The fourth season of The Voice premiered on Monday, March 25th, introducing the reality singing competition’s new judges: R&B pro Usher and Latin-pop songstress Shakira. Replacing previous judges Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera, who have left the show to work on other projects, the two newbie-judges seem promising to up the ratings on the already-popular singing competition for the duration of this season. As the new “Team Voice” searched throughout America via several sets of blind auditions—in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City—the judges each got their chances to hand-pick aspiring singers for their teams.
The premiere started off with all four coaches, Usher, Shakira, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton, performing the timeless classic “Come Together.” While all four of them sang, Levine played the drums, Shelton strummed his acoustic guitar, and surprisingly, Usher kind-of played the bass while Shakira wailed on the harmonica. The unique performance prepared the audience for an exciting night of blind auditions.
On Monday night, a total of eight contestants were put through into the next round by the coaches. Each contestant picked which judge he or she wanted to be coached by, depending on who turned around during his or her audition. Team Blake picked up its first three artists: harmonizing sister duo The Morgan Twins, 16-year-old country girl Danielle Bradbery, and 20 year-old Christian Porter, who played an acoustic guitar while singing his own impressive rendition of “Sexy and I Know It.” The one-and-only artist of the night that Team Adam acquired was Judith Hill. Hill, who sang with Michael Jackson on his tour one week before his death, wowed every single one of the judges with Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants,” making herself a frontrunner in the process. Team Shakira welcomed its first two artists: soulful crooner Mark Andrew, and former recording artist Kris Thomas, who belted out Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You,” just as Houston would. Team Usher also included its first two artists: 21 year-old indie singer Jess Kellner, and Atlanta-raised Vedo who sang Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend.”
The Voice‘s second show of the season aired the following night on Tuesday, March 26. Team Blake failed to score any new team members, keeping its total at three artists. Despite only getting one artist on the night of the premiere, Team Adam picked up Idaho folk group Midas Whale, and 22 year-old vocal powerhouse Sarah Simmons, making the team total also at three artists.Team Shakira added unique country singer Tawnya Reynolds and 19 year-old Bronx native Cáthia, who auditioned with a beautiful Spanish song. Being the only team with four total artists so far, Team Shakira is leading the pack. Currently with a total of three artists as well, Team Usher picked up 27 year-old male model Josiah Hawley, who was gutsy enough to sing Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” in front of Adam Levine.
Tune in to The Voice on Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2 at 8|7c on NBC for the next set of blind auditions.
