“The Voice” is back! NBC’s hit singing competition returned with plenty of four-chair turns during Night 1 of the blind auditions.
Gwen Stefani returned from her one-season absence, to fight hard against fellow coaches Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and Blake Shelton for the newest crop of contenders.
Here’s who made it through:
PHOTOS: Country Superstar Blake Shelton
Contestant: Mark Hood, 24, Chicago, Ill.
Song: “Use Me” (Bill Withers)
Who Turned: Adam, Pharrell, Gwen, Blake – a four chair turn
Best Comment From A Coach: “You high-fived the stage. … I want that on my team. Give me some of that, please!” – Adam
Who He Picked: Pharrell won out not long after Mark said the kind of artist he wants to be is R&B/pop — “John Legend meets Pharrell, almost,” Mark said.
Contestant: Kota Wade, 23, Hollywood
Song: “Bring It On Home To Me” (Sam Cooke)
Who Turned: Blake, Gwen, Pharrell
Best Comment From A Coach: “I could see you in a band with me, you know what I’m saying?” – Gwen
Who She Picked: Gwen, her longtime idol!
PHOTOS: Gwen Stefani: Music & Fashion Icon
Contestant: Keith Semple, 33, Chicago, Ill.
Song: “I’ll Be There For You” (Bon Jovi)
Who Turned: Adam, Gwen
Best Comment From A Coach: “I can’t wait ’til you meet Bono, he’s going to love you.” – Adam to Keith, dropping Bono’s name to try and sway the rocker (who is originally from Northern Ireland) over to his team.
Who He Picked: Adam
Contestant: Siahna Im, 15, Auburn, Wash.
Song: “Fever” (Peggy Lee)
Who Turned: Gwen, Blake, Pharrell
Best Comment From A Coach: “There’s no doubt that you’re talented, there’s no doubt that we all want you on our teams and there’s no doubt that you’re super-special,” Pharrell said, before Blake suggested he wrap it up. So he did – walking on stage and giving Siahna a hug.
Who She Picked: Pharrell. It was clear from the start she was going for him after she said hi to him before he even made a comment. “Hello Mr. Skateboard P,” she said, smiling.
Contestant: Jordan Smith, Harlan, Kentucky (who was billed by Carson as “one of the most unique voices to ever take our stage”)
Song: “Chandelier” (Sia)
Who Turned: Blake, Gwen, Pharrell, Adam – a four chair turn
Best Comment From A Coach: There was a lot of high-praise from the coaches, but it’s actually Jordan who got a standing ovation from the audience (and Pharrell) for what he said. After mentioning he is often called “ma’am” in drive-thrus and on phone calls (Adam said he gets that too), Jordan shared how he’s grown. “Through that, I had to learn that being different is actually what made me special. It’s my gift and so this, for me, is just an amazing opportunity to share that it’s OK to be different, and it’s OK to be yourself because you’re made that way and that’s how God intended for you to be.” A short while later, Adam told Jordan, “I think that, not just the show, but the world needs a person like you. And I think you’re the most important person that’s ever been on this show.”
Who He Picked: Adam
Contestant: Nadjah Nicole, 23, New Castle, DE
Song: “Tightrope” (Janelle Monae)
Who Turned: Adam, and, at the very last minute, Blake!
Best Comment From A Coach: “I realize it’s a freaking hard song to sing and yes, I don’t know who the hell Janelle is. I turned around for Nadjah. I didn’t turn around for Janelle,” Blake said (earlier, Adam complimented her on the song choice, and said Blake hasn’t heard of Janelle Monae). “You look like a star, you sound like a star. That’s what I look for on the show is people who will make a difference and have an impact and I think you can do that. You already have, with me.”
Who She Picked: Blake
WATCH: ‘The Voice’ Season 9: The Coaches’ Bond
Contestant: Braiden Sunshine, 15, Lyme, CT.
Song: “The Mountains Win Again” (Blues Traveler)
Who Turned: Pharrell, Gwen (at the very last second)
Best Comment From A Coach: “You’re a special person. You’re a 15-year-old boy that plays a guitar. You sing in both of your octaves very comfortably. You have an old soul, and there’ll never be another voice like yours.” – Pharrell
Who He Picked: Gwen. (She pleaded for him to join her team and told him he’d make her day if he picked her!)
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