The Voice 26 Recap: Blind Auditions 6 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 26 Blind Auditions CONCLUDE tonight with episode 6, alongside new coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg and 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” allows a coach to hit their button after an artist is done singing (typically, coaches must turn during the performance).
On this last episode of the Blind Auditions, the coaches have used all their blocks and replays. All that’s left is to complete their teams.
The Voice 2024: Full Season 26 Schedule (New Twist!) (UPDATED)
The Voice 26 Contestant Preview (15 Singers to Watch!)
Katie O – 18 – One Way Ticket (Because I Can) by Leann Rimes
NBC previewed Katie’s audition earlier today. Watch it HERE. She’s from Jacksonville and is into fishing and shrimping. Being in nature helps her country songwriting. Her father died when she was nine and he never got to hear her sing. Music became her coping mechanism.
The coaches turn pretty fast for Katie. But it takes a minute for country queen Reba to complete the 4-chair turn. Katie is obviously delighted when Reba turns. Katie is a decent singer. Although she nails the key change, she’s flat in spots. I wouldn’t call her 4-chair worthy.
Reba was nice to turn, but but she’s not pitching hard for her. It’s Gwen who really wants her, and is not happy that Reba turned. Snoop is also impressed with Katie, but walks back his interest, seemingly in deference to Reba. Michael spends his pitch goofing on being from Florida (he’s not!). Unsurprisingly, Katie picks Reba. Gwen might have been a better pick. Katie would have had her own lane on a team that really wanted her. – 4-chair turn, Katie picks Team Reba
Mikaela Ayira – 16 – Human by Christina Perri
The 16 year old from Georgia has been writing since she was 8. She’s also a big fan of The Voice. She’s in high school currently and works at coffee shops and open mic gigs. The Voice is the biggest stage she’s “ever stepped on.”
Off the bat, Mikaela displays a beautiful soulful tone which prompts Snoop to hit his button. A big note gets Reba to turn. She’s young and will likely only get better in a few years. But already, her phrasing and emotion are well developed. She’s very cute!
Michael said if he knew she was 16, he would have turned. Reba is impressed by her pretty voice and range. Gwen didn’t turn, but realizes her youth contributed to her iffy moments. Snoop promises to help her “get to the mountaintop.” Mikaela picks Snoop! Snoop and Reba turn, Mikaela picks Team Snoop.
Cassidy Lee – 28 (Season 18 returnee) – You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt
Cassidy auditioned for season 18 with “Gold Dust Woman” and got no turns. She is embarrassed that she admitted to coach Nick Jonas that she stanned him. Although she got no turns, the coaches advised her to come back with a song that tells her story. She feels now that she’s found her strength as a front woman. She belongs to a band and has played the Opry. And she opened for ZZ Top.
Auditioning for a new set of coaches and sticking with the 70s vibe, she finally gets a turn. Michael hits his button. She sings with an appealing raspy voice. She doesn’t get more interest from the coaches, but at least she’s in.
Cassidy reveals she’s a returnee. Reba explains that her team is filling up. Cassidy shares that she loves old rock n roll. Michael is happy to have Cassidy to himself. Later, Michael explains that he has a thing for “character” voices. – Only Team Michael turned
Torion Sellers – There Goes My Baby by Usher
This soulful, montaged singer got Team Michael to turn their chair. Gwen felt the performance was chaotic, but liked his tone. Michael promises to help him be “less wild.” He explains later that his team is “male heavy” and hopes to find a female singer to add to his team. – Only Michael turned
Cozy Len – 43 – I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men
From Baton Rouge Louisiana, he’s ready to party. He started a rap group in his teens. Music was tough money-wise, so he got a barber licence and opened a shop. In 2021 he closed his place to devote 100 percent to music. He’s a full time dad while traveling with a “party band.” He tears up as he confesses, “This is my last shot…my last ditch effort.”
The problem with many older contestants–they are hopelessly old fashioned. He has a lovely voice, but this is a performance that would fit in a cruise performance, but not on the modern stage. Still, after hitting a big note, Gwen hit her button, and then Reba.
Michael explains that he already has soul singers on his team, which is filling up. Snoop appreciates his swag. “You are in great hands.” Gwen loves his tone, but notes tuning problems at the beginning. But she loved the end of the performance and believes she can help him. “You just relaxed me,” says Reba. Cozy picks Gwen! Gwen and Reba turn, Cozy picks Team Gwen.
Zaza Benjamin – 16 – Hard Place by H.E.R.
From Oakland, California, Zaza lives in a loft with her two sisters. She and her siblings attend a performance arts school. But she struggles with confidence and is “terrified.”
The song range is a little low for her in the verses and it affects her pitch. She DOES seem very nervous. She improves on the chorus. But the pitch problems are doing her in, and nobody turns. Aw. She’s only 16, she should come back. Reba notes the song’s beginning was tough. Snoop sees the greatness in her. Gwen advises she keep working. Michael insists, “You’ve lost nothing today…you are good enough.”- No Turns.
