Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Matthew Johnson during his blind audition on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Back in February 2017, Matthew Johnson went to an open call audition for The Voice in Baltimore, Md.

He didn’t make it past the first round.

Monday night, exactly two years later, his blind audition for Season 16 of The Voice aired.

Matthew sang Kirk Franklin’s “Smile,” turned every coaches’ chair, then kept right on smiling as the coaches praised his powerful voice and his upbeat personality.

“It was a surreal moment,” Matthew, 25, of Jacksonville, Fla. said. “As I was singing I noticed that soon into the song all the Coaches were turned.

“I told myself to not focus on them, but to focus on finishing the song and making people feel like they should smile.”

Matthew, who started singing in church when he was 15 and works as a collections agent, eventually decided to join Team John Legend.

“I chose John Legend because ours styles of singing are similar. We both have a soulful sound.

“Also all of his success definitely played a part. I knew he would be able help me get to the next level.”

Matthew said he previously auditioned for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.

On The Voice, a second try proved the charm.

“I auditioned for The Voice because this show really focuses on the talent of singers,” he said.