John Legend wants to prove himself to the fans with his new double album
Emmy, Oscar, Grammy and Tony winner John Legend reveals he’s not resting on “past successes” as he releases new double album Legend. (17th of September)
AP
Nice guys come in last place on The Voice and John Legend isn’t left behind.
On Monday’s season 24 premiere, Legend went head-to-head with fellow coach Niall Horan for Four Chair singer Mara Justine. Horan pulled an enlarged red foam finger that read “Pick Niall” from the ceiling, while Legend invited Justine to perform an impromptu duet of his song “All of Me” on stage.
The episode ended on a cliffhanger when trainer Reba McEntire asked Justine who she wanted to choose as her trainer.
“At first I thought John Legend was a gentleman. How wrong I was,” Horan said as the audition continued Tuesday. “He’s playing dirty right now.”
Legend’s dirty play seemed to do the trick, and Justine decided to join Team Legend.
“I had to bring Mara onto my team,” Legend said, calling Justine “emotive.” “She has amazing tone and incredible power in her voice. Take this, Niall.”
Here’s what else happened in Tuesday’s episode.
Reba McEntire grabs teen country singer with yodeling, audience sign
Teenage country singer Ruby Leigh wowed the coaches with her captivating rendition of Patsy Montana’s “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” earning the 16-year-old a seat on four chairs.
“I’ve literally never heard of anything like what you just did,” Legend said. “When you started yodeling, I thought, ‘How is a human being able to do the things you do?’ Honestly, you can win The Voice.”
McEntire, a country music veteran, was touched by Leigh’s tribute to Montana. “I’m very flattered and very proud of my heritage that you’re singing this song,” she said. “In fact, my mom could yodel, and she taught me how to yodel.”
At coach Gwen Stefani’s request, McEntire gave the coaches and studio audience a taste of her musical heritage by yodeling live on stage.
McEntire took it a step further by asking the audience for their opinion on which coach Leigh should choose. Audience members pulled out signs in the shape of McEntire’s iconic red hairstyle and chanted her name.
McEntire’s yodeling and audience support sealed the deal. In the end, Leigh chose Team Reba.
“Ruby could be a star and have a huge following because she’s not afraid to go against the grain of today,” McEntire said. “Team Reba is off to a great start.”
Howie Mandel raves about Reba McEntire in a surprise appearance
McEntire has fans in every corner – including on the jury of “America’s Got Talent.”
Comedian and “AGT” judge Howie Mandel made a surprise appearance during Tuesday’s auditions, surprising coaches and host Carson Daly with his passionate cheers from the audience.
“It’s so great to have the only Reba on our coaching staff this season,” Daly said, only to be interrupted by Mandel, who yelled, “Reba, woo! Queen of the land.”
“I love Reba,” Mandel said when Daly asked him why he was on the taping of “The Voice.” “We’re right next door, filming the ‘AGT’ finale.”
An overjoyed Mandel then took the stage to have his “I love Reba” t-shirt signed by McEntire. “Would you be quiet?” McEntire told Mandel, to which he replied, “I can’t, I love you.”
John Legend wins the 4-chair singer “Kracher” after singing with the contestant’s daughter
First-class singing is a cornerstone of “The Voice,” but a pull to the heart can also hit the right nerve.
Indianapolis singer Ephraim Owens wowed the coaches, scoring a four-chair turn with his rocking cover of Labrinth’s “Beneath Your Beautiful.”
“You sang (the song) like your life depended on it, and that’s an impressive testimony. It’s very fascinating,” Legend said. “You also performed the song with great skill as singers.”
McEntire was also impressed by the 36-year-old’s stunning stage presence, calling him a “firecracker.”
But Legend wouldn’t throw in the towel so quickly. After Owens revealed that “Legend” is “one of my inspirations,” the “Nervous” singer joined Owens for a short singalong of the R&B ballad, which featured Owens’ young daughter Evelyn Ann.
Legend’s sweet serenade took effect when Owens joined Team Legend.
“I’m still a four-chair king, baby,” Legend said.
‘The voice’: Reba McEntire picks up 4 Chair singer Jordan Rainer after covering her song “Fancy.”
Reba on “The Voice”: An exclusive sneak peek at season 24 with the new country icon judge