The Voice 26 Recap: Blind Auditions 4 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 26 Blind Auditions continue to episode 4 with new coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg alongside returning vets Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
For the Blinds: Each team winds up with 14 artists. Each coach gets a block, and new TWIST called “The Coaches Replay” which allows a coach to hit their button after an artist is done singing (typically, coaches must turn during the performance).
The Voice 2024: Full Season 26 Schedule (New Twist!)
The Voice 26 Contestant Preview (15 Singers to Watch!)
J. Paul – 37 – I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) by Michael McDonald
J. Paul kicked off his performance in shadow, and at first I assumed he was a female contralto. But, no. He’s a dusky tenor, if that makes sense. It’s a unique and interesting sound. Gwen and Michael turn together. Snoop almost hits his button after a money note. But then Reba turns at the last minute.
Jason is his name, and he’s from Washington DC. Snoop promises to steal him. Reba thought he was a woman. “I’ve gotten that my whole life.” He can sing soprano, he reveals. His mother is a choral instructor and musician. For the last 10 years, he’s been singing background vocals.
Reba added, “You’re a surprise, but a very great surprise.” Gwen calls him intuitive and natural. She promises to be his cheerleader and leads the audience in a “Hollaback Girl” cheer. Michael WON’T be a cheerleader, he’ll be a collaborator. “You’re the real deal,” he says. The collab pitch works—the singer picks Michael. Gwen, Michael, Reba turn, Jason picks Team Buble
Sloan Simon – 19 – Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
Sloan is a Yinzer! (iykyk) aka from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She’s close to her family, including her sister (her songwriting partner) and mom. Mom was diagnosed with cancer, and eventually recovered but it returned. Now, her dad is battling cancer. She won a contest and opened for Ann Wilson. Currently, she is a student at NYU.
She accompanies herself on acoustic guitar and seems nervous, but her tone and phrasing are pretty. She relaxes after chairs turn–that big smile!
Michael and Gwen hit their buttons. Michael LOVES Pittsburgh! He’ll say anything. Heh. She shares that she picked the song because it’s her father’s favorite. Michael reveals that it’s his wedding anniversary. Gwen jokes she hates liars, but then claims it’s her wedding anniversary too (it’s not). Gwen compliments the way she changed up the song. Sloan shares that once, her mother dressed her up like Gwen. Gwen and Michael battle it out for awhile. Ultimately Sloan picks Gwen – Michael and Gwen turn, Sloan picks Team Gwen
Michael Alexandersson – 26 – Ain’t that a kick in the Head
Michael, from Salado Texas, listens to all kinds of music, but loves oldies. He performs hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s–the era in which his dad played for artists like Percy Sledge. “I look a lot younger than I sound like.”
The third standards singer of the season gets Snoop and Gwen to turn fast. But Michael is holding back. He does sing with a deep tone, that sounds kinda old. But he’s not as good as the singer Michael turned for in auditions 2 and he does NOT turn for Michael.
“I don’t need to compete against someone like you,” says Michael. C’mon. Be honest. Gwen likes his control and how he sings the “ends.” She thinks she can help with his stage presence. Snoop delivers a word salad. WHAT? He’s gotta be disappointed that Michael didn’t turn. In the end, Michael chooses Snoop. After, Michael says he’s looking for artists who can do more than one thing. – Gwen and Snoop turn, Michael picks Team Snoop
Jamison Puckett – 34 – Faithfully by Journey
Jamison is a worship leader at a church. He spent time playing in Memphis, which influenced him. Now, he lives in Los Angeles. He just found out that his wife is pregnant with their first child. He sings an original song during his video package. For his audition He’s singing “Faithfully” for his family.
The voice in the video package sounded rootsy. But here, he’s full throated and passionate. He actually has a big range and phrases the song using bits of falsetto. It’s very weird that nobody has turned yet. But finally Reba and Michael hit their buttons.
So, Michael’s thing on the show is lying while the coaches call it out. “You can sing the phonebook,” he says after telling a crazy story involving “fight club.” Reba doesn’t try hard to woo Jamison, unless it was cut. Jamison picks Michael. – Michael and Reba turn, Jamison picks Team Buble
Zach Foreman – 34 – Eight Second Ride by Jake Owen
Zach and his wife own a coffeeshop in Mississippi. He’s been singing since he turned 15. But then he started having children and fell away from music. Recently he picked it up again, and the passion is back.
His timing feels off. Decent tone, but he seems rusty. He sounds like someone who’s been away from music for awhile and unsurprisingly, nobody turns.
