The Voice Season 12 Feb. 27 Blind Auditions Night 1 Recap: Alicia Keys Meets Felicia Keys

After two seasons away, Gwen Stefani returned as a coach alongside Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Alicia Keys. This might be our most energetic season yet. The jokes keep coming from Adam, who’s having way too much fun with the new dynamic between Blake and Gwen. Highlights of The Voice premiere: Anatalia’s family, Blake-versus-Alicia, “Felicia Keys,” and of course, the crickets. Season 12’s off to a fantastic start.

Here’s a rundown of the blind auditions:

Joshua Hunter / JChosen – 29 years old – Albany, Georgia

Song: “Sexual Healing,” Marvin Gaye

Team: Gwen

Ooh, baby! JChosen, a teacher who works with special needs kids, delivered a fantastic tribute to Marvin Gaye. Adam turned his chair right away, quickly followed by Alicia – then Blake – then Gwen. This Georgia crooner had Adam dancing and Alicia blushing with his smooth vocals, turning what could have easily been an overly-sexual performance into an earnest number.

After some (“passionate”) bickering, the judges turned the decision over to JChosen. His choice? Gwen – and no one was more surprised or excited than her. “I wanted to work with someone that I knew would give me that diversity, different tones, and different melodies,” JChosen explained.

Lauren Duski – 25 years old – Gaylord, Michigan

Song: “You Were Meant for Me,” Jewel

Team: Blake

The daughter of two quirky dentists, country singer Lauren Duski turned three chairs with a beautiful, slowed-down rendition of the Jewel song. Adam was wowed by her subtlety and soulfulness. Gwen complimented her ability to sing using both her head voice and chest voice. Blake immediately brought up their country connection – but was quickly interrupted by Adam’s two cents. Gwen weighed in as well, offering herself up as the middle ground between Blake and Adam.

But in the end, the country connection won out and Lauren joined Team Blake. While she leaned towards Gwen in the beginning, the choice made itself clear. “My heart and soul is in country music,” Lauren explained. “He’s [Blake’s] the king.”

Johnny Hayes – 29 years old – Mobile, Alabama

Song: “Try a Little Tenderness,” Otis Redding

Team: Adam

Next up was Johnny Hayes, who had previously auditioned in Season 11 but couldn’t get passed the blinds. This time, he chose a song he could pour his heart and soul into – the song that led to him falling in love with his wife. His energetic take on the Otis Redding classic immediately won over Adam and Gwen. Despite Gwen and Blake teaming up to convince him otherwise, Johnny picked Team Adam. “Everyone loves a comeback kid like that,” Adam said.

Skyler Harris – 25 years old – Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Song: “One and Only,” Adele

Disappointingly, Skyler didn’t turn any chairs. Her story is a memorable and inspiring one: a former abuse victim who currently works as a police officer on a crisis intervention team. She answers at least 20 calls a day, giving advice and assistance to abuse victims. “Music saved my life,” Skyler explained. Music gave her the chance to be her one and only. During her performance, the judges hesitated before ultimately choosing not to turn their chairs. But they all unanimously agreed that Skyler should come back for a future season.

Anatalia Villaranda – 16 years old – Temecula, California

Song: “Runaway Baby,” Bruno Mars

Team: Alicia

This 4’9” burst of California sunshine turned four chairs at the last minute with her big voice and explosive energy. Anatalia also came with a huge supportive family in tow, exhibiting the best of Filipino exuberance in a heartwarming scene that melted the judges. Alicia called her “an artist unafraid to express herself.” Gwen tried to win her over with a nod to their Californian roots. Blake went with his tried-and-true “I know where you’re from” pitch (patent-pending). Adam… offered cake.

After all was said and done, Anatalia chose Alicia – who screamed and twirled with absolute delight. “She had a ton of personality, a ton of swag,” Alicia said. “Some people have it and she’s definitely one of them.”

Stephanie Rice – 27 years old – Texarkana, Texas

Song: “Piece by Piece,” Kelly Clarkson

Team: Gwen

Stephanie Rice is the lesbian daughter of a small town preacher. At 18 years old, her family gave her a choice: go to counseling for her sexuality or be erased from their history. Stephanie hasn’t seen her family in over eight years. Despite this, she revealed that she’s happily engaged to Jan, the love of her life. Stephanie’s smoky vocals instantly captured the attention of Blake and Gwen, sparking a good-natured lover’s spat between the two beaus.

“I was really moved by you,” Gwen said before Blake could get a word in. Adam and Alicia expressed similar sentiments, obviously weighing in on Gwen’s side and turning it 3 against 1. Blake concedes: although he would really love to work with Stephanie, he can sense she’s already made a decision. And she has. When the time comes, Stephanie is Team Gwen all the way.

Branden Martin – 25 years old – Owingsville, Kentucky

Song: “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”, Travis Tritt

The accent is strong on this one. Unfortunately, Branden from Kentucky didn’t turn any chairs this time around. He seemed like he’d have a good shot with Blake – that southern connection working it’s magic again. Unfortunately, his performance had its rough moments. Occasional pitchiness and sharp moments served as Branden’s downfall, but the judges encouraged him to give it another try next season.

Mark Isaiah – 19 years old – Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

Song: “Mercy,” Shawn Mendes

Team: Adam

A teen idol in the making. Mark struggled with his self-esteem while he was younger but gained confidence after winning a Justin Bieber contest. Adam and Gwen turned their chairs, convinced by his star-power. “I honestly can’t believe you haven’t been signed already,” Gwen exclaimed. It was the first of several hard-hitting arguments trying to sway Mark to her side.

But Adam had a lot to say as well. “It’s so obvious you belong in the current landscape of pop music,” he said. Ultimately, Adam’s argument was more persuasive. Mark – and his star quality – went over to Team Adam.

Brennley Brown – 14 years old – Apple Valley, California

Song: “Stupid Boy,” Keith Urban

Team: Blake

The youngest contestant of the night at only 14 years old, thanks to a rule change lowering the age of admittance to 13 years old. Brennley Brown’s sweet soprano hinted at a surprising strength, leading to a clash between Blake and Alicia. And boy was it a clash. Blake went with his country angle. Alicia hit back: “I understand how hard it is as a young woman artist.” And then she hit again: “Real music transcends boxes. I don’t want you stuck in a box!” But Blake wasn’t done: “I have never been a guest at a country concert. I am the country concert!”

Decision time. Caught between two fantastic coaches, Brennley made her choice – Team Blake. But it was a surprisingly hard-fought victory for Blake. Alicia made him work for it.

Shaun ChrisJohn – 31 years old – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Song: “You Are the Best Thing,” Ray LaMontagne

Another performance that didn’t turn a chair. Shaun ChrisJohn sacrificed his dreams to tend to his sickly grandmother, but his enthusiastic performance lacked a little something. Alicia called his voice “beautiful” and “emotional.” Still, the judges agreed that he needed more polishing.

Felicia Temple – 29 years old – Teaneck, New Jersey

Song: “All I Could Do Was Cry,” Etta James

Team: Alicia

Introducing “Felicia Keys.” After surviving her battle with carcinoid cancer, Felicia Temple decided life was too short not to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Her soulful performance prompted three judges to turn their chairs. Adam was the lone holdout – but not because he was unimpressed. He heard Alicia in Felicia’s voice and knew there was no contest. He wasn’t wrong – Felicia admitted to singing Alicia’s songs during talent shows. Gwen and Blake know it’s a done deal, too. Then comes one of the night’s highlights – a spectacular duet between Alicia Keys and Felicia Keys. “If I Ain’t Go You.” What a way to end the night.

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