“Wait for great” was the name of the game as the third week of blind auditions on “The Voice” kicked into high gear Monday night (March 10) and Adam Levine, Shakira, Usher and Blake Shelton got closer to filling the last few slots on their teams.
As it came down to the wire, the contestants left their hearts on the blind audition stage, making it that much harder for the four coaches to selective while filling the few remaining spots. Here are a few of the night’s highlights.
Goodbye Yodeling, Hello Rocking Out
When 33-year-old Kat Perkins hit the blind stage, she immediately grabbed the attention of three of the four coaches. Levine praised the former yodeling cowgirl’s voice for “sear[ing] the entire audience,” and Shakira encouraged the contestant to “be the architect of [her] own destiny” and choose to be with her. In the end, the rocker landed herself a spot on Team Adam, as well as a victorious lift by her new coach.
Pop Star Flashback
Flash back to 2006, when newcomer Paula Deanda ruled the radio airwaves with her hit songs “Doing Too Much” and “Walk Away {Remember Me).” She may have been dropped from her label, but has never lost her drive. She hit the blind audition stage with Ariana Grande’s “The Way,” and smooth vocals, killer falsetto and impressive whistle tones resonated with both Shelton and Shakira. Ultimately, the country coach’s premonition of a victory in Deanda’s future won the contestant’s alliance.
Flying Falsetto
If he hadn’t mentioned it before hitting the stage, it’d have been hard to believe that Jake Barker’s blind audition was his first time ever performing in front of anyone. The 28-year-old overcame his crippling stage fright and let his falsetto soar to amazing heights, all while getting three of the four judges to turn around. In the end, Barker landed himself a spot on Team Usher.
Blake Steals Shakira’s Precious Pearl
Ria Eaton’s unique and raspy voice coupled with a confident and passionate blind audition resonated with Shelton and Shakira — even though they both hit their buttons at last possible second. Shakira praised the 19-year-old contestant on her vocals and compared her to a pearl in an oyster that she wished to show off to the world, and although she had the apparent support of Levine, Usher and quite possibly the entire audience, Eaton landed herself on Team Blake.
“Crazy” Vocals
When Alaska native Cierra Mickens hit the stage, her powerhouse vocals immediately grabbed hold of the audience and coaches. Her passionate and energetic performance of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” got three of the four coaches to turn around, and even got Shakira to leave her chair to have a one-on-one with her. Mickens must have been touched, because she allied herself with the female coach.
She’ll Stand By Shakira
Upon hearing the beginning chords to Ddendyl’s unique rendition of “Stand By Me,” it was clear this 25-year-old would be a force to be reckoned with. The Washington D.C. lounge singer gave a passionate performance and allowed her powerful and airy voice to shine through. She earned a spot on Team Shakira.
Goosebumps Galore
The 38-year-old Josh Kaufman made all four judges turn their chairs with a moving performance of George Michael’s “One More Try,” and got Levine to hit his button immediately with the other three coaches following suit. “Damn” and “Goosebumps” was all Levine could get out at first, while Shakira admitted she’d be “devastated” if the singer didn’t pick her. When it was all said and done, Kaufman chose to be on Team Adam.
The end of the night saw all four coaches fill 11 of their 12 slots. Be sure to catch tomorrow night’s blind auditions at 8 p.m. at NBC.
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