The Voice still rules
Even if American Idol (AI) ended its run last May after 15 seasons, the search for the next singing star doesn’t seem to wane. Hence, it is not surprising that The Voice US remains a much-awaited reality-singing search, with two successful seasons aired every year.
With its recent third Emmy win as Best Reality Competition Program, The Voice US Season 11 recently premiered, this time on Star World, where American Idol used to air. The Voice 11 airs on a new daytime schedule at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with primetime encores at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera are out as coaches. This season, new coaches Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys are seated on the red swivel chairs, with long-time coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
For the first time, there are two female coaches on the panel, so feminine power is strongly evident. Miley appeared as lead advisor in the Knockout rehearsals last season. Multi-Grammy winner Alicia joined Pharrell in the Battle rehearsals in Season 7.
Miley undoubtedly stole the limelight with her attire on the first night of the Blind Auditions. Although casual in an all-denim get-up, faux pink roses heavily adorned her pants, inner blouse, jacket and even her hair, so you will immediately notice her presence.
Miley also dominates the swivel chair row, especially when she enlists an artist. Her child-like enthusiasm becomes evident as she fights for one artist to join her team. She jumps up and down, turns around, screams and dances. Music celebrities will join the judges in the
Battle Rounds. Bette Midler will team up with Team Blake, rock legend Sammy Hagar with Team Adam, rock superstar Joan Jett with Team Miley and singer Charlie Puth with Team Alicia.
In the first, two-part episode, there were already promising talents who impressed the coaches and the audience. There were four-chair turners early on in the Blind Auditions, with the coaches all wanting to get the talented artists to join their respective teams.
Artists as young as 15-year-old like Gabe Broussard from Lafayette, Louisiana and as veteran as 56-year-old Dan Shafer from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, tried it out and passed the Blind Auditions.
The first four-chair turner was 33-year-old Dave Moisan from Louisville, Kentucky. He rendered Maroon 5’s revival of Marcy Playground’s alternative rock hit, Sex and Candy, and ultimately chose Team Alicia.
Another four-chair turner was 28-year-old Ali Caldwell from Brooklyn, New York, who belted out Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman, which made Miley win over her.
Next was 17-year-old We McDonald from Paterson, New Jersey. He sang Feeling Good from the 1965 Broadway musical, Roar of the Greasepaint. He chose to join Team Alicia.
Former Grammy nominee Bill Gillman, who is a young country artist from Richmond, Rhode Island, had the four coaches wanting to enlist him to their teams. Bill, however, ended up with Team Adam.
Meanwhile, an early treat was when Adam beautifully crooned The Way You Look Tonight with 16-year-old Riley Elmore from West Dundee, Illinois. Riley became a strong toss-up for Team Adam and Team Blake, but Riley went with the former.
Carson Daly remains the host. Season 10 winner was former child actress Alisan Porter, who recorded her original song, Down That Road.