Reba notes that he was off (he was!). Snoop asks what his favorite HERBAL tea is. Sorry, Snoop, they don’t sell drugs. Michael advises him to never give up. – No Turns
Gabrielle Zabosky – 25 – Mr. Know it All by Kelly Clarkson
She grew up in a trailer in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Money was tight for mom and five kids. She did a Walmart acapella challenge which included a commercial for them with the group.
It’s a Kelly Clarkson deep cut! She overdoes the runs and is pitchy in spots. WHOA YELLY ON THE HIGH NOTES. She needs to CALM DOWN. She’s pretty terrible, yet she got a 4 chair turn and a BLOCK. Ok. then. She’s overexcited, which is the problem. Maybe she’s a better singer than she showed here.
Reba calls her adorable. Snoop is mad that Reba blocked him. Gwen calls her a “diamond in the rough.” That’s one way to put it. She wants to help the singer improve. Michael wonders if she was nervous, before launching into another crazy story about the Titanic. “There is room on my door for the both of us!” – 4-chair turn, Reba blocks Snoop, Gabrielle picks Team Gwen
Christina Eagle – 23 – Wildflowers and Wild Horses by Lainey Wilson
She graduated high school early so she could sing. She became a worship leader. Two weeks before she was born her bio dad was killed in a car accident. Then her mom died in a car accident a year later. Her grandparents raised her. She cries, wishing her mom was around to watch her.
The North Carolina native is a solid country singer. She performs with intensity and passion. She uses her rasp well. Snoop hit his button at the last minute.
Reba didn’t turn because she heard some nerves at the beginning. Snoop appreciates Christina’s spirit. “I don’t want perfection, I want what you are.” – Only Team Snoop turned
Jaukeem Fortson – 13 – Easy on Me by Adele
Jaukeem lives with his family in small town Georgia. I’m sorry, but 13 is too young to be on one of these shows! He describes himself as a “church boy.” His family calls him an old soul who loves worship music. He really wants Michael to turn. Seriously, he speaks like a 45 year old.
However, he sings real good for a 13 year old. He performs with an assurance and polish that alludes most teen singers. He also oversings a little. His first choice Michael turns immediately. He gets 3 chairs. When Gwen sees how young he is, she regrets not turning.
Reba laughs when Jaukeem sang her song back to her. He’s so precocious. Michael promises to help him with his runs. But he doesn’t blame him for showing off a bit. Snoop compliments his parents for raising him right. Jaukeem ultimately picks Reba! He brings his parents out to shake Snoop’s hand – Michael, Reba and Snoop turn, Jaukeem picks Team Reba
Kourtney White – 37 – Remedy
The McKinney, Texas native began singing in church. Eventually, she uploaded a self-penned song to social media and it blew up (over 1 million views). But then, she ended up in the hospital and had brain surgery. She recovered quicker than they expected.
Vocally, she performs with a strong and sturdy contralto. It’s lovely. But the coaches aren’t moved to turn. She looks so disappointed. Somebody should have turned. Gwen calls her talented. Don’t be discouraged, she said. Snoop suggests she come back with a church song – No Turns
Kevin James Graham – 33 – Stay with Me by Rod Stewart
Kevin stays in shadow for the entire performance until Reba hits her button. He performs the Rod Stewart classic befitting the 70s era, with similar grit and raspiness.
From Boston, he speaks in a very high voice, which Kevin says he’s had all his life. Oh. He performs at Boston Red Sox games. GO SOX. Michael thought he was a woman or a very young male. Hm. Maybe because even in shadow, he seemed like a man he sounded like a male to me. Reba turns thinking he was female. Oops! – Only Team Reba turned
Shye – 17 – Superman (It’s Not Easy) by Five for Fighting
She missed her high school graduation to audition for The Voice. Currently, she’s living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she sings in “a lot of pizzerias.” Her mom loves the song Shye chose. She was sick for much of Shye’s childhood.
Her singing voice. She’s reminiscent of Wé Ani who competed on both The Voice and American Idol. Sans the squeaky speaking voice though. Her voice is full and rich and she performs with subtly and feeling. All that earned her a 4-chair turn.
Reba compares her voice to butter and brags “I won the last season!” Gwen is very excited to have Shye on her team. Michael calls her range “wonderful.” He adds, “You’re adorable.” Snoop says, “You’re made for this.” He thinks he can help her grow into who she wants to be. Shye brought fancy rocks as gifts. Then, she picks Michael! – 4-chair turn, Shye picks Team Buble
