The Voice 26 Recap: Premiere Blind Auditions Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 26 Blind Auditions begin 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). Reba uses her “replay” tonight! So watch out for that.
The Voice 2024: Full Season 26 Schedule (New Twist!)
The Voice 26 Contestant Preview (15 Singers to Watch!)
Jake Tankersley – 31 – Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan
Right after high school, Oklahoman Jake married. Before 25 they had 4 kids! At home he leads worship at church. His kids are young and VERY close in age!
The song begins with a moody guitar intro. Gwen and Snoop don’t wait long to hit their buttons. In the meantime, Gwen blocked Reba. Jake has a pleasant sonorous country voice. His wife cries off stage. It’s a solid effort. Not sure I’d waste a block on him, though.
Snoop brags about hitting his button first. He rattles off a bunch of country artists he’s worked with. Gwen rubs it in, performing a few pushups in front of Reba’s chair. Gwen mentions that she lives in Tishomingo with her husband Blake Shelton. She loved his low notes. But they seemed a little out of his range. Michael mentions that he’s co-written with Blake. Snoop is going to be full of the quips. He might get annoying pretty fast. In the end, Jake picks Team Snoop. We’ll never know if he would have picked Reba. Gwen wasted her block. OH WELL.
Snoop’s contestant gift is a “death row” chain.
4-chair turn, Gwen blocks Reba. Jake picks Team Snoop
Sofronio Vasquez – 31 – I’m Going Down by Mary J. Blige
NBC previewed Sofronio’s audition HERE. He explains in his native language that he’s from the Philippines. He talks about his love of karaoke. He grew up in a slum. One room for five people. The bathroom was outside. His dad passed from kidney failure. He’s the breadwinner now.
Within 25 seconds, all 4 coaches turn for the singer. His soulful voice features a slightly raspy yet sweet tone. He places rifs and runs just so. His performance is full of passion without being overbearing.
“Player, player from the Himalayas” chants Snoop. Oh yeah, he’s gonna annoy me. Reba calls Sofronio the “whole package.” Gwen calls it a “Grammy performance” She believes she can help him pick songs. Michael has a BUNCH of fans in the Philippines and feels a special connection to the country. He’s emotional speaking about it. He’s sure the two could win together. Snoop boasts about his soul bonifides and that he’d be the perfect mentor. From there, Michael and Snoop battle it out.
4-chair turn, Sofronio picks Team Buble
Michael’s gift to contestants is a hockey shirt from Canada!
Jan Dan – 29 – Almost Doesn’t Count by Brandy
The Newark, NJ singer is from a musical family. His mother was in the music industry at one point. He and his wife are expecting their first child.
Jan has the old school soul vibe happening. His voice is smooth and soulful. Interesting that Snoop didn’t turn. He may be too generic for his tastes. Jan’s performance is pleasant, solid but it’s not out of this world.
Gwen explains why she’d be better a coach than Michael. She explains how she’d help him with stage presence. She teaches him on the spot how to make eye contact with an audience. Michael who seemed like a shoe-in admits defeat. Snoop would vote for Gwen and her special coaching. Reba advocates for Gwen too. And in the end, he picks her.
Michael and Gwen turn, Jan picks Team Gwen
Ravs – 29 – Say So by Doja Cat
The Dallas, Texas singer fronts a 7 piece band. She’s also an artist. She plans to sing AND rap for her audition. She’s having pitch problems on a song that’s not easy to sing. This particular tune is not a great competition song. It’s got no range. Unsurprisingly, nobody turned.
Reba suggests she come back and try a song with a wider range. Gwen suggests she look back at the film and figure out what she did right and wrong. Michael understands why her vocal was shaky during the scariest moment of her life.
No Turns
Danny Joseph – 37 – I Put a Spell on You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Originally from London, now he lives in Dallas. Back in England, he busked on the street. He’s been married for 9 years and has 3 children. Back in 2016, Danny received a crohn’s disease diagnosis (an autoimmune disease that attacks the intestines) and it’s been a struggle.
He strums an electric guitar as he wails the introduction. That got him turns from Reba and Snoop. He’s a skilled guitar player and his voice is raspy and soulful. Michael hits his button to discover that Snoop blocked him. Uh oh. Gwen turns last.
Reba name checks Annie Lennox’s version. But hers is a cover! Gwen calls him “strong and secure.” Michael loves his mustache as well as his vocal control. Putting on a horrendous fake English accent, and blowing “smoke” in the room, Snoop isn’t really convincing. And without even trying very hard, Danny picks Reba
4-chair turn, Snoop blocks Michael, Danny picks Team Reba
Reba’s gift is a “funko pop” Reba doll.
