‘The Voice’ Recap: Coaches Teams Complete As Blind Auditions Come to A Close

Is this season of NBC’s The Voice flying by or what? It seems like coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton just took their spots in the big red chairs, and now we’ve finished up the blind auditions for season 16.

The final audition night began with Adam and Kelly each needing three artists to round out their teams, while Blake needed two more singers and John, just one talented vocalist. And remember, after the teams are filled, celebrity mentors Brooks and Dunn, Kelsea Ballerini, Charlie Puth, and Khalid will be joining the teams to help coach the contestants for the upcoming battle rounds.

The talent portion of the night started with a big bang, though, when 17-year-old New Yorker Celia Babini sang “idontwannabeyouanymore” by Billie Eilish. Already surprised by her Dad, whom she didn’t expect to be at the auditions, Celia was also blown away to get a four-chair turn. And it almost seemed as if a battle would ensue as the coaches vied for Celia’s favor.

“I feel like you have such a power,” John told her. “Your range, your story-telling. You started this song kind of like an Adele kind of vibe, and you soared. I heard some Florence, some Fiona Apple, but you also sounded like your own person as well. I feel like you’re like nobody else in the competition.” Even Blake, whom many think wants only country artists, said, “Your performance was literally captivating. I know I’m the odd man out here, but I gotta tell you that I hit my button because I think you’re a champ. Sometimes when I hear something that is completely out of my area of expertise but I still think that they could be a champion of this show, I gotta hit my button. I believe in you, I think you’re incredible, sis.”

Adam may have pushed it over the top, though. “It is my dream for you to win the voice. It’s just time for somebody to be a different type of winner for this show. John mentioned Fiona Apple, we’re missing a Fiona Apple right now. There’s a certain kind of intensity and a certain kind of raw power that singing can have, you embody all of that,” he said. “You are the future, as far as I’m concerned.”

Maybe it was that overwhelming vote of confidence, but Celia picked Team Adam.

Conway, South Carolina’s Cecily Hannigan gave an utterly ethereal and effortless performance of Jewel’s “Foolish Games,” so it was a bit of a shocker when Blake was the only coach to point that red button, but it was also no skin off of the triumphant coach’s teeth. “Cecily, I think we’re all kind of losing our minds right now. I think you’re awesome and I have nothing to say for myself. I’m ashamed,” Adam admitted. Claiming his victory, Blake challenged the young singer, saying, “I don’t know that you know what you’re capable of vocally because you kept taking it to the next level and we’ve got to find the songs that you can blow the roof off because I know you can do it.”

Kalvin Jarvis of Tucson, Arizona was hoping to trade in his day gig as a restaurant manager for a career in music when he hit The Voice stage. Singing John Legend’s own song, “A Good Night,” John immediately lit up when he heard the opening notes. However, both Adam and Kelly turned their chairs for the 28-year-old talent, but John did not. “I think you did a fantastic job. I’m probably too picky on my own songs…” he said, but he also added, “I really thought you were really great.” Both Kelly and Adam confirmed that John did enjoy the performance, pointing out that he was dancing from his seat.

It was a big night for Adam, though, who had one spot remaining after Kalvin picked him just thirty minutes into the show.

It seems there has been a lot of first during this season of The Voice and that includes having the youngest potential contestant audition for the show. At 13, Ava August took that honor and took the stage with the classic “The House of the Rising Sun.” However, no chairs turned for the talented teen. The coaches encouraged her to return and audition again, but not before Kelly kicked herself sufficiently for not grabbing her for her team.

It’s been a big year for 24-year-old David Owens who tied the knot and had a baby boy in the past year. After belting out a compelling version of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” his year got even bigger. Versatile and rangy, with great texture in his voice, Kelly was astonished that her fellow coaches didn’t turn as readily as she did, but she was also relieved. “I think I may have been too nitpicky by not turning around, but you are an excellent singer,” John told him. Kelly commended David for taking a traditionally female slot and being vulnerable enough to sing through the emotion of the lyric. It may have been by default, but David was thrilled to be part of Team Kelly.

Kelly seemed to be on a bit of a roll and also seemed to be unchallenged as she worked on finishing out her team with 16-year-old Presley Tennant who sang Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold.” “They are insane,” Kelly said as she looked at her fellow coaches who didn’t turn their chairs. She then went on to say, “What’s awesome about this show is we all are looking for different things and we all are impressed by different things. And that is really low, especially for a 16-year-old girl. My range is bigger now that I’m…older than 30. But having that low to even pull from is insane.”

And with that, just halfway through the show, each coach needed just one more singer to complete their team.

Blake was the first to finalize his roster and Grand Bay, Alabama’s Rod Stokes was a solid pick. The 34-year-old gospel, country, and soul singer actually got a three-chair turn—Adam, Blake, and John—for his gritty and raw cover of the Bee Gees “To Love Somebody.” John, who admitted he was holding out for something special, chimed in to speak first. “Rod, you sounded incredible. I love the gravel in your voice, but I love the clarity with which you hit those beautiful high notes, too. You have so much power, so much range, I would be excited to have you on my team.” Adam, who turned first, chastised his fellow coaches for not hitting the red button as quickly as he did, but he also commended the singer, telling him, “I want to be a part of this really bad.” Blake, in typical fashion, joked that there could be a communication breakdown if Rod, who has a thick southern accent, chose Adam. “I’ve got one spot left on my team,” he continued, “I would be honored if you would complete my team for me.”

So, Rod did just that.

But country music isn’t over yet. Atlanta’s Andrew Jannakos may not have had the stereotypical look of a country artist, but he definitely had the pipes for it when he gave a convincing performance of Luke Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy.” Earning chair turns from both Kelly and Adam, Blake apologized for his team being full, but Kelly said, “I love it because it means we have a chance.” Both Adam and Kelly gave hard arguments for Andrew choosing their respective teams, but when push came to shove, the hip, young singer went with Adam, rounding out his team.

There may have been only two teams left when 16-year-old Kayslin Victoria hit the stage, but as she belted out Portugal, The Man’s “Feel It Still,” she got both Kelly and John’s chairs to turn…simultaneously! With both of the coaches literally begging Kayslin to pick them, the Florida native had a tough choice, but in the end, it was Team John who gained this talented young lady’s limitless talent.

Unfortunately, this put Kelly in the delicate position of being the only coach left. But instead of succumbing to the pressure to finish her team, she held tight to her standards and goals for finishing out her roster, which meant she was gunning for a male country artist.

Props to Ms. Clarkson for sticking to her guns. Jackson Marlow of Rogersville, Alabama was just what she was waiting for. Does that last name sound familiar? It should to longtime fans of The Voice. Jackson’s uncle is Red Marlow who was on Blake’s team during season 13. A familial connection wouldn’t be enough alone to earn any singer a coveted spot on this highly successful show. Fortunately, great vocals must be part of the Marlow DNA and his performance of George Strait’s “Troubadour” landed Jackson that final spot on Team Kelly. “I was waiting for my George Strait, y’all, I was waiting,” Kelly screamed with delight.

And that’s it! Each team has their 12 contestants who will now move on to those exciting battle rounds where singers will go head-to-head in one of the most exciting stages of The Voice competition.