Additional Coverage:
On Monday night, The Voice’s Blind Auditions heated up as coaches Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah, and Riley Green competed fiercely to secure the best talent for their teams before the next phase of the competition begins.
A standout moment came when 15-year-old Allie Ray from Santa Fe, Texas, captivated three coaches with her soulful take on Alannah Myles’ classic “Black Velvet.” Riley was the first to hit his button, followed closely by Kelly and Queen Latifah, all eager to bring Allie onto their teams.
Kelly praised Allie’s vocal style, noting a blend of influences that reminded her of Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss. She complimented the song choice for showcasing Allie’s range and power. Although Adam Levine didn’t turn, he acknowledged the uniqueness of her song selection and welcomed her warmly.
Queen Latifah commended the natural quality of Allie’s voice, appreciating how she navigated the song without overreaching. Riley resonated deeply with Allie’s performance, drawing parallels to Chris Stapleton’s transformative approach to music and expressing confidence in her ability to make songs her own.
Kelly made a strong case for herself as a coach, highlighting shared musical influences and her track record of guiding young female country artists to victory. The conversation hinted at a potential decision, but before Adam could ask, Riley playfully reminded everyone he was first to turn and swiftly secured Allie for his team.
In her introductory video, Allie shared glimpses of her life in small-town Santa Fe, where she helps manage her family’s three RV parks. Her mother expressed pride and belief in Allie’s dreams, while Allie herself spoke about the excitement and challenge of performing on such a big stage.
“I want to do this as a career,” Allie said. “It would be incredible working with any of these coaches.” Her hopes were realized when she officially joined Team Riley.
The Voice continues to air Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.