figures to be a pretty big month for a Season 1 contestant from The Voice. Raquel Castro recently released a new pop single called “Young and Dumb.” She’ll drop the accompanying video on Tuesday. Perhaps more importantly in terms of exposure, she’s landed a recurring role on TV’s #1 show — “Empire.” Raquel, now 20,…
Cook’s last two albums debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. His latest album, “Digital Vein,” couldn’t match that feat. But considering it was released independently, its chart performance is pretty darn impressive. The album landed at number 35 on the Billboard 200. And at number four on Billboard’s pop albums chart. David…
Fans apparently haven’t forgotten Lauren Alaina. The Season 10 runner-up on American Idol released a self-titled five-track EP on Friday. It’s her first release of anything more than a single in nearly four years. Yet it zipped into the Top 10 on the iTunes’ country albums chart, sitting at number seven 24 hours after its…
His audition: Noah Jackson, 19, of Sunderland, Mass., auditioned with Sia’s “Elastic Heart” and landed a spot on Team Gwen in an audition that was part of a montage package. We did get to hear Gwen compliment him on the dynamics in his vocals. His background: We didn’t get to meet Noah on the show,…
The finals begin Monday night on The Voice. We’re left with 12 singers — seven guys and five gals — to duke it out for Season 9 title. With four country singers and three female singer-songwriters types among the 12, it’s hardly the most diverse field of finalists The Voice has ever featured. But it’s…
Their audition: Andi and Alex (both 23), from Green Bay, Wisc., auditioned with “Thank You.” Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani turned around almost immediately. Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton followed. Adam called them one of the most perfectly fitting duos of all time on The Voice. Andi and Alex decided to join Team Adam. Their…
His audition: Viktor Kiraly, 31, of Budapest, Hungary, auditioned with “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. Adam turned around almost immediately. Eventually, all three of the other coaches turned as well. Adam called him “absolutely phenomenal” and said Viktor could win. Blake also predicted Viktor will make it deep into Season 9. Viktor decided to…
Her audition: Korin Bukowski, 20, of Miami, Fla., auditioned with “Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Midway through the song, Gwen Stefani turned around. She wound up being the only coach to do so, meaning Korin is a member of Team Gwen. Gwen called her tone “unique and interesting and weird”…
Her audition: Alex Kandel, 22, of Nashville, Tenn., auditioned with Echosmith’s “Bright.” Gwen Stefani turned around after the first line of Alex’s performance. Adam Levine later joined her. Gwen praised the character in her voice. Alex opted to join Team Gwen. Her background: She grew up in Kentucky, moved to Nashville a few months ago…
Her audition: Krista Hughes, 22, of Coal City, W.Va., auditioned with John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery.” Adam Levine turned around almost immediately. Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams followed before Krista even reached the chorus. Adam called her performance flawless, but Krista opted to join Team Blake. Her background: Krista says she comes from…
