"The Voice" returned on NBC on Monday, September 25 for its 13th season with lots of excitement. Miley Cyrus returned after taking a season off. Newcomer, Jennifer Hudson, joined the original judges, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Hudson was the winning judge on "The Voice UK." Therefore, she is not new to the reality show as was evident in the premiere episode.
The judges have their own style of trying to get contestants to choose them to be their coach. Miley said she is going to win this season. Adam, Blake, and Jennifer said she wouldn't win if they can help it.
During the first blind auditions, all the judges were able to get contestants for their team.
Blind auditions
Jennifer was the one to get the first contestant on her team during the blind auditions even though all four chairs were turned for him. Chris Weaver shared that he had sung for Jennifer at a party when she performed in "The Color Purple." At that time, he sang so well she threw a shoe at him which is a sign of respect. All the judges tried to get Weaver on their team, but Jennifer is the one he chose after she threw a shoe at him for a second time. Weaver is a 29-year-old Long Island, New York worship leader by day and a drag queen by night. He sang "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding.
The next contestant Jennifer was able to get for her team was 15-year-old Shi’Ann Jones from Bowling Green, Kentucky. She began to sing “Drown In My Own Tears” by Ray Charles when Jennifer quickly turned on the very first note. The Grammy and Academy Awards winner called the girl her "mini-me." Jennifer's third team member was easy to get because Jennifer was the only one to turn a chair for 26-year-old Lucas Holliday from Lansing, Michigan who sang "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell.
All the judges added singers to their teams. By the end of the night, Jennifer had added a total of three contestants while the other judges were able to get two singers each.
Singers not chosen
Unfortunately, 17-year-old Xaris from Gulf Breeze, Florida didn't get anyone to turn a chair for singing “Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright)” by Bob Dylan.
After 10 seasons, 20-year-old Odiseas from Brooklyn, New York returned and sang “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown, but his singing did not impress any of the judges to turn their chairs.
"The Voice" returns on Tuesday, September 26 at 8 PM with more blind auditions. Tune in to see who the judges will listen to and select for their team.