The Voice Recap: Premiere Week Continues with Big Voices, Four-Chair Turn

Kelsea Ballerini also got down to coaching her contestants for the Comeback Stage.

Written by Tammy Ragusa
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THE VOICE -- “Blind Auditions” Episode 1502 -- Pictured: DeAndre Nico -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)

Season 15 of The Voice isn’t wasting any time bringing out the talent, and was apparent as the second night of blind auditions found coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Levine going toe-to-toe for a couple of the contestants.

Of course, the show opened with a healthy amount of giggles. Hilarious Kelly Clarkson, who took home the victory in season 14, was found hanging her photo on the coach’s Wall of Fame and toasting her win. But once the music started, it became obvious that it was anyone’s season to win.

Memphis resident Keith Paluso got things started with a husky, soulful performance of Kaleo’s “Way Down We Go.” It took about a half a minute before Blake turned his chair to stake a claim on the park-ranger-turned-singer, but Adam attempted to sneak in a spin of his chair as Keith was singing the last notes. However, Blake may have had a premonition that this might happen because, unfortunately for the Maroon 5 frontman, he was blocked.

Next up, kids’ acting and dance coach Claire DeJean from Dallas, Texas presented a tender and melodic rendition of Noah Kahan’s “Hurt Somebody.” And although Blake was the first to attempt to court this lovely young lady, Texas roots run deep and Claire chose fellow Lone Star state singer, Kelly, for her season’s coach.

Former pastor’s kid and Navy veteran Atlanta’s Franc West, delivered one of the most surprising performances of the evening, and not just in his competition piece. After singing and effortless and warm rendition of Otis Redding’s “(Sitting On) the Dock of the Bay,” Franc gave a sample of the military cadence he called during his service. While all of the coaches were way into Franc’s performance, Jennifer Hudson was the sole coach that turned and proudly declared, “the other coaches will regret not turning for Franc.”

She may be right.

Brand new newlywed, Michael Lee from Fort Worth, Texas, was the next talented singer to take the spotlight with a raw, bluesy goosebump-inducing version of B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone” while playing accompanying himself on guitar. Adam may have been the first to turn, but Jennifer was hot on his heels. However, Blake slapped his button, as well. “You literally beat me to death with that vocal performance,” Blake told the singer. And while he may not have been the first to turn for Michael, it was Blake who scored the talented young man for his season 15 team.

The competitive edge among the judges was almost palpable when the final contestant, DeAndre Nico from Port Arthur, Texas hit the stage and it got worse when he finished his performance of Bruno Mars’s heartbreaking ballad, “When I Was Your Man.” The young man, who lost his home and barely survived Hurricane Harvey, showcased an incredible range and control, going from tender to soulful to soaring and brought all four chairs to face him before he was finished.

And although Adam was edged out by Blake when it came to Michael Lee, Adam wasn’t having it this time. “DeAndre listen to me right now,” Adam said. “I heard the greatness in your voice early. I pressed my button, like a minute before everyone else,” Jennifer wasn’t out of the fight either, though. “I ain’t gonna talk around you like the rest of these coaches, I’m just going stand there and let you stand flat-footed and sang, baby, and let you be the artist that you want to be,” she said.

In the end, Adam coaxed DeAndre to his team.

Although Ele Ivory from Pelham, Tennessee didn’t get the coaches to turn for her performance of Julia Michaels’ “Jump,” she did get Kelsea Ballerini’s attention. The newest judge will bring her back for this season’s new addition “The Comeback Stage.”

Blind auditions continue when The Voice airs on Monday and Tuesday on NBC.