Watch the ‘Exceptional’ First Four-Chair Turn on ‘The Voice’
Jordan Rainer
Blake Shelton may be gone, but country music is still a big presence when Season 24 of The Voice premiered on Monday night. Reba McEntire has taken over Blake’s red swivel chair and she is definitely making her presence felt, especially since the first Blind Audition of the night performed a song that Reba made famous: “Fancy.”
It was sung by 33-year-old Jordan Rainer from Atoka, Okla, where Reba has Reba's Place, a combination restaurant, bar, live music venue and retail store.
Reba was the first coach to turn her chair for Jordan, but she was quickly followed by Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan and finally John Legend, giving Jordan the first four-chair turn of the season.
“I heard an exceptional vocalist on this stage that any of us would be lucky enough to work with,” John said. Then asked, “Why did you pick that particular Reba song?”
“‘Cause it’s the best,” Jordan replied. “And, honestly, it was written by a strong woman, it was made famous by a strong woman, and it represents lyrically what women do to survive, and I am a woman who has done what I have to do to survive, so I feel that song with every bone in my body.”
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Looking over at Reba, Gwen said, “This is really difficult. The queen is here, you sang her song, and I am Gwen Stefani doing Ska music from Anaheim, Calif.”
“Well, the outfit has already got you a hit,” Jordan said, indicating the black-and-white checked bra top with matching mini skirt and floor-length coat that Gwen was wearing, and then modeled for the audience.
Gwen continued, “I am new to country music. Eight years ago, I met Blake and that brought me into the genre more, but it’s really about how do I get you to grow and compete with everybody else on the show? One thing also that I could help you with is song choices. I could be like [and she indicates making a phone call], Blake…”
Reba interrupts, “Oh, pulling that card. Now, really, is that fair?”
“No,” Gwen admits.
But John sticks up for her, “All is fair.”
So, Reba pulls out her big guns, “I’m going to call Keith Urban.”
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Then, it’s back to pitching with Gwen saying, “Honestly, I would love to work with you. You’re very gifted. Please pick me.”
Next Niall tries to get Jordan on his team, saying, “When we turned, it all matched up. The energy in your vocals, the sunglasses, the hat…”
Jordan explains, “I wear the sunglasses because it bothers my mother.”
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Everyone laughs, and Niall continues, “The Irish, there’s an element of our music that feeds into country music: a lot of folk, a lot of fingerpicking. I have definitely fallen in love with country music, and you are a country star. It would be an absolute honor to work with you. Pick me.”
Then Reba gets chatty, asking, “Jordan, how long has it been since you’ve been back to Atoka?”
Jordan replies, “I actually played your place not too long ago.”
“I was going to ask you if you’d been there,” Reba said.
“I’m a huge fan,” Jordan compliments.
“Thank you very much,” Reba said.
Resulting in John’s commenting, “I’m so optimistic right now.”
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“How long have you been in Nashville?” Reba asks.
“I moved there eight years ago with a husband and a wiener dog. I still have the wiener dog,” Jordan answers, displaying her sense of humor.
Everyone laughed and you could tell Reba appreciated the humorous touch when she said, “Well, if you did pick me as your coach, we’d have a blast.”
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Then Niall interrupted Reba by hitting his button and it’s like God’s speaking, except it’s Blake’s voice coming from above saying, “Niall is like a son to me. Niall is a global superstar.”
Reba asks Niall, “How much did you pay him?”
And Gwen says, “I am so mad at him right now.”
To which Niall responds, “I told you our relationship was strong.”
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Reba tries to continue her pitch to get Jordan on her team, but Niall presses his button again, so Reba picks up her Queen of Country scepter and goes to stand in front of him.
“We would have fun together, reminisce about old times in Atoka, Okla., and I would keep you away from Niall the whole time because he’s a wild man,” she finally says.
Then Niall, using Blake’s accent, says, “This is my second season on The Voice, and I would be proud to have you on team Niall.”
John finally gets in a word, saying, “You are a real-deal singer with a great range, very charismatic, great stage presence. You are going to do fantastically on the show. Who do you pick as your coach?”
Is there any doubt? Jordan says: “Here’s your one chance Reba. You didn’t let me down.”
And Reba says, “Jordan came out and started ‘Fancy’ and did it differently than me. I said to myself, if she doesn’t pick me, I’m going to cry. Nowadays, it takes more than being a talented singer. Take Taylor Swift, for instance. She works so hard to communicate with her fans. I can see Jordan doing that.”
The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