Ben Fagerstedt – 23 – I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra
There will be a few standards singers on The Voice his season because of Buble. Apparently the two had a moment at one of his concerts. The young crooner plays around town, including at assisted living facilities.
He sings the tune they sang together “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Standards is a deceptive genre to sing well. There’s a required jazz swing that many young inexperienced singers can’t nail. Like Ben for instance, he does NOT swing, so he got no turns.
Michael picks apart his technical problems and urges him to come back after maturing more. As a consolation, Michael joins Ben on stage for duet. Here’s Frank showing the world how to do it HERE. That’s a young Quincy Jones leading the band!
No Turns
Torre Blake – On & On by Erykah Badu
Torre’s dad was an NFL player for 14 years! He played for a bunch of teams.
Interesting singer! Torre has a unique vibe, but her voice is on the breathy side. She seems nervous. But her ambitious style is appreciated. However, she’s the kind of quirky singer that doesn’t last long on the show.
Michael claims he didn’t turn because he didn’t want to compete with Snoop. Reba compares Torre’s voice to butter–rich and smooth. Hm. Snoop compliments dad on being a loving father. Gwen likes her “airy” voice. Gwen will help her find her voice. Dad eventually joins her on stage. And of course, THEY pick Snoop.
Gwen and Snoop turn, Torre picks Team Snoop
Kendall Eugene – 37 – Don’t Think Jesus by Morgan Wallen
Kendall comes from a musical family. His mother became paralyzed after her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. As the oldest in the family, he took responsibility for his younger brother. When his girlfriend got pregnant, they gave him up for an open adoption. The two still have contact while he’s had 3 more children.
Kendell delivers an emotional performance. It’s a good song pick, his voice is radio ready. But nobody turns! Oh right. The “Replay Button.” Gwen didn’t press because of tuning problems. Hm. Michael felt he needed a different song. Reba has “second thoughts” as Kendall exits the stage and she’s the first to use the new button. But it feels contrived, like she waited on purpose for the dramz. I mean, the dude deserved a turn. Kendall was literally in tears when he realized she’d saved him. Eh.
No Turns, but Reba uses her “Coach Replay” button
AGT host Terry Crews joins Carson backstage to promote Tuesday night’s America’s Got Talent finale.
Kiara Vega – 18 – Amor Eterno
Kiara has an identical twin sister. But they are not a duo. Only Kiara will sing. The Spanish language song she picked is one her grandfather liked a lot.
Her sweet and innocent sounding voice captivates the coaches. They begin hitting their buttons right away. Only Gwen stays put. I have no idea what she’s signing about but she’s so earnest, I can feel it.
Michael loves Spanish music. His wife is from Argentina and he speaks Spanish–to Kiara. Gwen noted some tuning issues as to why she did not turn. Reba understood the feeling, if not the words. Snoop loves Latin music. Kiara whose family is Puerto Rican and she sings jazz and R&B as well. Of course, she picks Team Buble.
Michael, Reba and Snoop turn, Kiara picks Team Buble
Chrisdeo – 16 – I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz
She’s a senior in high school. Her mom introduced her to karaoke. Singing is a respite from living in a a low income project in Queens. Her neighbors hate when she plays and sings. She and her mother are close.
She sounds very young. Yet, there is a maturity to her delivery. She still has a ways to go but shows potential. There’s something compelling in her tone. Both Michael and Snoop turn. She’s crying so hard at the end, Gwen and Reba take the stage to give her hugs.
Gwen calls her voice angelic and a “diamond in the rough.” The young singer describes people laughing at her when she busks in the street. Michael shares that he struggled as a busker early in his career. Reba claims all the angels are around her when she sings. Snoop is moved by her story. “You are strong” he says. “Learn how to cry tears of happiness.” Chrisdeo picks Snoop.
Michael and Snoop turn, Chrisdeo picks Team Snoop
Sydney Sterlace – 15 – Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo
Fifteen year old Sydney is from Buffalo New York. Gwen, who LOVES the young singers, hit her button first. Snoop and Michael followed, and then finally Reba. A four chair turn. The young singer still has a few rough edges, but she performs with a commanding emotional presence.
The coaches can’t believe she’s only a teen. Gwen mentions that Olivia sang with her at Coachella. “I’m like your mom right now!” Gwen insists. “We stand on the shoulders of the people we love,” says Michael. Snoop is impressed at the way she held the audience. Reba felt her maturity. Then Gwen brings out a kitten she claims she “found” and will be naming Sydney. OK then. “I’ve had my heart set on Gwen,” says Sydney. No gimmicks necessary.
4-chair turn, Sydney picks Team Gwen
