‘The Voice’ season 24 episode 3 recap: Reba, Niall, Gwen and John fight it out in ‘The Blind Auditions, Part 3’ [LIVE BLOG]

Tonight on “The Voice,” coaches Niall Horan, John Legend, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani all vie to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon on the third night of blind auditions.

The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice” returns with the strongest vocalists from across the country invited to compete in the show’s newest season, which premiered September 25 on NBC (8pm PT/ET). The show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. 

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SEE Everything to know about ‘The Voice’ Season 24: Premiere date, coaches

Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 24, Episode 3 to find out what happened Monday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite artists on NBC’s long-running reality TV show, which coach you’re rooting for and who you think will ultimately join “The Voice” winners list for this 24th season. Carson Daly hosts the Emmy-winning program.

Keep refreshing/reloading this “The Voice” live blog for the most recent updates.

8:00 p.m. – “Previously on ‘The Voice’!” In episode 2, the coaches continued to build their teams with the second set of blind auditions. Joining Team Reba was Ruby Leigh. Joining Team Niall was Julia Roome. Joining Team Gwen was Juliette Ojeda and Jenna Marquis. Joining Team Legend was Mara Justine and Ephraim Owen. Let’s see what Night 3 has to offer!

8:01 p.m. – The night kicked off with the audition from Stee, son of musician and vocalist parents and who grew up singing with his sister. In his first performance ever without his sister and his band, Stee took on “Sugar” by Maroon 5. Niall was the first coach to indicate he might hit his button for Stee, leaning forward in his chair, but he hesitated and John chimed in first, followed by Gwen, then Niall, and last by Reba. Unfortunately for Niall his hesitation cost him dearly because John had used his one block to stop Stee from choosing Team Niall. Reba told him that his song selection was “wonderful” and he’s “got the whole package.” Gwen liked that his head voice was as strong as his chest voice and said she loves his “character.” Like Niall, John acknowledged that singing an Adam Levine song is impressive. After revealing a touching story about his cousin who passed away and was a huge fan of John, Stee gladly joined Team Legend.

8:13 p.m. – Next up was Chechi Sarai from Michigan with her take on “Lovin’ You.” From the very first whistle tones, John and Gwen had hit their buttons and then Niall and Reba joined in to make it another four chair turn for the season. Niall told Chechi that she “set the bar so high” and predicted that she’s headed straight for the finale. Reba agreed with Niall and added that she’s “having fun” with “insane” vocals. John acknowledged that Chechi is more than just the whistle tones and that she “looks like a star.” Gwen concluded by highlighting her “love and confidence” and how she was “in control of the whole room” with her performance. With the decision in her own hands, Chechi went with the coach that got the last word in and who was her “first pick” — Gwen!

8:26 p.m. – We didn’t get our own first glimpse of Reid Zingale until Niall and Gwen were already hitting their buttons in the first moments of his audition to “July.” John finally jumped in toward the end of the song, but Reba sat this one out. Reba said she didn’t turn around because she couldn’t understand the lyrics and wanted to. Niall wanted Reid to know that his voice is “captivating” and suggested that he’d have a huge fan base loving and voting for him. Gwen pointed out that she was technically first to turn around for him and that he has a unique tone. John admitted to being scared when Gwen and Niall turned because he wanted to hear more, but he heard that his voice is “gentle and powerful at the same time.” Reba thought that Niall would be the best choice for Reid because of their similarities and sure enough that’s the direct that Reid went.

8:36 p.m. – Gillian Smith was pushed in the direction of country music by a high school music teacher because of a “twang” in her voice that they noticed. Her rendition of “Heart Like a Truck” is an audition you could have thought would click with Reba, but it didn’t. Niall told Gillian it’s a “huge” song and that she missed a couple of the notes was why he held back. Reba added that she enjoyed the performance, but the “pitch problems” need to be worked on.

