The Voice featured two big surprises during Tuesday night's broadcast of Season 11's Blind Auditions -- former child country singer Billy Gilman and unexpected powerhouse vocalist We McDonald.
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Fans might remember Billy, a 28-year-old from Richmond, RI, because he signed a record contract with Sony at age 10 and went on to release a hit song and album called "One Voice" the following year.
However, Billy's sweet, high-pitch voice changed when he became a teenager, and so he was dropped from his record label. Once he came out as gay, Billy embraced the next stage of his life and realized he wanted to sing pop music rather than country. He came to The Voice to prove to himself he has what it takes to succeed, and boy does he!
Billy performed "When We Were Young" and all four coaches -- Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys -- pressed their buttons and turned their chairs around for him.
Upon hearing the name "Billy Gilman," Blake recognized him immediately and said he was wondering why he had dropped off the map so long ago. Blake said this new sound is "where he belongs musically."
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"Let me take care of you!" Miley chimed in passionately, saying she also recalled his music video for "One Voice."
Meanwhile, Adam was standing on his feet and told Billy it wasn't even possible for him to sit down after hearing that performance because the artist possesses an "intangible quality" the show searches for. Adam suggested Billy "really could be the guy" to win it all.
Alicia complimented Billy on having "a gorgeous voice" and admitted she was inspired by him. But after hearing everyone out, Billy chose to join Adam's team.
Adam also convinced the following artists to join his team last night: Brendan Fletcher, a 26-year-old from Brooklyn, NY, and Andrew DeMuro, a 25-year-old from Chicago, IL.
The other star of the night was We McDonald, a 17-year-old from Paterson, NJ. Her speaking voice is very high-pitched and sounds like Minnie Mouse, according to Alicia, but her singing voice is deep and strong.
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McDonald was bullied in middle school but has had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall twice as well as the Apollo stage. She sang "Feeling Good" for the coaches on The Voice, and everyone turned around for her.
Miley noted how McDonald's voice is "so strong" and she's "a total star." Alicia complimented her beauty and said she's "so perfectly herself."
"You're the kind of person we learn from. I'd do anything to be your coach," Blake interjected.
Adam explained the whole performance was "so remarkable" and he can teach her things, like how to build confidence, since she's so young. Adam also said he'd throw a party for her if she chooses to be on his team. Alicia, however, wasn't giving up, insisting the artist came to The Voice simply to meet her.
In the end, McDonald decided to join "Team Alicia."
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Alicia also won over Lauren Diaz, a 24-year-old from Apple Valley, CA, who has always been a huge fan of the "If I Ain't Got You" singer. Alicia actually sang a couple lines from the song to win Lauren over. Once the pair walked backstage to meet her family, Lauren's boyfriend proposed marriage. They have one child together.
The following artists joined Blake's team on Tuesday night's show: Dan Shafer, a 56-year-old from Mount Juliet, TN, and Ethan Tucker, a 26-year-old from Olympia, WA.
The artists who decided to join "Team Miley" were Sophia Urista, a 31-year-old from New York, NY, and Sa'Rayah, a 28-year-old from Chicago, IL.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski