The Voice begins its 26th season on Monday night with a new coaching team consisting of last year’s winner Reba McEntire, returning coach Gwen Stefani and first-time coaches Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé.
And it doesn’t take long until they get into a four-way battle over 31-year-old Sofronio Vasquez from Mindanao Philippines, who impresses them with his performance of Mary J. Blige‘s “I’m Goin’ Down.”
Reba gets to speak first and she’s a little worried about the language issue.
“I’m from Oklahoma and I don’t know if you’re going to understand me or not,” she says, but that doesn’t stop her from making her pitch.
“I could not hit my button fast enough. Your voice is like butter. It is so easy on the ears, but your soulfulness touched my heart. You’ve got the whole package. I won last year, so I’d like to carry that victory on to this season and I think you could do it.”
Related: Reba McEntire’s Fellow Coaches Dish the Dirt on What It’s Like Working With Her on The Voice
Then Gwen takes a turn. She flatters Sofronio by telling him that was a Grammy-level performance.
“It felt like somebody that knows God gave them a gift and they’re just trying to get on this stage to show everybody,” she says. “One thing I would help you with is how do you find the music that is your identity through these songs on this show that you’re not writing.”
Photo by: Art Streiber/NBC
Michael interrupts her to say, “This dude can sing the phone book.”
Gwen continues, “I want a piece of you. I want to be inspired by you, so I would love to be your coach on Team Gwen.”
Then it’s Michael’s actual turn and he plays his trump card, the fact that he’s been to the Philippines many times.
“I want to start by saying ‘Salamat’ [thank you], because the relationship I’ve had with the Philippines over the years makes me love you even more. Your people are such a beautiful people and I can’t even imagine how proud you are going to make them. There is something that is so inherently beautiful about music for you. I’ve got goosebumps. I’m emotional. I’m trying to swallow because I’m emotional. I want this relationship. It’s going to get past whatever happens in this relationship because I think you’re going to help me win this competition and you’re going to win.”
Related: Watch the Season 26 The Voice Coaches’ First Performance
Then Snoop interjects, “Before you start crying and all that, let’s get back to business. Let me take off my glasses so you can see what I’m saying.”
Then Snoop points to Reba and says, “country,” to Gwen and says “alternative” and to Michael and says “crooning.” And then indicating himself he says, “This here is soul. Your soul, your spirit, your coach, your step-to, what to what not to, how to get bigger, better. The teacher, the coach, the mentor, this is where you need to be. Team Snoop. Quit playing man. In 1994, I was signed to a label called Death Row Records, right? And in 2024, I own the label Death Row Records. I basically scout for talent like yourself. I see it, put it on, make it do what it do. Get in where you fit in.”
Michael wants to get in the last word, so he says, “This show was named after you, The Voice, so ladies and gentlemen help me when I say, [and he sings] ‘Let’s make some noise.” And a train whistle blows and the audience chants, “Bublé.”
Did it do the trick?
Tune in on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC to find out. who Sofronio pick as his coach.
Next, All the Facts on The Voice Season 26, Including the New Coaches
