It’s the end of the blind auditions on NBC’s The Voice, and while a slew of Texans sang for the remaining spots, Christina Aguilera joined a contestant onstage for bilingual harmonies and Cee Lo Green tried to convert a few country singers towards soul. And it only took five seasons for one of those red chairs to run into a malfunction -- too bad it happened to Blake Shelton in the middle of a crucial audition.
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Meet the final singers who convinced a coach to bring them along to the battle rounds (and the ones who promise to try again in season six):
Matt Cermanski
Song: “Have a Little Faith in Me”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Levine, Shelton, Green
The returning auditionee was unsuccessful with Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” in season four, but put his recent vocal lessons to use when strumming along to the John Hiatt hit. His creative falsetto notes align him with Adam Levine’s usual singing style, and with the Maroon 5 singer’s aggressive pitch, he joined Team Adam.
Diego Roman Navaira
Song: “Rebel Yell”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
The Texas resident is the son of Emilio Navaira, credited for spearheading the Tejano genre. Though the energetic punk rocker’s Billy Idol cover had all the coaches dancing with their backs turned, he couldn’t score a spot on season five.
Tamara Chauniece
Song: “1+1”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Aguilera, Green
The childhood church singer, who recorded her first gospel album at age eleven, captivated Aguilera after singing the first phrase of the Beyoncé ballad. “I have such a connection with you, Christina, but Cee Lo, you’re a beast and I love everything about your music,” said Chauniece, Green’s new recruit.
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Brandon Chase
Song: “Wanted”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shelton, Green
The 20-year-old Texas singer graduated college at 17 to pursue country music in his prime. His performance of the Hunter Hayes hit had Shelton and Green pushing him toward specific genres (and wardrobes -- Green’s leather or Shelton’s plaid?). The three-peat champ won him over to Team Blake.
Lupe Carroll
Song: “If I Were a Carpenter”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Green
The flower man performs at restaurants and farmers markets throughout the workweek, and the Bobby Darin cover earned him a spot on Green’s team.
Grey
Song: “Catch My Breath”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Levine, Shelton and Green
The Berklee College of Music graduate who sings in a wedding band and works retail at Anthropologie won over the male coaches, including Shelton, whose chair malfunctioned and turned back around after the Kelly Clarkson cover. “I did a 360 for you!” shouted Shelton. But the one-name wonder became the last contestant to join Team Adam.
Dominic Scott Kay
Song: “Easy”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
The child actor and son of the Commodores’ drummer wanted to venture into music on his own, and had his father Scott Kay and actor Neal McDonough at the studio lot for support. But his nasally voice on the classic couldn’t convince the coaches.
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Michael Lynch
Song: “Bailamos”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Aguilera, Shelton, Green
The Chicago native of Irish descent went to music school in Mexico City and eyes a pop career infused with Latin flair. With a theatrical introduction to the Enrique Iglesias hit, he surprised all the coaches by speaking Spanish perfectly. Lynch chose Aguilera, who then sang with him onstage.
Deanna Johnson
Song: “Stars”
Coaches who turned their chairs: none
The country native has a unique voice and prefers pop and R&B, but couldn’t sell her Grace Potter and the Nocturnals cover at just 17 years old. “That’s a contrast that would’ve been cool in my world,” said Green with regret.
Brian Pounds
Song: “Wagon Wheel”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Shelton, Green
The singer ditched his dreams to pursue professional baseball for a career in country music, but Shelton had to fight a persistent Green off his final recruit.
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Shawn Smith
Song: “Chicken Fried”
Coaches who turned their chairs: Green
The army veteran lost a majority of his hearing in his right ear, but has since become a singing bartender nicknamed “Big Sexy.” He won over the crowd with the Zac Brown Band song and scored the last spot on the show, with Green.
With each team packed with twelve contestants, The Voice begins its battle rounds on Tuesday at 8 p.m., with Ryan Tedder, Ed Sheeran, Miguel and Cher as guest mentors.
Twitter: @cashleelee
