After the first two episodes of “The Voice” Season 19 blind auditions, coach Kelly Clarkson had an early lead with five artists on her team: Joseph Soul, Eli Zamora, Marisa Corvo, Madeline Consoer and Ryan Gallagher. Meanwhile, Kelly’s co-judges Blake Shelton, John Legend and Gwen Stefani each had four artists apiece heading into the third episode. By the end of the blinds each coach will have 10 artists on their teams, making a Top 40, so we’re almost halfway there already. Which coach do you think acquired the best artists on Monday night?
Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 19, Episode 3 to find out what happened Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite artists on NBC’s long-running reality TV show, which coach you’re rooting for this season and who you think will ultimately join “The Voice” winners list.
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8:00 p.m. – “Previously on ‘The Voice’!” In the second episode, eight artists advanced to the next round when the coaches pressed their “I Want You” buttons. Kelly turned her chair around for Madeline and Ryan, Blake welcomed Taryn Papa and Aaron Scott, Gwen said hello to Liam St. John and Chloe Hogan, and John won over Sid Kingsley and Cami Clune. Cami was the night’s only four-chair turn artist, making her the second of the blind auditions so far. How will tonight’s episode play out?
8:10 p.m. – The first artist of the night is Rio Soumba, a 28-year old from Detroit. Rio is a production assembly man at Chrysler, but his heart has always been in music. This is his chance to break away from the 9 to 5 and he’s going to be singing “Cruisin'” by Smokey Robinson. John is immediately feeling the song choice and Gwen hits her button within seconds of the first verse. John and Kelly are soon to follow. Rio’s voice is PURE! I like that he’s sticking to the melody and just inserting the tricks intermittently. As Rio hits the chorus John stands up and yells, “Sang!” It’s a standing ovation from three coaches, but Blake is sitting this one out. John gives the most impassioned speech, adamant that Rio should have been a four-chair turn and it’s enough for Rio to join Team Legend.
8:20 p.m. – Next up is a truly blind audition, which is a male artist singing “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer. After Gwen and John turn their chairs, we learn his name is Ryan Berg, a 27-year old from Dallas. After a few more bars of the performance, John realizes he’s been blocked! Ryan has a classic rock tone and sounds like a nice, versatile vocalist. Without anyone else in the fight, Team Gwen acquires Ryan!
8:30 p.m. – The next singer of the night is Becca Kotte, a 33-year old from Fargo, North Dakota. Becca grew up in a musical family and earned a degree in musical theater. After a stint in “Rock of Ages” in Las Vegas, Becca ended up becoming a background singer for Rod Stewart. Tonight she’s singing “American Woman” by The Guess Who. Becca’s voice is pure and powerful, but it doesn’t sound organically rock and roll. Unfortunately, nobody turns their chair. Kelly felt Becca was hesitant and wobbly while Blake thought she missed the pitch at times. After giving her an endorsement to return, the coaches send Becca home.
8:42 p.m. – Next up is Jus Jon, a 30-year old from Newport News, Virginia. His family is deeply rooted of the church and he started singing when he was six years old. Jus Jon’s mother is his biggest fan and isn’t afraid to make him break out in song at the grocery store. In 1998 she was diagnosed with MS and dealing with her illness is a big responsibility. Heading into the Blinds, Jus Jon thinks he would fit in on Team Legend, but would love to learn from an artist like Blake, who is completely outside his genre. Jus Jon is singing “Talk” by Khalid and he’s got a smooth, classic R&B voice. The coaches may be looking for a more unique tone, but Blake turns at the last second and secures Jus Jon on his team.
8:55 p.m. – The next artist hoping to secure his spot on “The Voice” is Ben Allen, a 42-year old from Estero, Florida. When Ben was a senior in high school he became an avid bicyclist and that was his passion for a decade. Not until he was 30 did Ben pick up a guitar and became addicted to the thrill of open mic night. Tonight Ben is singing “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks & Dunn and Blake turns around instantly. Gwen and John soon follow suit. Kelly hesitates, listening intently and ultimately gives Ben the cold shoulder. Ben has a classic country voice and a likable personality. That’s a powerful combination on this show. Ben makes the obvious choice and chooses to join Team Blake.
