John Legend Predicts This Four-Chair Turn Could Win 'The Voice'
We're only in Week 2 and the talent on Season 24 of The Voice is off the charts.
On last night's Blind Auditions, Kaylee Shimizu, a 17-year-old karaoke queen from Ewabeach, Hawaii, earned a four-chair turn from coaches John Legend, Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire with her rendition of the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers."
As soon as she finished her last note, John Legend said, "We're just stunned right now."
Niall followed up with, "I can't believe what just happened."
And then the wooing began!
"Your voice was just dazzling," John said. "It was so creative. It was so musical. Did you grow up singing?"
The singer from a large Filipino family said she grew up singing karaoke. "I've been singing for my whole life," she said.
In fact, one of Kaylee’s Instagram videos went viral of her singing a Mariah Carey song.
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"Can you imagine going to a karaoke bar and then hearing this performance?" John asked.
"It doesn't sound like that when I go. I'll tell you that," Niall added.
Greg Gayne/NBC
The recent high school grad who wants to pursue music full-time said she loves soulful R&B songs.
"Sounds like a perfect fit for Team Legend," John said before adding, "You know you could win The Voice, right? And doing it on Team Legend would be just a dream come true for me."
Related: Watch the Four-Chair Turn That Stuns The Voice Judges
Then it was Gwen's turn to compliment on the young singer.
"I absolutely am blown away by you," she said. "Your vibrato, it's so slow and like a wave. It's like woo, woo, woo. And it feels like you have so much control over that. I've never heard anything like that before. And I think it's because you are so young and free, to be able to have the stage now to do it on was probably even fueling your fire more. I could feel it. You're like 'I finally get to show everybody what God gave me. I have this thing.' Yes, yeah. Right? I think I could be a really great coach to you. I love coaching. Please, please pick me."
Niall then joined with his plea.
"I cannot believe what I just witnessed," he said. "That was just unbelievable. When we talk about technically gifted. I've never met anyone so gifted. The song choice was perfect by the way. 'Cause sometimes those kinds of songs can be kind of linear and you just did the complete opposite with it, made it your own, and just, like, ripped it apart, put all the different parts of your voice in there. I would—like everyone else—would absolutely love to work with you."
Although she had little chance competing against John and Niall, Reba put up her best argument, highlighting her family connection and Broadway experience.
"When I was 17, I had not the imagination to be even thinking about singing like you. I'd never heard anybody do what you did on the stage today. It was spiritual to me. I also sang with my brother and sister. We'd hollar at Mama and she'd be in there cooking dinner, and she'd say, 'That's perfect. Now do it again. And she'd go back to cooking."
Kaylee agreed that her mom had done the same thing.
"I've got years of experience touring and being in an ensemble group on Broadway, so I would love to get to work with you. Love to have you on Team Reba."
So, who did Kaylee pick? She went with Team Legend.
John was thrilled and further touted her incredible range: "It's like she's a young Ariana Grande."
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC .
Next, The Voice Reveals Coaches for Season 25 – And There’s an Exciting Twist!
