The Voice 24 Blind Audition: Rudi’s Leslie Gore cover provokes Niall Horan to block John Legend. But Gwen Stefani wins.
The Voice Season 24 continued with Week 2 of Blind Auditions. Monday’s night 3 episode featured a recurring theme that found coaches John Legend and Niall Horan engaged in a heated rivalry. Reba McEntire continued to woo contestants with her vast experience. But Gwen Stefani is the coach who truly won big.
Gwen managed to nab TWO 4-chair turns, including a night ending audition in which Niall blocked John. But in the end, it was Gwen who won over the soulful Rudi, a 28 year old singer from San Antonio, Texas.
Some of you may remember Rudi from The Bachelor’s music-themed spin-off Listen to Your Heart which aired in 2020. She made it to the final 3 with her partner Matt before they dropped out of the competition.
Formerly a car detailer, Rudi impresses the panel with a soulful rendition of “You Don’t Own Me”
Rudi works for her family-owned auto business that her father, Rudy runs alongside her entire family. The young Rudi washes and details cars. She only started working there 7 months before her audition when she took a step back from music. The experience helped her realize that the family business was not for her. Meanwhile she has sang since she was two years old. People say that she got her talent from her grandpa who was a mariachi musician. But he passed away the year she was born. Her family has sacrificed so much for her even when they didn’t have a lot, and she is grateful for that. She simply wants to turn one chair as she believes it could change her life.
Rudi sings Leslie Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” in the style of Grace. She appears nervous as she starts, but right away she displays some soulful runs and a tone reminiscent of 2000s singers like Jojo. Her runs and low notes are a nice touch to the performance. Gwen turns immediately when Rudi starts the chorus, and displays a brighter pop sound. Rudi seems to use the audition to display all of her technical skills, but the angsty song could use more emotion. Either way, she continues to nail the vocal as it goes on, and that leads to a late 4 chair turn with Niall blocking John and Reba turning.
Niall blocks John, but in the end Gwen is the winner
John is upset that Niall blocked him. Gwen is thrilled, saying she feels a “euphoria” that John is blocked. Reba calls Rudi’s singing “persuasive” adding that the singer touched her heart. Gwen notes her “great instinct” which led her to hit her button. She says Rudi has “amazing style” and is “gorgeous.” The two connect–both leaned on family to jump start their careers. Rudi shares how she wasn’t making enough money doing music, so she returned home to the auto shop. Gwen says she lived with her parents until she was 26 and that it took her band No Doubt nine years to get on the radio. Niall notes he was “just trying to block John” and calls Rudi a “star.” John feels “deprived” and doesn’t let Niall get the last word. He kind of endorses Gwen.
Ultimately, Rudi picks Gwen, who has not gotten a 4 chair turn since Season 12, meaning she went three seasons without one. Yet, on Monday’s night show she landed both Rudi and whistle note singer Chechi Sarai. Both gave excellent auditions. Another audition that wowed on Monday was Team Reba’s soulful singer Mac Royals who shocked everybody when he picked her. Honorable mentions go to folk singer Reid Zingale and country folk singer Noah Spencer who both have nice tones and fit nicely on Team Niall.
