'The Voice' Season 24: Who is Eli Ward? Niall Horan refuses to turn after feeling threatened by college athlete's style
![Niall Horan refused to turn around for 'The Voice' Season 24 singer Eli Ward (NBC)](http://d2a0gza273xfgz.cloudfront.net/651061/uploads/9b3aa8e0-6c8f-11ee-bcdf-3312002c0947_1200_630.jpeg)
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA: 'The Voice' Season 24's 21-year-old contestant Eli Ward made the judges doubt their decision after they chose to turn around their chair.
The singer seemed to be off-pitch and a bit nervous during his performance in the last Blind Audition round.
Iowa native Eli revealed that he had to choose between music and sports while growing up.
The singer spent most of his time training himself, and running tracks, but ultimately got his interest bent over music.
Niall Horan chose not to turn the chair for the Big 10 college athlete. But, after turning around as he finished singing, Niall was shocked seeing the similarities between their fashion choices.
Niall went on the stage as he said, "Eli, I just noticed" he referred to the white outfits they both sported. Eli asked, "Can we get a picture?"
Unfortunately, his parents did not have the phone with them therefore he did not get a chance to get the photo clicked.
Looking almost similar in white attire, Niall made faces as he claimed, "We're just two cool guys." He went on to claim, "Look at us, so handsome together."
Niall then went on to sower some harsh words on Eli.
He said, "Eli, there were a couple of pitch issues, out of pure excitement as I'm sure it's not easy to come out here and do what you did."
![Niall Horan refuses to turn around for 'The Voice' Season 24 singer Eli Ward (NBC)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/ec009f96-26a0-436d-a2d3-bd0fce155580.png)
'The Voice' Season 24: Eli Ward gets 2 chair turn
Eli performed on 'Bruises' by Lewis Capaldi. Gwen Stefani became the first one to turn around her chair for the singer.
However, Gwen claimed, "As soon as I turned, I can hear that the whole performance went to another place and I was like 'What happened to him?' like you were so solid."
A few seconds after Gwen turned, Reba McEntire also chose to press the button. However, Niall and John legend chose not to turn around for the singer.
!['The Voice' Season 24 singer Eli Ward gets 2 chair turn (NBC)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/7d547ebc-5e06-42ec-b7e2-05b7f41102a7.png)
'The Voice' Season 24: Gwen Stefani compares Eli Ward's off-pitch situation with herself
Gwen totally understood Eli off-pitch situation as it happened because of the excitement of being on such a big stage and seeing such big singers turn around. Gwen compared going through something similar when she was at the age of Eli.
She said, "If I wouldn't have this situation when I was your age, I mean, who knows what would have happened to me." She then joked, "I could have been a huge star." She then stopped making all the judges laugh.
John also noticed Eli missing some pitches he was surprised to see Gwen turn for him.
![Gwen Stefani notices pitch issues in 'The Voice' Season 24 singer Eli Ward's performance (NBC)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/d10a1f03-0ca5-4540-844c-029955cc8150.png)
'The Voice' Season 24: Eli Ward joins Team Gwen Stefani
Eli made Gwen jump in excitement as he picked her as his coach. Gwen believes there is room for Eli to improve and that's what she is there for.
Gwen was happy to add another singer to her team.
!['The Voice' Season 24 singer Eli Ward chooses Team Gwen Stefani (NBC)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/75b10a3a-16d4-4252-821b-b9551016d565.png)
'The Voice' Season 24's new episodes airs every Monday at 8 pm and every Tuesday at 9 pm ET on NBC.