‘The Voice’ coaches fill their teams on final night of Blind Auditions

If there was ever a night we needed music, joy and laughter, its right now and Monday’s episode of The Voice (Mondays at 8 pET on CTV2) delivered.The show was packed with beautiful and inspiring performances that left coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas and John Legend with eclectic teams that promise some very heated, very talent-heavy Battle Rounds.All four coaches filled their 10-person teams, at times walking away with one-chair steals. Nick scored Ottawa native Anders Dreup, John landed hugely talented pop singer Brittney Allen and Blake scored raspy vocalist Kailey Abel, who he is already betting will be in this season’s finale. But not all contestants were earned so easily. Moves were stolen, rules were broken, and Kelly did her best to convince singers they would look great in her blue and gold jacket.

The first ever #TeamNick is finally FULL! ✨ pic.twitter.com/6jDVoV0aH8

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 17, 2020

CEDRICE

Good things come to those who wait, and no one knows that better than John Legend. Mr. Chrissy Teigen was the final coach with a spot left on his team and took his time before turning his chair for Cedrice. Delivering a sexy, jazz-fueled rendition of “Fever,” Cedrice’s performance was so captivating that Kelly, Nick and Blake decided to break the rules and stand on their chairs in order to watch the singer/goddess they all wanted and couldn’t have. And John didn’t even have to fight for her. Well played, John Legend. That’s how you win a VEGOT.

MANDI CASTILLO

No one in the history of The Voice has been more excited than Mandi Castillo….’s dad. Not only was Mandi’s father in tears, but so was Nick. Nick! Not Kelly! A coach other than Kelly cried! Nick got emotional after Mandi’s stunning Spanish performance and spoke about the importance of diversity in music. Blake loved that Mandi’s song included fiddle, or violin (same thing?), and Kelly played up the Texas connection. John called Mandi’s voice magical and pointed out that he’s performed with both Mariah Carey and Sade, two of Mandi’s biggest inspirations. Never doubt the power of the namedrop. Now Nick is really going to cry.

KEVIN FARRIS

Preschool music teacher Kevin Farris found himself caught between dueling coaches John and Nick, who were both vying for him to be the final contestant on their respective teams. John called Kevin a force to be reckoned with and Nick loved the story that Kevin tells with his voice. John took the kid angle and revealed that he often takes his young children to music class and is always amazed by their teachers. (Can you imagine teaching music to three-year-olds and seeing John Legend walk in? Time to perform some vocal runs on “Itsy Bitsy Spider.”) Like many millennials, Kevin counts “Love Bug” as his jam, so Nick stole a move from John’s playbook and joined Kevin on stage for an impromptu performance. Although Kevin would love to go for a beer with John, he wants to be on Team Nick. That was a win worthy of a hand-in-pocket, Marky Mark walk. Go on with your bad self, Nick Jonas.

MICAH IVERSON

Opening the episode was Micah Iverson, who moved from Japan to America and caught the tail end of the emo movement. What a time to be alive and feel all the feels. Micah earned a three-chair turn from Nick, Blake and Kelly, who said Micah’s style of singing is her favourite for male vocalists, adding “It’s all heart, it’s all passion, you’ve got range for days.” Nick connected with Micah over their love of Switchfoot, transporting viewers back to 2002. Blake admitted that he didn’t know emo, or the word niche for that matter, but he has won the show six times with all types of artists, so that should count for something, right? Not in this case. Micah is officially the only man on Team Kelly, but we’re all winners for watching Blake try to understand the difference between Jimmy Eat World (band) and Boy Meets World (TV show). Very different things, but same fan base maybe. Watch The Voice every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2.