8:46 p.m. – The next artist to perform for the coaches was Nashville resident Claudia B. who has straddled many genres of music throughout her life. It was a quick three chair turn with John, Niall and Reba going all in for Claudia’s “Human Nature.” Niall appreciated that Claudia wanted to “show off that side” of her voice and he could tell that she’s a musician based on the way she worked through the song. Reba liked Claudia’s genuine reaction when she saw the coaches turn around because it showed her vulnerability and encouraged her to keep that with her. John stuck to the fact that both he and Claudia are pianists and that they could “do a lot of great things together.” Claudia was caught between “strategy” and “heart,” ultimately going with her heart in choosing to join Team Legend.

8:59 p.m. – Production company entrepreneur Mac Royals comes from a small town where there aren’t a lot of opportunities in the entertainment industry so coming to the show was a big moment for him. He hoped that “Gravity” would show the coaches his “heart” and “the pain” in his voice. They heard exactly that with all four very quickly reacting to Mac’s voice and hitting their buttons. John said that Mac made them forget about the original version and that he was moved. Gwen thought Mac was “holding back” and not “showing off” which made him a “pure artist” that she wants to work with. Niall called it “amazing” and said he “brought different variations” to his voice. Reba connected with Mac over their small town history and told him she’s a country singer that wants to “broaden out” in other genres. Because he used to watch her show with his grandmother, Mac shocked everyone by becoming the newest member of Team Reba.

9:11 p.m. – The next artist was looking to earn some additional confidence by getting a chair turn to his take on “Something in the Orange.” Noah Spencer earned that multiplied by three with support from Niall, Gwen and Reba. Reba loved “the gravel” in Noah’s voice and “everything about the performance.” Niall called it “ridiculous” and said that his growl is one of his favorite types of voices. Gwen told Noah that there’s no one like him on her team, or in the competition, and because of that he’ll stick out in a good way. Noah called it a tough decision to make, but he went with “the rambling man” Niall.

9:23 p.m. – Referring to himself as “ultimately a country artist,” but with soul as well, Tom Nitti is a genre-straddling artist as well as a Purple Heart recipient vet. To show his versatility, Tom auditioned with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” and earned his spot on the show with a single chair turn from Reba. John said that he could hear the country in his soulful performance and so he was delighted that Reba turned for him.

9:27 p.m. – Reba also turned her chair for Alison Albrecht‘s “Ironic” in an effort to diversify her team with different types of singers. She told Alison that she had “range” and “sincerity” in her voice.

9:32 p.m. – Sacramento native Talakai was hoping to become the newest member of Team Legend because of their striking similarity in look and that is exactly what happened with his version of “Stay with Me.” Reba was looking to see if Gwen or Niall was going to go in for Talakai, but they didn’t so she decided to jump in instead. John recognized the brotherly looks between him and Talakai immediately and said that he has “an ability to be so great” on the show. Niall said he wasn’t emotionally connected to his permanence, which John kind of agreed to. Reba knew she didn’t have “a chance against John,” but she wanted to try anyway. To no one’s surprise, Talakai did join Team Legend.

9:44 p.m. – Next up was Iceberg from upstate New York who recently built a studio in order to help other artists have a platform. She chose to play the keys in her audition to “I Will Follow You into the Dark,” but it wasn’t enough to impress one of the coaches. John enjoyed her tone, but said her enunciation was “insurmountable” and that’s what she needs to work on. Niall could tell she was doing too much thinking, considering she might impress them more if she sings without playing at the same time.

9:54 p.m. – Texan Rudi has worked a variety of positions at the family auto body shop, but everyone is clear that it isn’t the right place for her because she belongs on the stage instead. Niall’s ears perked up as soon as Rudi began “You Don’t Own Me,” watching John to see his reaction. In the meantime, Gwen hit her button while the boys sat back and listened. In the last moments, Niall, John and then Reba hit their buttons, but Niall had snuck in his block of John. Reba was convinced that Rudi “meant that” in her singing because she felt that her heart was touched. Gwen liked that Rudi was “so in control” and enjoyed watching her “work the stage” after turning around. Niall could tell that Rudi is a big fan of Gwen and he would likely lose out, but he was happy he got his block in and thinks she’ll be a star. As expected, Rudi joined Team Gwen and John was simply happy that Niall wasted his block.

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