9:05 p.m. – At the top of the second hour is Kelsie Watts, a 29-year old from Nashville who works on a showboat. She sings, she dances and considers it an exhausting, but rewarding occupation. Tonight she’s rearranging Kelly’s song, “I Dare You,” hoping the risk pays off. Kelsie’s got a strong voice and seems to have no issue transitioning from intimate softer tones to powerful belts, but it’s her whistle register that gets Kelly and Gwen to slam down their buttons. “You just sang the crap out of my song!” exclaimed Kelly. Gwen basically concedes knowing Kelsie will join Team Kelly, and she does.
9:15 p.m. – Next up is James Mays, a 27-year old superfan of Kelly’s from Memphis, Tennessee. James has a lot of personality is not afraid to rock some cheetah print pants. James performs around clubs and churches and Covid-19 has hit his family pretty hard. He has lost both of his grandfathers in the past year and now he’s more determined than ever to live his life with no regrets. Tonight he’s singing “The Show Must Go On” by Queen. James is completely overdoing the song while simultaneously singing completely off key. Nobody turns their chair.
9:30 p.m. – We’re not able to see the next vocalist at first, but it sounds like a seasoned female who is capable of delivering a wordy first verse with punch. When the mystery vocalist opens up on the chorus, John turns around and we learn it’s a young boy, Carter Rubin, singing “Before You Go” by Lewis Capaldi. Gwen is the next to turn around, whispering, “Wow!” when she sees him. The coaches are shocked to learn Carter is a 14-year old from Long Island, New York. His grandfather was in the band Jay and the Americans, the group behind the classic hit “This Magic Moment.” After some deliberation, Carter decides to join Team Gwen.
9:40 p.m. – Next up is Casme’, a 39-year old from New Orleans. She is the oldest of eight children and she grew up with a lot of laughter and a lot of singing. Casme’ has created a mentoring program for young women and now she’s ready to focus on her music. She gets emotional when talking about how many people told her she’s too old to pursue her dream. Tonight Casme’ is singing “Baby I Love You” by Aretha Franklin. Casme’ has a very sensual vocal delivery, I’ve never quite heard this song the way she delivers it. It’s almost as if she’s incorporated jazz into it, but the power is still in full force. John is the only coach to turn his chair and will accept Casme’ on his team, unopposed.
9:50 p.m. – Next to the stage is Michelle Moonshine, a 28-year old from Salt Lake City, Utah. Michelle has always felt like she had an older soul and befriended lunch ladies and her friends’ parents when she was a kid. She started playing live music when she was 18 and a few years later her first attempt at auditioning for “The Voice” was interrupted by a pregnancy. Now she’s happy to have a second chance with her son by her side. Tonight Michelle is singing “Carolina on My Mind” by James Taylor. She has such a pretty tone and I love her understated delivery. Apparently she didn’t show enough versatility for the coaches and nobody turned around. That’s the first no-turn that disappointed me.
9:59 p.m. – The last artist of the night is Desz, a 30-year old from Houston, Texas. Desz was extremely shy as a child, but her mother discovered her voice. When she was just 11, Desz’ mother passed away and Desz performed for the first time at her mother’s funeral. At that time, a fire was ignited and since then Desz has performed with the Houston Symphony and Houston Opera. More recently she was part of the Kanye West‘s Coachella choir. Tonight Desz is singing “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton. She’s got a beautiful voice and Kelly is the first to turn her chair, before Desz hits the chorus. Once this powerhouse opens up John, Gwen and Blake follow suit. It’s a four-chair turn! The coaches fight hard to win Desz over, but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out who she chose! That’s a wrap for tonight.
