‘The Voice’ Season 13 Premiere Recap: Shi’Ann Jones, Brooke Simpson Lead The Blind Auditions

Adam Levine and Blake Shelton returned for the 13th season of The Voice alongside judges Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson.

THE VOICE RECAP

Both Cyrus and Hudson have both judges before, Hudson on The Voice UK. Cyrus has toned down her crazy dressing style, which goes hand in hand with her new musical style, and wants to win this season, but Hudson is showing some strong competition in her advice to the contestants. Levine and Shelton promise to play nice for a time, but the claws will come out soon enough.

This episode was the first round of blind auditions. Chris Weaver, 29 from Long Island, belted out “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding and blew away the judges. He had great stage presence as well, with his history of being a worship leader as well as a drag queen performer. He joined Team Jennifer.

Mitchell Lee, 29 of Charleston, South Carolina, sang “Hold My Hand” by Hootie & the Blowfish. He only gets three chair turns but it’s really between Blake and Adam who will get him. In the end, Lee goes joins Team Blake after Levine can’t name Darius Rucker, who happens to be from Lee’s hometown.

Next to be chosen is Janice Freeman, 32 of Compton, California, who goes with “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons. Freeman has lived through cervical cancer, the death of her daughter’s father, and has now been married for two years. She brings the house down and ends up joining Team Miley.

Shi’Ann Jones, 15 of Bowling Green, Kentucky, amazed the judges wit her rendition of “Drown in My Own Tears” by Ray Charles. Hudson hit her buzzer faster than anyone, and even began singing along with Jones before she hit her first word of the song. Hudson tells the rest not to even bother turning around but Shelton tries his luck, but of course Jones goes with Team Jennifer.

Dave Crosby, 30 from Seattle, took the stage with “I’ll Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie. This guy has apparently gone viral on YouTube for posting a video of his daughter singing the Toy Story theme song, but now it’s his turn in the limelight. Shelton, Cyrus, and Levine all spin around for him, but Crosby chooses Team Adam, who was familiar with his daughter’s fame.

Esera Tuaolo, 48 of Minneapolis, sings “Rise Up” by Andra Day. This former NFL player is enjoying his retirement – he’s come out as gay to his children and is reviving his dream and passion for singing. He has killer control of his voice, and joins Team Blake.

Brandon Showell, 26 from Virginia Beach, is up next and sings “There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes. Showell is slightly reminiscent of last year’s winner Chris Blue. He starts off shaky but ends with strength, and joins Team Adam.

Lucas Holliday comes out with “This Woman’s Work” by Maxwell. The 26-year-old from Lansing, Michigan, only got on chair turn and it was from Hudson, so he joins her team by default. His audition was all over the place, but Hudson sees something special in him.

Last to get chosen was Brooke Simpson, 26 from Hollister, North Carolina, who sings “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato. Levine thinks she could win it all this year. Simpson’s only experience singing in public is through her Native American family’s traveling ministry. She’s a natural though, and Hudson even says, “I thought I knew music until you just came out here and did that.” Though all the judges wanted her, Simpson went with Team Miley.

At the end of the show, all the judges have two singers on their team, except Hudson with three. Stay tuned tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC for the next episode.