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The Voice — Last Week of Blind Auditions

The Voice

It’s the last week of the blind auditions on NBC’s The Voice and let’s see where our teams are at:

Team Kelly, our newest judge only needs three more singers to round out her team. Team Alicia and Team Blake also need three more singers, while Adam still needs six.

Does Kelly use her final block? Of course, she does because it’s the last time she can use it. I love the opening scenes where Kelly is let out of the group. She’s so dang cute on this show.

The first audition is Stephanie Skipper, 33, from Nashville, Tennessee: After touring with her husband Tim, she has decided to launch her solo career. This self-professed shy girl talks about her dad who’s not in her life right now. Stephanie sings Clarkson’s Piece by Piece for her blind audition. I love the look on Kelly’s face when she hears Stephanie begin her own song. Adam turns around. Kelly seems torn and upset that she didn’t turn around. Last second, Blake turns his chair around too. Kelly bawls at the end because of the song choice. Stephanie chooses Team Adam, who now needs five more singers to complete his team.

Up next is Tish Haynes Keys, 37, from St. Louis, Missouri:  Her father was a paster and her mother was a gospel singer and Tish wanted to be just like her mom. At 14, she became pregnant and had her daughter at 15 years old. She calls her daughter a “lesson and a blessing.” She wants to sing at a higher level and finally fulfill her dreams. Tish auditions with “Chain of Fools.” Adam and Kelly push their buttons together. Kelly Clarkson calls her singing “insane.” Tish chooses Team Adam. The total is now four.

The next artist is Branson Ireland, 27, Fairview, Tennessee: Currently employed at the Apple store, he pursues his music on the side. His wife, Jessica, is getting a lot of accolades for supporting Branson. Branson auditions with “Tulsa Time.” Both Adam and Blake turn their chairs and Branson’s son Cash’s intense reaction to his dad’s success is adorable. Adam’s trying to convince Branson to join his team and not Blake’s is hysterical. Branson chooses Team Blake, who is now down to needing two members.

Teana Boston, 16, is from Stockton, California and talks about her motivation to succeed. She auditions with “Unfaithful.” She does sound like she’s singing out of her nose a lot, but she has quite a bit of power to her voice. Kelly starts to push her button, pulls back and then hits it. She’s the only one to turn around so Teana is Team Kelly. Kelly only needs 2 more singers to complete her team.

Pink haired Miya Bass, 28, from Jamaica Queens, New York was following her family in law enforcement but decided to turn it down and pursue her music. She talks about auditioning every day in New York City and how hard it can be. She auditions with “issues.” Adam hits his button seconds into Miya’s performance. Miya becomes Team Adam is down to only needing three more singers to complete his team.

Livia Faith, 17, from Stanton, Kentucky is auditioning with what she calls her “baby guitar,” her ukelele. She talks about her love for her mom, Jana. Livia auditions with “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” She sounds quite young at the beginning of the song and as soon as she hits the power notes, both Blake and Kelly turn around. Alicia wants in on the action too and turns her chair around last second. Livia becomes Team Alicia, her first singer of the night. She only needs 2 more singers to complete her team.

The next artist is Jordan Kirkdorffer, 28, Nashville, Tennessee works with spreadsheets all day, but music is his passion and something he wants to pursue. Coming from a farming community, Jordan has been singing since he was a little boy. He really hasn’t done anything like this on such a grand scale. He auditions with “In Case You Didn’t Know.” He has a good country vibe and Adam turns around. Blake follows. Wonder where this one will go with the country singer? LOL Am I right? Adam’s first question to Jordan is “Do I have a chance?” Jordan becomes Team Blake. Raise your hand if you’re surprised. One more to go Blake!

The next contestant is 44-year-old Shana Halligan from Los Angeles, California. Her dad was a Grammy-award winning songwriter. She started her own jazz band a few years back, but was bummed when the band ended. She became a mom 2-1/2 years ago and Shana says his love pushes her. She auditions with “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and she has a very sultry voice, which turns Alicia around. She has a very theatrical performance and I love that about her. You really feel the song. Shana is Team Alicia! She only needs one more singer to complete her team.

Gary Edwards, 26, Dallas, Texas auditioned and turned Blake’s and Adam’s chairs around. Gary becomes Team Adam, who and only needs two more singers to complete his team.

While Kelly decides who she’s going to block, the next contestant is Mercedes Ferreira – Dias, a 16-year-old from Miami, Florida. She talks about her Latin influence in her music and in her family. She calls herself hard-working who helps kids with musical theater. she wants her parents to feel like their struggles were worth something to them. Mercedes auditions with “All I Ask,” and her voice sounds so developed. Kelly hesitates and goes back and forth to pushing her button but doesn’t. What a letdown.  Mercedes should have been on the show.

Sounding like she’s channeling Etta James, the final singer of the night, Hannah Goebel, 20, Nashville, Tennessee talks about how music helped her to focus on her learning disability. Hannah auditions with one of Alicia Keys’ songs “If I Ain’t Got You.” Kelly blocks Alicia! Blake turns around once Hannah commits to the high notes. Four judges turned around, one block used and who does Hannah choose? Hannah is Team Kelly. One more to go! 

One more night of blind auditions on The Voice and the teams will be set to go.

Written by Lisa Iannucci

Lisa Iannucci has been interviewing professional athletes and Olympians, sports writers and film/tv personalities for more than a decade. Her book, A Film & TV Lover's Travel Guide is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Location-Film-Lovers-Travel-Guide/dp/149303085X

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