Blake Shelton boldly shows favoritism for veteran backup singer on ‘The Voice’

The Voice went live for the first time this season with Monday’s top 20 playoffs. And after 19 strong performances that garnered pretty much all positive comments from the judges, veteran backup singer Wendy Moten closed the night out with a rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” And that’s when Blake Shelton made a bold statement.

“I'll probably catch a lot of heat for it, but I don't care,” Shelton said. “I've been doing this show for 21 seasons now as a coach. there is nobody I want this more for, ever, than you.”

The 56-year-old Moten has worked with artists like Carrie Underwood and Eric Clapton, and also had a solo hit with 1992’s “Come Out In the Rain.” But Shelton believes that now is truly her time.

“You deserve this,” Shelton said while applauding. You deserve this.”

Viewers at home seemed to agree with Shelton, as many took to Twitter with comments calling for her to win it all, and even for her to get her own recording contract.

And while all the high praise is a good sign, the top 20 will be trimmed to 13 on Tuesday’s show, and with enough votes she’ll be hoping to end the week on a high note.

Video Transcript

WENDY MOTEN: (SINGING) And will always love you.

- The Voice went live for the first time Monday with its top 20 playoffs. And after 19 strong performances that garnered pretty much all positive comments from the judges. Veteran backup singer, Wendy Moten, closed the night out with a rendition of I Will Always Love You. And that's when Blake Shelton made a bold statement.

BLAKE SHELTON: I'm going to catch a lot of heat for it. I don't care. I don't care. I've been doing this show for 21 seasons now as a coach. And there is nobody that I want this more for ever than you.

- The 56-year-old Moten has worked with artists like Carrie Underwood, and Eric Clapton, and also had a solo hit with 1992's Come Out in the Rain. But Shelton believes that now is her time.

BLAKE SHELTON: You-- you deserve this. You deserves this.

- Viewers on Twitter seem to agree with Blake with comments like, Wendy, you are just awesome. Love you. Best of the night again. And someone give Wendy Moten a recording contract. And while all the high praise is a good sign. The top 20 will be trimmed to 13 on Tuesday's show. And with enough votes, she'll be hoping to end the week on a high note.

WENDY MOTEN: (SINGING) I will, will always love, love you.