His audition: Menlik Zergabachew, 19, of Silver Spring, Md., performed Sublime’s “Santeria” as his audition song. He had the coaches bobbing their heads immediately, but was well into the performance before Blake Shelton turned his chair. And it looked like he would be the only coach to do so until Gwen Stefani joined him at…
Her audition: Maiya Sykes, 36, of Los Angeles, auditioned with Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me.” And within about one line of the song, she had all four judges facing in her direction. Gwen Stefani calls her voice “ridiculous.” Blake Shelton says Maiya’s performance “made my day.” Pharrell applauded her “conviction” and promised to help amplify…
His audition: Taylor John Williams, 23, of Portland, Oregon, auditioned with a stripped-down version of “Heartless.” One line in, Adam Levine had already turned his chair. Midway through the performance, he was joined by Gwen Stefani. Gwen complimented him on making the song his own. “You can tell you’re an artist, that you’re a writer,…
Her audition: Taylor Brashears, 21, of Nashville, Tenn., decided to audition with the Loretta Lynn classic “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).” Taylor displays lots of sass in the performance and gets Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams to turn their chairs. But country coach Blake Shelton waits until near the end of the…
His audition: Joe Kirk, 17, of Nashville, performed “Lego House” for his blind audition and had two coaches — Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani — turn around very early in his performance. They were soon joined by Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams, giving Joe one of those coveted four-chair turns. Adam praised Joe’s youthful confidence,…
Her audition: Allison Bray, 18, of Louisville, Ky., auditioned with Kacey Musgraves’ “Merry Go Round” and started her performance strong — so strong that she had Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton facing in her direction before she finished the first verse. Adam Levine soon joins them. Blake calls Allison’s voice “a breath of fresh air”…
His audition: Damien, 35, of Monroe, La., auditioned with Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” and displayed one of the best pure voices we heard during week one of Season 7. That voice prompted Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Adam Levine to spin their chairs in rapid succession. Later, they…
Her audition: Clara Hong, 22, of Atlanta, Ga., auditioned with “Chuck E’s in Love.” Within a couple of notes, Adam Levine spins his chair. And he’s quickly followed by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams as Clara continues to deliver a solid performance. Pharrell calls her tone “silk;” Gwen calls her voice alluring. But Adam writes…
His audition: Elyjuh Rene, 18, of Long Beach, Calif., opted to audition with Beyonce’s “XO” and a strong opening earned him early chair turns from Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams. Pharrell called the youngster “one of the most amazing vocalists I’ve heard.” Elyjuh joined Team Pharrell. His background: Elyjuh tells us he loves singing R&B…
Her audition: Sugar Joans, 24, of Los Angeles, auditioned with “Chain of Fools,” displaying a nice rasp in her voice. Still, she was nearly finished her performance before a big ending prompted Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani to turn their chairs. Gwen called Sugar’s “soul singer” flavor very impressive. And Sugar opted to join Team…
