Watch Mississippi Coast native wow Blake Shelton with blind audition on ‘The Voice’
Two seasons after she first stepped on “The Voice” stage, Mississippi teen Hailey Green returned to the singing competition and gave a performance so soulful, judge Blake Shelton couldn’t help but swivel.
Green, a 15-year-old performer and junior varsity football player from St. Martin, belted out a throaty rendition of Marc Broussard’s “Home” on night two of the season’s blind auditions Tuesday. Shelton did a “victory lap” after he earned the chance to coach the young vocalist when fellow judges Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Ariana Grande didn’t turn their chairs.
“It’s up to us (judges) to go, ‘wow, I hear what’s happening there and I think I can effect change and dial this in,’ “ the country music star said. “I don’t think you’ve got to be dialed in that much. That’s the thing that’s appealing about your voice.”
“I’m excited to work with you,” Shelton added. “You’ve got cool hair — and welcome to Team Blake!”
Green previously auditioned for Season 19 of “The Voice” but didn’t get a chair turn. She refused to give up, however, and returned to show the judges how much she’s grown.
“There’s pressure in coming back, but I thrive under pressure,” the teen said in a pre-taped segment. “I’m a linebacker — the only female. It’s been that way for a while.”
Green said she “likes a challenge” and has been gigging three times a week to prepare for her comeback.
“Looking back, I’m glad that the coaches didn’t turn (their chairs) because it gave me so much time to work on myself as an artist,” she added. “Not everyone gets a second chance at this, and I’m just very grateful that I have.”
Singer Ariana Grande, the show’s newest celebrity judge and coach, praised Green’s unique tone.
“And then when you would open up, I loved how that sounded,” Grande said of the performance. “Like this full, rich belt. I regret not turning, and we’re not gonna hear the end of this.”
“The Voice” airs at 8 p.m. ET on Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.
This story was originally published September 22, 2021 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Watch Mississippi Coast native wow Blake Shelton with blind audition on ‘The Voice’."