Jose Luis – 21 – Traitor by Olivia Rodgrigo
Jose sings in a high tenor that made it tough to know whether he was male or female. But his tone is so remarkable, he got 4 chairs to turn even as the teams are close to full.
The singer is from Puerto Rico. It’s an old fashioned place, so he’s felt odd as a guy who likes fashion and feminine things. But his environment propelled him to pursue his artistry.
Snoop, between bits of candy, calls his voice “big, like movie big.” Michael speaks to Jose in Spanish. “You have a beautiful voice. Welcome to The Voice,” he says in English. Gwen loves his dynamics and feels he made the song his own. She feels he has much more to show. Reba notes his round and powerful voice. Ultimately, Jose picks Gwen. 4-chair turn, Jose picks Team Gwen
TEAM GWEN IS FULL
Joe Martinez – 20 – Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
Joe lives in beautiful Polson, Montana, next to a lake. He describes himself as a blues musician and singer. The cold winters are hard. His wife works, and that helps. They got married a year after graduating from high school. He almost signed up for the military. But then The Voice called.
Joe flips this 70s classic into a slow bluesy number. Earlier in the round, he would have gotten a turn at least. Will he tonight with the teams filling up? Nope. Too bad, he has a pleasant easy and breezy style and an appealing tone. Michael suggests he come back. Snoop believes he has a bright future. Reba and Gwen also suggest he come back. – No Turns
Aleyah Khaylyn – 23 – Love and War by Tamar Braxton
The Philadelphia singer has been performing since she was kid and has played the Apollo Theater among other venues. Her mom was supportive. But sadly, she died suddenly and her autopsy didn’t turn up anything conclusive. The young singer studied music therapy at Berklee College of Music.
Her voice is mature beyond her 23 years. She sings with an effortless and soulful tone. Her range is impressive. The remaining coaches with spots–Michael, Reba and Snoop–all turn their chairs.
Michael believes she has “light shining out” of her when she performs. Snoop can hear the soul and gospel in her voice. Reba says, “You’ve got the voice of an angel,” Aleyah namechecks the Clark Sisters and Stevie Wonder. Michael claims he needs her because his team has “too much testosterone.” Aleyah picks–after the break!–Michael! I thought she’d go with Snoop. Michael, Snoop and Reba turned, Aleyah picks Team Buble
Michael sings “I’m feeling goooood” to announce that HIS TEAM IS FULL.
Alison Elena – 29 – So Small by Carrie Underwood
She’s from New York, but finished college in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives now. She writes and plays music full time. She works as a nanny to make ends meet. Her family influenced her country stylings.
She sounds like Carrie, which might work against her, because she’s not making the song her own. Still, she has a pretty tone and a big range. And Reba hits her button. Probably what she wanted! Snoop probably thinks “what the hell” and turns as well.
Gwen, advocates for Reba. Michael points out that the performance started rocky, but got better and better. “I turned because Reba turned,” says Snoop and actually turns it over to his “nemesis.” Snoop jokes over how hard it is to compete, and calls Reba “Reba Magnet-tire.” A big magnet descends from the ceiling. Hijinks! The crowd is chanting “REBA” as Alison picks her – Reba and Snoop turn, Alison picks Team Reba
REBA’S TEAM IS FULL
Laney Lynx – 32 – Jaded by Miley Cyrus
Aw. Laney made cookies for the coaches. Probably all that effort was for naught, because there is only one spot left (Team Snoop) and there is enough time on the show for a no turn. She’s originally from Rhode Island but now lives in Los Angeles. She got married to her college sweetheart. They have played everywhere together. But now, she’s stepping out as a solo artist.
That breathy first note doesn’t bode well for her chances. But Gwen is impressed. Her voice is soft and raspy and needs more dynamics. Her sound is unusual, though. She saves the best for last, and might have gotten a turn if she auditioned earlier in the round. Gwen calls it one of her favorite performances. She’s mad she couldn’t turn. Snoop appreciates her upbeat spirit and suggests she come back. Laney passes out her cookies, regardless – No Turns
Suede Lacy – 29 – Redbone
The singer dabbles in all types of art, including painting, filmmaking, fiber arts and more. Lately, he animated videos for Macy Gray and Chris Brown. His mother sings soprano at church. He’s been songwriting since grade school. His late step father never put his artwork out there, and Suede wonders why. He can feel him with him as he embarks upon his The Voice journey.
Obviously, at 5 minutes to 10, Snoop is going to hit his button for his last team member! But Suede is worthy of that turn. He sounds like a male Macy Gray. The runs are a little shaky, but his tone is unusual enough to take notice.
Reba calls him different than anything that’s been on The Voice. She loves his “vibe.” Gwen appreciates his slow and fast vibrato, along with his raspiness. Michael calls his tone lovely and rich. “When you started singing I knew it. Your spirit jumped into my spirit.” – Snoop completes his team
Team Snoop is full
Next Monday the Battles Begin!
