The Voice welcomed fresh blood to the competition for the start of Season 21 as Ariana Grande joined the coaches panel.
“I’ve been watching ‘The Voice’ for years and I wanted to be a coach. This is my first season and I’d like to think I’m here to win,” said Grande, who wants to become the third new coach in the show’s history to win their first season. (Clarkson won on her first attempt as coach in 2018 with Brynn Cartelli and John Legend won in 2019 with Maelyn Jarmon.)
But, how did she mix in with Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton? The banter was a little different in the opener as auditioning talent took a particular liking to Grande over some of the other coaches.
“The Voice” kicked off with not one, not two, but three voices in the sibling trio “The Girl Named Tom,” the season’s first four-chair turn of the Blind Auditions. Clarkson turned her red chair around first, followed by Legend, Shelton and then Grande. (“That whipping around will take some getting used to,” she said.)
The rookie quickly learned how “cutthroat” the pitching environment is. “I need to fight harder. I’m being too nice,” Grande said after the trio picked Clarkson.
Despite her popularity, Grande faced some challenges of her own connecting with and convincing some hopefuls to join her team. Opening the episode with her fellow coaches, Grande gave viewers a taste of her own talents as she belted out Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” alongside Kelly.
When it was time for her to begin building her team, she struggled with keeping from turning around to see the singers. Ultimately, Ariana decided some competitors were worth turning around for and she pressed her button for the chance to recruit them.
Shelton offered up some not-so-friendly advice to succeed in the competition as the most winningest coach in “The Voice” history: “Lie… talk over people.”
Grande proved to be a fast learner and applied Shelton’s questionable tactics after she, Legend and Clarkson turned for Katie Rae, who opened up about her battle with postpartum depression before a rendition of Maren Morris’ “Bones.”
“I love a strong powerhouse, bad (expletive) vocalist,” Grande said. “I may be new here but … I’ve been through hell and back and I would love to work together.”
Rae ultimately selected Grande. Shelton could not have been prouder.
“See, being mean gets you somewhere,” Shelton told Grande, but he made a note to keep an eye on her: “She is taking over these Blind Auditions…she’s incredibly sneaky.”
“I’m not going to be nice,” Shelton warned. “I’m not going to be friendly. There won’t be any alliances. I’m here to win.”
“We are all in trouble,” Legend said about Grande. “When someone’s a threat, maybe the best way to get rid of that threat is to block them.”
Well, Legend jinxed himself because he was the one blocked by “Block Shelton” following four-chair-turn Wendy Moten’s powerful rendition of The Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out.” Shelton wouldn’t own up to it though: “I don’t think I did.”
The feedback was unanimous. Shelton said Moten turned in a “Top 3 Blind Audition for ‘The Voice’ of all time.” Grande said she hasn’t “heard someone sing like that in my life.” Clarkson added Moten is “what this show is all about. Legend just protested: “Don’t pick Blake whatever you do.”
Moten picked Shelton, leaving Grande “heartbroken.” She added, “Blake’s the real deal.”
Find out who will be helping the artists prepare this fall.
Surprisingly, Blake helped Ariana find her footing a bit in the installment while still remaining competitive. Throughout the night Ariana managed to snag a few hopefuls for her team, gifting them with lunch boxes filled with teas, honey, and lozenges to help soothe their voices.
Overall, it was a successful first night for Ariana, but we want to hear from viewers.
