husband/Wife Duo – Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Katelyn is 33 and her husband Derek is 36. They have been together 15 years and married for 10. They met on a blind date. The duo live and work in Nashville. As soon as Blake realizes they are a duo, he hits his button. Katelyn is the better singer. Her powerful voice gets Gwen to turn.
Gwen’s dream is to sing the classic song with husband Blake. “There’s no better way to duet, than if you’re doing it,” quips Blake. “Country music is all I’ve ever done,” he adds, on a more serious note. Gwen loves their look. But she’s already lost this one, for sure. The couple pretends that it’s a hard choice. Gwen and Blake turn, The Dryes pick Team Blake
Ava Lynn Thuresson – 18 – Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
She recently graduated from high school. She lives next door to her cousins and was close to one in particular, named Dawson. At 13, she lost him to a drowning accident. For awhile, she couldn’t sing. But eventually she turned to songwriting and the first one she penned was about her late cousin. She sings an R&B arrangement of the Britney Spears classic. Her version is very torchy and mature. She’s a bubbly personality, until she sings, and seems 10 years older. John is the first to turn. Camila turns next. Sorry John! You’re probably toast.
Ava feels she’s country and a little bit of soul. There was no country in that! Camila loved that she made the song grungy and angsty. John reminds everyone that he turned first. “You have such an open lane for yourself.” Gwen regrets not turning. Blake threatens to steal her. John and Camila battle it out for Ava. Camila mentions her X Factor experience for the eleventy billionth time. Ava chooses Camila, unsurprisingly. – John and Camila turn. Ava picks Team Camila
Madison Hughes – 25 – Knockin on Heavens Door by Bob Dylan
Madison travels around as a videographer, filming documentaries and more. She likes telling stories. It’s a reason why she loves music as well. She has a really interesting tone. It’s classic country/folk. When Gwen hits her button, so does Blake. Her voice isn’t strong in her upper register, but its evocative. Camila hits her button at the last minute!
“I’m here for the twang,” says Madison. She admits that she hasn’t performed live much. “I was on a singing competition show,” says Camila. I think she’s mentioned that more than either Kelly Clarkson or Jennifer Hudson during their coaching stints. Madison grew up on Americana and Folk but she’s also into Drake. Blake makes fun of Camila’s “juxtaposition.” Gwen likes that she’s a “melting pot,” because she considers herself that way too. Gwen, Blake and Camila turn, Madison picks Team Blake
Sasha Hurtado – 18 – River by Bishop Briggs
John and Camila hit their buttons right away for the big voiced singer. Her runs, range and tone are all impressive. Her intonation is effortless. I’m surprised she only got two turns.
She loves Harry Styles and H.E.R. She considers herself a pop artist and performs live around her Georgia town. Her father is from Mexico, which bodes well for Camila! Her dad loves Mariachi music. John loves her tone and vibrato. He predicts that Camila will speak in Spanish and mention her singing show experience. Camila feels that she and Sasha are similar musically. Blake compares Sasha to Carrie Underwood. The singer says she gets that all the time! John and Camila turn, Sasha picks Team Camila The joke now, is that John can’t beat Camila.
Dominic Patrick – 37 – U Got it Bad by Usher
His parents come from huge families. He has 40 cousins. At 15, he learned he was going to become a father. He scrounged for work. He got his GED and found a job. Dang. He’s a grandfather to a grade school aged kid! Dominic has a smooth, old school sounding tone. He’s very soulful. But unfortunately, no turns. Aw. Somebody should have turned!
Camila wanted more texture from his voice. Gwen enjoyed the performance. “You have a really beautiful voice.” She tells him to come back with a different song. John agrees. He needed to pick a song that’s “more grand,” he says. – No Turns
Morgan Taylor – 20 – Cuz I Love You by Lizzo
Morgan enters the stage with her back to the viewing audience as she speaks about her battle with anxiety. We don’t see her face until she begins to sing. Her powerful voice gets immediate chair turns from Blake, Gwen and John. This song isn’t a great competition song. But she’s killing it nevertheless. Camila eventually turns. She has a beautiful head voice. She hits a crazy high note at the end. A big fight is ahead.
She’s from Indiana, but is now living in Nashville, studying at Belmont. Soulful pop is her genre. Camila felt her nerves. She thinks she can help her. Gwen compliments her stage presence, but believes she can help her take it further. John notes the difficulty of the song and compliments her soprano vocal. John thinks he can help her work on her strengths. Blake feels he understands The Voice and how to compete. 4-chair turn, Morgan picks Team Legend. The Camila curse is over.
