The Voice still widely-watched

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton still taunt each other in getting contestants. Yet, The Voice 9 which recently reeled off, has proven that it continues to be a widely watched reality singing competition, notwithstanding the constant bickering of Adam and Blake.

Pharrell Williams returns as coach for the third time after scoring his first win last season with Sawyer Fredericks from Fultonville, New York. Pharrell was the first to get an artist from the Blind Auditions this season, as he enlisted the first four-chair turner, Mark Hood from Chicago, Illinois.

Another four-chair turner was Jordan Smith of Harlan, Kentucky who rendered Chandelier. Jordan chose Adam for his coach. Adam was the coach choice of four other four-chair turners -— James Dupre of Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, Manny Cabo of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Shelby Brown of Elberta, Alabama and the duo Andi and Alex from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Blake was the last coach to secure an artist in the Blind Auditions. Immediately, however, he got his succeeding four-chair turner with Barrett Baber of Fayettesville, Arkansas and Blind Joe from Fargo, North Dakota. Blake’s other four-chair turners are Chris Crump from Baytown, Texas, Krista Hughes from Coal City, West Virginia and Dustin Christensen from Orem, Utah.

Gwen Stefani, meanwhile, returns for her second season. The only four-chair turner in her stable was Lyndsey Elm from Vacaville, California.

At the end of the Blind Auditions, all four coaches boast they have a strong line-up of 12 talents who can surely be serious contenders to win.

Three artists had been previously seen in other talent shows. Coach Adam’s pick, Viktor Kiraly, represented his native Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest in Europe twice. He has also won the fourth season of Megastar, a show similar to American Idol.

Another Team Adam recruit, Keith Semple, attempted to enter American Idol and got his Golden Ticket, but he was not allowed to officially join because of residency status. He was a winner of the British singing contest, Popstar: The Rivals. In 2002, he also became a member of the short-lived British boy band, One True Voice, created as an off-shoot of joining Popstars.

Ivonne Acero tried it out in the Blind Auditions in Season 8, but failed to make any coach’s chair turn. This time, she became a toss-up between Gwen and Pharrell, but Ivonne chose the latter.

The Battle Rounds are now in progress, where coaches will be forced to cut their teams into half. Joining the coaches are this season’s mentors —young singer-actress Selena Gomez for Team Gwen, singer-songwriter Missy Elliot for Team Pharrell, country artist Brad Paisley for Team Blake and singer-musician John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival for Team Adam.

Team Pharrell: Amy Vachal, Sydney Rhame, Darius Scott, Celeste Betton, Madi Davis, Jubal and Amanda, Riley Biederer, Daria Jazmin, Ivonne Acero, Evan McKeel, Mark Hood and Siahna Im.

Team Gwen: Chase Kerby, Summer Schappell, Korin Bukowski, Alex Kandel, Jeffery Austin, Lyndsey Elm, Ellie Lawrence, Noah Jackson, Tim Atlas, Hanna Ashbrook, Kota Wade and Braiden Sunshine.

Team Blake: Dustin Christensen, Blaine Mitchell, Krista Hughes, Cole Criske, Morgan Frazier, Chris Crump, Tyler Dickerson, Blind Joe, Zach Seabaugh, Emily Ann Roberts, Nadjah Nicole and Barrett Baber.

Team Adam: Dustin Monk, Shelby Brown, Chance Peña, Viktor Király, Andi & Alex, Amanda Ayala, Manny Cabo, Cassandra Robertson, Regina Love, James Dupré, Keith Semple and Jordan Smith.