‘The Voice’ season 25 episode 1 recap: Dan + Shay claim their red chair in ‘The Blind Auditions Season Premiere’ [LIVE BLOG]

John Benutty and Denton Davidson
·9 min read
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“The Voice” is back for a historic Season 25 as Dan + Shay become the first duo to claim a big red chair. They join returning coaches John Legend, Chance the Rapper and Reba McEntire. Who will reign supreme as they vie to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon? 

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, premiering February 26 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 Huntley on winning Season 24 of ‘The Voice’ with coach Niall Horan: ‘I did not once think that I was going to win’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 25, Episode 1 to find out what happened Monday, February 26 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 25th 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 last season’s finale, rock singer Huntley of Team Niall Horan ended up taking home the “Voice” trophy, giving the coach his second consecutive championship. Ruby Leigh of Team Reba was the runner-up, followed by Mara Justine of Team Niall in third, Jacquie Roar of Team Reba in fourth and Lila Forde of Team Legend in fifth. But enough about last season, it’s time to start the Season 25 blind auditions!

8:01 p.m. – If you’re curious how Dan + Shay are going to fit into the dynamic of the show, we got our first glimpse of their double-chair that shows them sharing a button (and some secret hand signals) in order to make their decisions. In terms of their placement in the coaches row, Chance as moved over next to Reba and so Dan + Shay are in the spot between him and John.

8:04 p.m. – Up first for blind auditions was RV dweller Dani Stacy looking to join a team in the hopes that a coach will help her “discover who [she is] even more as a singer.” Dani took the stage with her guitar on “I Will Survive” and earned a full set of turns from John, Chance, Reba, and then Dan + Shay, but Chance used a block to prevent her from choosing Reba. Despite being blocked, Reba told Dani that she’s “spectacular” and likes that she can hear different genres in her voice. Chance thought she was “so connected” and “poised” in her performance and wants to explore her “different influences.” John called her tone and rasp “so interesting and so cool” and thinks she has soul that he can work with. Dan said that they turned because of her “lower register” and they enjoyed that she kicked in the performance at the end. With all the guys as options to compete with, Dani became the first member of Team Chance.

8:13 p.m. –  Twins Justin & Jeremy Garcia took the stage next hoping most to impress Reba or Dan + Shay with their audition of “Story of My Life.” Chance jumped in with a button-press very early in their performance only to be challenged by Reba and then an eager Shay and hesitant Dan. Shay called it “fantastic” and said that as soon as he heard the harmonizing he thought they should turn around so that it was duo with duo. Chance pointed to his experience working with sisters and appreciated that they were able to overcome and correct some pitch issues. John told them he didn’t turn around because he thought it “could have been a little tighter.” Reba also pointed to her own experience being in a family singing group and she is drawn to their enthusiasm. Not swayed by Reba’s pitch, Justin & Jeremy decided to become the first artists to ever represent Team Dan + Shay.

8:25 p.m. – From the first shot of Tae Lewis in his cowboy hat and boots, it was looking like it would be another head-to-head between Reba and Dan + Shay. Tae’s version of “Somebody Like You” meant a lot to him because it represents how he feels as a Black man trying to build a career in Nashville. Instead of Dan + Shay as competition, Reba had to face off with John for this pick as they were the only coaches to turn their chairs. John opened by saying that he “loved [his] performance,” but Shay jumped in to throw his weight behind Reba right away. Chance helped John out by suggesting that it “could be really cool” to see him “pull the soul” out of Tae’s voice. John added that Tae’s voice is “so electric” and can give him a “clear lane” on his team compared to Reba’s which will fill up with other country artists. Reba countered by offering expertise in vocal and staging for country music and then brought out her megaphone to silence John from suggesting he could help Tae get on “The Today Show.” With the studio audience chanting her name, Tae made the decision to join Team Reba.

8:39 p.m. – Rock band frontman Ryan Argast sees the opportunity of being on the show as “absolutely massive” for his career and hopes that performing the Dan + Shay song “Speechless” will show the coaches that he can make a song his own. Just as it seemed like none of the coaches were going to turn their chairs, Dan + Shay hit their button and earned them to their team unopposed. John mentioned that he likes the “texture” in Ryan’s voice and Reba said that he’ll “have such a good time” on their team. Shay knew that the song choice was risky, but thinks “it paid off” and Dan thought it was “really, really great.”

8:50 p.m. – Ash Haynes came to the show after performing as a background singer for an artist at “Eurovision” and then stayed there to form a girl group. Unfortunately she was not able to get any of the coaches to turn with her version of “The Best.” John told her that he wanted to hear the big notes “more accurately” and with “more precision.” Dan and Chance also thought it was pitchy and Reba advised her to work on her “deep breaths.”

8:58 p.m. – John was still looking for his first artist when he and Chance hit their buttons for Nadège on the sultry “Get You.” John liked her “stylish musical choices” and appreciates that she seems to know who she is as an artist. She told him that she was influenced by him as well as her parents and then John stepped up to the stage to duet with her on “Ordinary People.” Dan said they didn’t turn when they saw John turned because they believe they’re perfect together. Chance knew that his only chance was to perform with her as well so they also sang “Ordinary People.” He told her that he wants to learn more about her influences and then help her “translate the meaning and emotion” behind the songs that she chooses. Nadège didn’t make John’s dream of finding an artist come true because she joined Team Chance instead.

9:09 p.m. – Returning to the country genre, Josh Sanders was up next with his step back into the music scene after finding it hard to sing following the death of his baby son. He was able to earn a chair turn from Reba and Dan + Shay with his rendition of “Whiskey On You.” Reba noticed Josh’s “power” while Shay acknowledged how tough of a song it is and their willingness to go against Reba for him. Knowing that his wife wouldn’t like it if he “turned down the Queen of Country,” Josh went with Reba for his decision.

9:21 p.m. – The final artist of the night was the trio of best friends OK3 who met through a shared vocal coach and have sang together through their childhood. Their performance of “Made You Look” inspired all four coaches to hit their buttons and set in motion a chaotic competition to pull them over to their teams. John called their performance a “mini concert” and mentioned his history arranging songs for groups and thinks there’s a vacancy in the industry for a pop girl group. Shay said his “heart is racing” and called it his favorite performance. Sensing that he needs a partner as well, John hit his secret button to inflate a tube man behind him that says “Pick Team Legend.” Chance called back to his own work with a trio a couple seasons ago and wants to help them “expand their power” in different genres. Reba referenced her history in groups and, of course, the fact that she is also from Oklahoma. She also pulled out one of her Grammys and offered them chicken tenders. Before OK3 could make their decision, Dan +Shay stepped forward to get audience participation to cheer “Dan and Shay.” With so much going on, OK3 pulled their vocal to center stage and prepared to make their decision… that we will find out on the next episode.

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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