The 'Curly Sue' star earned a four-chair turnaround, but two singers from New Jersey — an acoustic pop-rocker from Colonia and a rockabilly singer from Bayville — also make it through
"The Voice" judges are always prone to hyperbole, but in the closing moments of the 10th season premiere, this paean to former child star Alisan Porter did not seem misplaced: "The most beautiful, flawless, passionate, pitch-perfect thing I have ever heard in my life," Adam Levine said of Alisan's gorgeous rendition of Linda Ronstadt's "Blue Bayou."
Combined with Alisan's compelling backstory -- "Star Search," followed by roles in "Parenthood" and the lead in "Curly Sue," then Broadway and a descent into drugs and alcohol, and finally recovery, marriage and motherhood -- she's already an early favorite.
All four judges turned around for Alisan, who lives in Agoura Hills, Calif., with Adam already convinced she's going to win, and Christina Aguilera praising her "incredible range and control" and finding common ground with the singer in motherhood. "Inside of you, there's so much to say, and people need to hear that hope." Alison picked Christina.
Another singer, acoustic pop-rocker Mike Schiavo from Colonia, performed a smoky version of "Talking Body" by Tove Lo -- and also earned an impromptu duet with Adam on Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved." Schiavo, who moved to Los Angeles last year, got chair turns from Adam, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton, but picked Adam. (How could he not?)
Who else made it through?
The first singer of the night was Paxton Ingram, a dancer (he performed with Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez) turned singer from Miami, who sang "Dancing On My Own" by Robyn. With his interesting tone and emotional performance, he piqued the curiosity of Blake, Adam and Pharrell. Blake poured it on thick: "I don't know if I've ever recognized true greatness so quickly." He picked Blake.
Mary Sarah, a Texas native who now lives in Nashville and sings classic country, really set herself apart with "Where the Boys Are" by Connie Francis, her rich voice fully embodying the vintage style of the song. She earned a four-chair turnaround, but it was no surprise she picked Blake.
Jersey's John Gilman, a singer from some alternate backwoods version of Bayville, is another throwback singer who specializes in doo-wop and rockabilly. He sang Elvis's "Don't Be Cruel," which earned difficulty points from Adam, the only judge to turn around. Team Adam it is.
Caity Peters, a Long Beach, Calif., worship leader studying to be a teacher, performed "Jealous" by Labrinth. Her stage presence was a bit awkward, but it was a soulful performance that led first Blake and Adam, and then Christina and Pharrell to hit their buzzers. Adam called the performance "heart-wrenchingly beautiful," but she goes with Pharrell.
Bryan Bautista, a former Barclays Center usher who auditioned last season but didn't make it through, performed The Weeknd's "The Hills," which earned turn-arounds from Christina and Blake. In a moment that will be forever enshrined in Adam's heart, Bryan seemed to pick Blake -- but it turned out he was just thanking Blake and opted for Christina.
Abby Celso, a barmaid from Rochester, N.Y., who lost her mother to cancer last year, sang Tori Kelly's "Should've Been Us," and impressed Adam and Pharrell; she picked Pharrell.
Nick Hagelin, a former professional ballet dancer from Atlanta with an adorable son who suffers from a muscular condition that makes it difficult for him to walk, sang Adam's "Lost Stars." Christina, Blake and Pharrell all buzzed in, and although Christina compared him to early Michael Jackson and Blake found similarities to Prince, Nick picked "the Quincy Jones of his generation," Pharrell.
What did you think of tonight's first batch? Do you think either of our Jersey contenders can make it all the way to the finale?
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out TV Hangover, the podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or listen here.
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