Val T Webb’s performance of Deborah Cox’s ‘Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here’ wins over all four ‘Voice’ coaches.
The final night of auditions for Season 25 of The Voice proved that it’s never too late to live your dream when 43-year-old Val T. Webb got a four-chair turn from coaches John Legend, Dan + Shay, Chance the Rapper and Reba McEntire. Going into the final night of Blind Auditions, each coach only has one spot left on their team, so when Val picks her coach, it will be the final four-chair turn of the season.
“I’m so happy for you because I see the joy in your face, and little relief, too, I think,” John, who was the first to turn for her, said. “It’s very difficult doing this audition but you handled it with such poise and grace. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was the first one who turned for you. Your tone is so elegant. Do you sing in church? You sound like you do.”
The mom from New Braunfels, TX who sang Deborah Cox‘s “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” for her Blind Audition, told John, “I’ve been a worship director for many, many years. I also sing background for professional artists like yourselves.”
John continued: “I’m just going to tell you Val, I grew up singing gospel and soul music, and I just love coaching artists like yourself. You’re so gifted and it would be a joy to work with you.”
The battle for Val continued with Shay Mooney, saying, “I’m taken aback right now. I grew up singing gospel as well and I felt like I was in a worship service for a second. I was feeling it. I think we can all agree that this is really special. You have such a light. I don’t think it’s the lights behind you. I think it’s just you lighting up this room. You are a star. You’re a back up singer no more.”
And his duo partner Dan Smyers continued the thought: “Now you’re the lead singer. That was one of the best performances we’ve seen. We turned around and you kicked it into a whole other gear. It was unbelievable. You’re going to do so well whatever team you choose.”
But possibly the best pitch and most heartwarming wooing of the night came from Chance.
“I heard them say that they grew up in church, which I have never heard them say in all the auditions so far,” he told Val. “That’s usually what I say. I run a vacation bible school in Chicago, and I work with the youth choir there, and these dudes heard me say that I think. So that’s the reason they’re throwing it at you.”
Chance, who was the second to turn for Val continued, “I would honestly love an opportunity to work with you. Your breath control is ridiculous, and I thought you have such a great control of your higher register. You made it your own song and I feel that that’s what this show is all about is people showing their true personalities through their music. I really, really think we can make some special moments together.”
Finally, it was Reba’s turn. She had turned last, so she had to come up with a reason.
“I was like, ‘Well, I’m the country girl singer here, I don’t know what I could do to contribute,’” Reba told Val. “But then I got to thinking, if I’m going to give any notes, I really need to pay attention to see if there’s anything I can critique on. There wasn’t, and that’s when I hit my button because I’ve been in the business for a long, long time and you just look like a beautiful woman who loves to sing for the Lord as I do, and we’d have a great time together. I’d love to be your coach.”
So, who does Val pick? Does she help John keep his reign going as king of the four-chair turns? Does she help Chance steal that title from John for the season? Or did Reba get her first four-chair turn of the season?
Tune in to The Voice tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC to find out.
Then, next week the Battle Rounds begin on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, and stream next day on Peacock.