'The Voice' Season 18: Kelly Clarkson blocks Blake Shelton, entices Samantha to choose her team
Samantha Howell discovered her passion for music when she was just eight and joined a talent show. From then on, she knew music was the career for her.
The 19-year-old moved out of her parent's house and all the way to Nashville, supporting herself with tips she earns from singing every night. She says the experience of moving to a big city where you know no one really makes you grow up fast.
Samantha wrote her first song when she was just 13 and gives a tiny sneak peek. She does not think it's very good but it turns out, it's a pretty good summer pop song.
Her parents, who are extremely supportive of her dreams, say she's the type who will go after what she wants. "Moving away, as hard as it is, will eventually be worth it. I've never been more ready," says Samantha as she takes the stage.
As an obvious Nick Jonas fan, it seems that he might be her coach of choice if they do turn around for her. But as Samantha breaks out into 'Take It On The Run', it becomes immediately obvious that Blake Shelton's prediction of an R&B singer was wrong.
And Kelly Clarkson blocks him right away because right from the first note, it's clear this is someone with some stunning country vocals in her. Samantha gives us some gorgeous big notes, proving she was worth blocking for. Blake and Nick also turn for her, and now it's time to choose.
Kelly says she used her only block for Samantha, saying she's limitless with genres — she has even done rap. Samantha says she doesn't consider herself a country artist, to the shock of Kelly and amusement of Nick. She prefers to think of herself as a singer-songwriter.
Nick Jonas says her voice took him back to his first dance at his wedding where he danced to 'I Hope You Dance'. Nick says Samantha managed to take him back to dancing with his wife, Priyanka Chopra, on their wedding night with just 90 seconds of music. Kelly counters with "I danced with my husband...at our wedding..." Solid argument there.
John Legend gives the floor to "blocked" Shelton, who says "This show is based on voting and coaching, voting comes from how you connect with the audience out there and the audience of your coach. Probably one of the biggest groups in the world would be a group called the Jonas Brothers."
"I never heard of them," jokes Kelly.
"I'm sure that giant fanbase, each one of them has a cellphone that they can vote from," Blake continues. Seems like his vote is with the coach who did not block him!
"That was kind of dirty but I will take it!" says Nick.
"I really, really want you to pick me!" pleads Kelly, trying to entice Samantha with the Team Kelly jacket.
And finally, the moment of truth: Samantha picks Kelly Clarkson.