The coaches were quick to use their blocks on the first two nights of the Blind Auditions this season on
The Voice (Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2), but Gwen Stefani showed more patience than her peers, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. The No Doubt frontwoman finally put her block into play on Monday’s episode and took an easy W from one of her co-workers.Also on night three of the Blind Auditions, we finally hit
The Voice age cutoff age with the first 14-year-old singer. Not only was it surprising that it took an entire week for the judges to turn their chairs for a tiny teen, but which coaches turned their chair was even more shocking. No more snobs in Season 19.
CARTER RUBIN
After three seasons on
The Voice, self-described snob John Legend did the unthinkable—he turned his chair for a 14-year-old contestant. Both John and Gwen were blown away by Carter Rubin’s performance of Lewis Capaldi’s “Before You Go” and the two coaches took very different approaches to their pitches. John said that he turned early for Carter because his voice sounded polished, piercing, brilliant and strong, commending him for the control he exhibits at such a young age. It doesn’t get much better than that from an EGOT winner. While John focused on the musicality side of the performance, Gwen said she could help Carter develop his style and stage presence, adding that she could be a "mom figure" who would guide him towards picking more age-appropriate songs. Ugh, moooom! Wait, it worked. Yeah moms!
Team Gwen
BEN ALLEN
If you’re participating in a Fantasy Voice League this season, try to snag Ben Allen. The country singer earned a three-chair turn on Monday night with his performance of Brooks & Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” and is already a favourite for the country-loving Voice viewers. The only coach to not turn their chair was Kelly, who said she knew as soon as Blake turned that Ben’s decision was made. John and Gwen still put some effort into their pitch, but yeah. Team Blake FTW.
Team Blake
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KELSIE WATTS
Performing anything on
The Voice is a scary prospect, but to perform a Kelly Clarkson song? We dare you. Dad joke! Kelsie Watts decided to up the ante on her high stakes audition by performing Clarkson’s latest single “I Dare You,” adding a whistle note that if not executed perfectly would mean major embarrassment on national television. Kelsie stuck the landing, leading Kelly to declare that Kelsie’s version was even better than the original. Gwen also turned her chair for Kelsie, but if you audition with a Kelly Clarkson song, you’re probably picking Kelly Clarkson.
Team Kelly
RIO SOUMA
Detroit auto worker Rio Souma took a huge risk by leaving behind his steady job to audition for
The Voice, so viewers everywhere breathed a sigh of relief when the 28-year-old sang his first note. Rio and his cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’” took the Motown classic in a completely new direction, earning fast chair turns from Gwen, John and Kelly. Rio should have been a four-chair turn, but Blake admitted that he didn’t know the song or genre Rio was performing.
Kelly "Queen of covers" Clarkson loved that Rio went in a direction she would have never thought of with “Cruisin’” and Gwen applauded Rio for his vocals and stage presence. But it was John who won Rio over, bringing the singer to tears with his compliments and praise. Along with Rio’s mother, viewers can now exhale.
Team Legend
RYAN BERG
Gwen had the final block of the season and used it to snatch John’s chance to fight for folk rock singer Ryan Berg, who gave a strong performance of John Mayer’s “Waiting On The World To Change.” “I thought she was a much nicer person than this,” joked John. Gwen liked the classic sound of Ryan’s voice and was excited to hear he was a songwriter. John was less excited. Maybe even a touch salty? John may have got blocked in the Blinds, but he quickly announced that he would steal Ryan if the opportunity presented itself. John Legend is here for the long game.
Team Gwen
Watch new episodes of
The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Red fox laughs in excitement while being scratched by human friend [/video_embed]