The Voice Recap: Season 18 Begins With Brand New Blind Auditions

The Voice is back! Are you watching?

Written by Tammy Ragusa
The Voice Recap: Season 18 Begins With Brand New Blind Auditions
THE VOICE -- "Blind Auditions" Episode 1801 -- Pictured: Joanna Serenko -- (Photo by: Mitchell Haddad/NBC)

Reality show season is upon us and NBC’s hit competition series, The Voice, has returned for its 18th season. As the season unfurls, fans will learn of new developments in the series affecting Battles, Knockouts and the live shows, however, the most obvious change is pop star Nick Jonas joining the coaching panel, taking the seat vacated by Gwen Stefani. Otherwise, coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Blake Shelton, and host Carson Daly return to their spinning red chairs.

Each team will again welcome a celebrity adviser for the Battle Rounds. Dua Lipa will sit with Team Kelly, Ella Mae with Team Legend, Bebe Rexha joins Team Blake and Team Nick enlists the help of both of his brothers, Joe and Kevin.

And, we’re off to the races!

TODD TILGHMAN (41) – Meridian, Mississippi

Married and father to eight kids (two adopted)

  • Auditioned to “We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger

4 CHAIR TURN: 1 – Nick, 2 – Blake, 3 – Kelly, 4 – John

BLAKE: “I love your voice, I love the passion, I love the range, I love how not smooth it is… you are so amped up and it reminds me why I continue to want to be a coach on this show.”

  • TEAM BLAKE

NELSON CADE III (27) – Anaheim, California

Stevie Wonder once asked to sit in with him at a show.

  • Auditioned to “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughn

4 CHAIR TURN: 1 – John, 2 – Kelly, 3 – Nick (blocked by John), 4 – Blake

NICK: “I’m jealous that they get to fight for you.”

KELLY: “I love the vibe. I love also our spirit…Your personality, that’s going to beam through, so just be you and don’t try to be anyone else.”

  • TEAM JOHN

TATE BRUSA (16) – Salt Lake City, Utah

High school sophomore, started writing songs at 11

  • Auditioned to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran

Chair turns: 1 – Nick, 2 – Blake

NICK: “I heard the fight in your voice and I think I can help you hone in the moments that weren’t your best.” (Hopped up on stage and gave him a quick vocal lesson)

BLAKE: “I thought that was an incredible performance…I feel like I’m at a disadvantage.” (Brings puppy out) “Tate, I want you to know, if you don’t choose me as your coach, this puppy is going straight back to the animal shelter.”

  • TEAM NICK

TAYLER GREEN (27) – Los Angeles, California

Started writing at 14

  • Auditioned to “Issues” by Julia Michaels

Chair turns: 1 – Kelly, 2 – Nick

KELLY: “I’m gonna fight so hard. All that pretty whispery stuff, what that explains to me is that you have control…you are so talented, just welcome to the show.”

NICK: “I don’t want to be seen as your coach, I want to be seen as your teammate.”

  • TEAM KELLY

ASHLEY PLATH (20) – Middletown, New Jersey

Meter reader

  • Auditioned to “Baby It’s You” by The Beatles

KELLY: “You have a huge range. I think the only reason that I kept going should I or shouldn’t I, there were perfect little moments, but it wasn’t consistent…I really would love for you to come back.”

JOHN: You did feel a little nervous in the beginning, it didn’t feel like you were in your zone…but come back.”

  • NO CHAIRS

DARIOUS LYLES (30) – Chicago, Illinois

Brought his biological mother

  • Auditioned to “How Do You Sleep” by Sam Smith

Chair turns: 1 – John, 2 – Kelly

BLAKE: “I didn’t hit my button because I could tell there was a home for you out of the two people who hit their button… I’m very happy for you.”

JOHN: “What I loved about your performance, particularly your low range… there were a little bit of pitch problems, but that’s something your coaches can help you with.”

KELLY: “I feel like we’re put on this planet to be vessels for messages… I just thought it was really tasteful, I think you’re a talented singer and I would love to have you on my team.”

  • TEAM JOHN

MEGAN DANIELLE (17) – Douglasville, Georgia

Works at the family restaurant

  • Auditioned to “Remedy” by Adele

1 – Kelly

KELLY: “I don’t even know who your musical influences are, but that was like Adele and a little country. I love you. I feel so blessed right now. I thought you deserved four chairs… I cannot wait to work with you on my team.”

  • TEAM KELLY

CHRISSY JOLY (32) – Brooklyn, New York

Parents are from Haiti, father was a musician

  • Auditioned to “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers

KELLY: “There were parts where your voice was so on, but there were parts where you were pitchy.”

JOHN: “What a name. I love that name. You have a powerful voice and your tone is absolutely gorgeous. The areas that I found that were pitchy were the lower parts.”

  • NO CHAIRS

TODD MICHAEL HALL (50) – Saginaw, Michigan

  • Auditioned to “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner

Chairs turned: 1 – John, 2 – Blake

BLAKE: “The only reason I didn’t choose rock music is because I sound like this, but the reason you do is because you sound like that… that is a direct path to the finale.”

JOHN: “Not only were you hitting those high notes in the stratosphere, your low tones were great, too.”

  • TEAM BLAKE

EMILY BASS (16) – Magnolia, Texas

Auditioned last year, no chairs

  • Auditioned to “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber

JOHN: “We can tell when someone sounds young because the polish isn’t there yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t get there, it just needs more polish.”

KELLY: “Please don’t let this discourage your dream.

NICK: “This is the toughest part of this job. I know it hurts, but it’s going to be alright.”

  • NO CHAIRS

JOANNA SERENKO (18) – St. Louis, Missouri

  • Auditioned to “All My Loving” by The Beatles

4 CHAIR TURN: 1 – Kelly, 2 – John, 3 – Nick, 4 – Blake

BLAKE: “I don’t know in what season we’ve heard such an effortless, powerful vocal.”

JOHN: “We live for those moments when the singer gives us chills and you gave us that today.”

NICK: “You really blew me away and it was effortless…thanks for letting me hear you sing.”

KELLY: “I’ve been here for five seasons now and I haven’t heard anyone sing like that.

  • TEAM NICK

The Voice returns for the second night of Blind Auditions on February 25.