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Who is Tae Lewis? 'The Voice' Season 25 fans fear singer may get lost in Team Reba's sea of 'white country contestants'

'The Voice' Season 25 fans unhappy as Tae Lewis picks Team Reba over John Legend

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The first significant Coach fight of the season occurred just 20 minutes into Season 25's debut on February 26, when John Legend and Reba McEntire competed for the affections of Tae Lewis, a Nashville-based country artist looking to advance in his expanding career. However, 'The Voice' had a distinct preference that did not coincide with Tae's.

In his introduction video, Tae discussed some of the hurdles he's had as a Black musician attempting to break into country music, as well as why his Blind Audition song choice, Keith Urban's 'Somebody Like You,' symbolizes that. With guitar in hand, Tae started into his song choice, prompting a Chair Turn from John, who gleefully observed while the other Coaches listened and evaluated.

Reba, as she frequently does, waited until the high notes of the song's chorus before pressing her button and turning her own Chair, ensuring that she loved Tae's voice throughout its range. Tae ended up with only two Chair Turns from John and Reba, but that didn't mean nobody else was interested.

Dan + Shay supported Reba as the best coach for Lewis, while Chance the Rapper had a different opinion. Then it came time for the two competing coaches to present their cases, and John lost no time in emphasizing his desire to develop a particular relationship with Tae.

Reba, with the Queen of Country Music scepter, was having none of it. After a little more friendly discussion, it was up to Tae to make a decision, and he spent no time choosing Reba as his Coach, giving Team Reba their first artist of the season.

Fans on X, shared their disappointment with Tae's choice, "He should have gone with John. As soon as she starts having white country contestants he is gone." While another wished, "Hope he makes it into that country circle."

One fan also wrote, "Solid country performance, though I think he should’ve chose John. Going with the Country Coach leaves you lost in the fodder unless you’re a 4 Chair, I fear he’ll fade to the background." Another jokingly questioned, "Is Reba and chicken tenders really a good idea for the country artist?" 

Tae Lewis collaborated with multiple 'American Idol' contestants

Tae is a 31-year-old country performer from North Carolina who has previously released a lot of tracks. That music comes in the shape of nine songs released since 2019 and a five-song EP in 2020.

Tae's most recent single, 'Summer of '21,' was released in May. He co-wrote it with Mary Kutterr and Chris Sligh, a former 'American Idol' participant.

According to his website profile, Tae found his love of music at a young age at church. His passion for country music began at the age of 13, when new neighbors moved in next door and exposed him to the genre.

According to his website, Tae was inspired by Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill, and new Voice judges Dan + Shay. He ultimately relocated to Nashville, and one of his songs, "Good Lovin'," was featured on the television series, 'Shameless'.

Last spring, he was designated one of Tractor Supply's five young country musicians, earning the opportunity to be mentored by former 'American Idol' runner-up, Lauren Alaina.

Who are on Team Reba in 'The Voice' Season 25?

Returning to the country genre, Josh Sanders was up next, re-entering the music arena after struggling to sing after the death of his young boy. Reba and Dan + Shay gave him a chair turn after he sang 'Whiskey On You.'

Reba recognized Josh's "power," while Shay Mooney acknowledged the difficulty of the song and their willingness to go against Reba for him. Knowing that his wife would be upset if he "turned down the Queen of Country," Josh went with Reba's choice.

Who is on Team Legend in 'The Voice' Season 25?

John is yet to score himself a singer for Team Legend. In a twist of fate, he also lost Nadege Moss, a 26-year-old singer from Florida, to Chance. 

Nadege stunned John and Chance with her audition, and the veteran coach appeared to have won the battle when he went on stage to duet with the musician on his hit tune 'Ordinary People.' Chance was not discouraged, however, and he volunteered to perform the song with her as well, which she readily accepted, and he climbed the stage to deliver his "best John Legend impersonation."

Chance clearly demonstrated his abilities, and it appeared that he was astonished by how much he sounded like John. The approach, which Reba jokingly called "almost shameful," also paid off, as Nadège unexpectedly joined Team Chance. Chance reveled in the occasion, telling the other Voice coaches that he felt like he'd won the competition.

'The Voice' Season 25 airs on NBC at 7 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. The episodes will be available on Peacock on demand the next day. The streaming site also includes entire episodes from the show's prior seasons.