The blind auditions came to an end Monday night on The Voice as each coach – Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green – finalized his and her team, landing 12 contestants each.
First, though, came the shock of turning around and seeing Cameron Novack (aka Novacaine), who didn’t make it on to anyone’s team. He sang, (kind of) rapped and even beat-boxed a bit to Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
“I did not expect you to look that way,” Levine said. “How are you not a woman?”
Fortunately, most of the other singers had better luck.
TEAM AGUILERA
Sera Hill, 24, of Atlanta, Ga., wowed Aguilera with her rendition of “I’m Going Down.” “I’ve been waiting for someone to come along and excite me like you did,” said Aguilera, who actually joined Hill on stage to sing one more chorus.
The coach also added folk-rocker Lee Koch, 27, who performed “Like a Rolling Stone,” to the mix of powerhouse vocalists who comprise her team, which also includes gospel singer Anthony Evans; opera singer Chris Mann; smooth R&B crooner Jesse Campbell; young pop hopeful Ashley De La Rosa, 17; R&B singer Jonathas; Lindsay Pavao; Janis Joplin fan Monique Benabou; former kickboxer and family man Geoff McBride; the show’s first emcee, Moses Stone; and quirky country duo Haily Steele and Leland Grant, who call themselves The Line.
TEAM ADAM
Every coach turned around for Whitney Myer, 25, of Reno, Nev., but she ultimately picked Levine, who favorably compared her to Mary J. Blige. Orlando Napier’s bluesy voice and piano-playing landed him a spot on the Maroon 5 singer’s team, as well.
Adam Levine’s remaining 10 singer include former Mouseketeer Tony Lucca; sweet-voiced R&B singer Angel Taylor; belter Chris Cauley of Atlanta, Ga.; guitar-playing Karla Davis; singer-songwriter Katrina Parker; sassy soul singer Kim Yarbrough; science expert Mathal, 18; alt-rocker Nathan Parrett; piano playing Nicolle Galyon; and bowtie wearing Pip.
TEAM BLAKE
Music camp counselor Lex Land, 24, of Austin, Texas, caught Cee Lo Green’s ear initially but she chose to join Team Blake after he turned around when she launched into the chorus of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
And Adley Stump 22 of Tulsa, Oka., has only been singing for 10 months, but she caught both Aguilera and Shelton’s attention with her powerful rendition of “Last Name,” ultimately picking the country singer as her coach.
Rounding out Shelton’s team: indie pop singer Alyx; Brian Fuente; singer-songwriter Charlotte Sometimes; powerhouse singer Erin Willett; country crooner Gwen Sebastian; Alicia Keys‘s background vocalist Jermaine Paul; country singer Jordan Rager; rocker (and cooking enthusiast) Jordis Unga; reggae- rooted Naia Kete, 15; and country sweetheart RaeLynn.
TEAM CEE LO
Heavy rock duo The Shields Brothers caught Cee Lo’s ear with their rousing take on “Dancing with Myself,” while Hawaiian singer Cheesa, 21, opted to join his team, too, after Levine (her initial pick for coach) urged him to push his button. Finally, Cee Lo issued his verdict – “Solid,” he said – and snapped up 18-year-old Wade, who performed Amy Winehouse‘s “Rehab.”
Team Cee Lo is now complete with Air Force member and YouTube star Angie Johnson; former model Erin Martin; recovering drug addict Jamar Rogers; crooner James Massone; classic rocker Jamie Lono; indie rocker Juliet Simms; multi-instrumentalist Justin Hopkins; folk singer Sarah Golden; and Broadway veteran Tony Vincent.
What’s Next?
The coaches will have to chop their teams in half next week as the singers enter the battle rounds and mentoring sessions.
Along the way, they’ll get help from Alanis Morissette and Robin Thicke, who help mentor Team Adam. Jewel and Lionel Ritchie team up with Aguilera. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Ne-Yo mentor Team Cee Lo. And Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert offer a little guidance to Team Blake.
By Jessica Herndon
