Contestants Got Snoop Dogg Crying on THE VOICE Season 26 Premiere Recap

Pictured: (l-r) Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé — Photo by: Art Streiber/NBC

Contestants: Jake Tankersley, Sofronio Vasquez, Jan Dan, Ravs, Danny Joseph, Ben Fagerstedt, Torre Blake, Kendall Eugene, Kiara Vega, Chrisdeo, Sydney Sterlace.

“The Voice” is a singing competition show that pulls no punches about the fact that it’s more skewed in favor of the super-star coaches who are mentoring contestant artists than it is about the artists.  This is very evident in the show’s season 26 opening.

Taking on a boxing theme, viewers see this season’s A-List celebrity coaches getting ready for their matchups among boxing elements.  We have returning champ, Reba McEntire, and two-time winner Gwen Stefani, followed by the newbie coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg.  Snoop just made a full circle milestone this year when he bought the same label who gave him his start,  Death Row Records.

Snoop Dogg is admittedly on the hunt to produce some new talent, thus “The Voice” might present him with a promising pool of future artists to poach.

Accept the Chaos!

Pictured: Jake Tankersley — Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC

First contestant of the night, Jake Tankersley from Oklahoma, was a major green flag for Reba. However, she was BLOCKED by Gwen!  Snoop was the first coach to push for this sultry smooth sounding Country artist.  His pitch to win over Jake was that he’s worked with Country greats including Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Hank Williams Jr.

Taking a note out of Blake Shelton’s play book (who’s seat he happens to be sitting in) Snoop said if they team up “this will shake up the world!”  John Legend also stole the phrase.

Reba was still having a hard time dealing with the fact she was left out of “the party.” Gwen, who was responsible, got scared and showed off her strength (in case of a fight) by doing push-ups.  But, then, Reba impressed everyone by also doing push-ups!

Michael Buble had Country credits of his own.  He bragged about doing a record with Willie Nelson, singing with Dolly Parton, and was one of the writers of Blake Shelton’s hit, “Home.”  Snoop tried again by articulating he’s an expert in “show” and “business.”

Snoop said he liked Jake’s look, style and the way he plays, the way he sings. “I have been known to have magical pairings with people you wouldn’t expect,” said Snoop.

Snoop explained his team gift, a “Death Row” chain as West Coast greatness in music royalty.  It was the business mogul speech that Snoop gave that was the culprit in winning over Jake to Snoop’s team, attested Jake.  Maybe it was also the Snoop chips that swayed him after Michael gave him an opened bag!

NEW GAME PLAY EXPLAINED:

Pictured: (l-r) Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé — Photo by: Art Streiber/NBC

After the first audition of the night, host Carson Daly explained a new element in “The Voice” game called a Coach Reply button added this season.  Apparently, sometimes coaches have “forgotten” to press their button during the Blind Audition.   Spoiler — this in fact happened with a coach in this episode.  This new button allows for coaches to snag an artist after the audition is over.  The rule is that they can use it only once!

First 4-Chair Turn of Season 26!

Then, an incredible soul singer from the Philippines, Sofronio Vasquez, came out on stage and blew everyone away singing classic 70s song “I’m Going Down.”  He grabbed the first chair turn from Snoop, then quickly from Reba, Buble, and Gwen all upon his first verse.

Previously on another singing competition show in the Philippines, it was evident that Sofronio was very experienced with stage performing.  He has an incredible stage presence.  His soulfulness touched Reba’s heart and she told him he has “the whole package.”

Gwen called it a Grammy performance. Snoop gave a persuasive pitch that ended with “get in where you fit in!”  Then Buble made his best effort with automated signs and train noises.  Sofronio did in fact choose Buble as a coach, becoming Buble’s very first artist on his team.  He was also the first to be gifted a Michael Buble team hockey jersey.

This One’s For Gwen!

That was followed by very smooth sounding artist Jan Dan whose voice was comparable to the sounds of the 80s artists such as Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, and Billy Ocean.  Gwen and Buble turned immediately, while Reba and Snoop sat this one out.

Gwen was endorsed by both Snoop and Reba, along with her opponent Buble after she blew him away with her quick on-the-spot coaching session.  She showed Jan how much better he can be with some eye contact and singing to his audience.

RAVS may have intentionally chosen a song (“Say So” by Doja Cat) with a rap verse because she was hoping to get Snoop’s attention.  But she didn’t with her audition. RAVS had better luck with her handmade jacket that she gifted to him after not winning a chair turn from him, nor any other coach.

In return, Snoop gifted her one of his teams’ necklaces, and after not turning for her, had some really nice words of encouragement for her.

Blowing Smoke!

Pictured: Danny Joseph — Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC

Danny Joseph, who is 37-years-old, is from London, England and currently lives in Dallas, Texas.  He used to sing on the subway in England.   Danny used music to help him recover from Crohn’s disease.  He got sick again in 2023, and his Voice Blind audition is while he’s still dealing with it. Danny said his condition is a lifelong disease that is incurable.

No one would know it by his incredible performance of “I Put a Spell on You.”  The coaches who turned were Snoop, Reba, and Buble who was BLOCKED!   Buble knew it was Snoop who Blocked him.  Gwen called him one of the “strongest and secure voices” she’s heard.

Snoop accused the coaches of “blowing smoke” as the stage theatrics began!  The lights went off on the opposing coaches as clouds of smoke started pouring out in front of them.  Danny went with what he felt in his heart.  That was Reba for his coach!  With that, he got a Funko Pop Reba bobble head as a team gift.

BUBLE MEGA FAN IN THE HOUSE!

Snoop Cried…

When Ben Fagerstedt signed up to audition for “The Voice” and found out that Michael Buble was going to be a new coach, he “freaked out.”  In fact, he previously meant his idol Buble while attending one of his concerts.  His dream of singing with Michael Buble came true when Bubble saw Ben’s sign that he made that read he wanted to sing with him.

Ben auditioned with that same song that he sang with Buble five years ago, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”  He said he wanted to show Buble that he’s not just a 17 year old kid anymore.  Unfortunately it was a no chair turn from not only Buble, but none of the coaches.

Buble explained that “there’s so many technical things,” and he gave some examples.  Buble called Ben a “Pop singer.”  Then showed Ben a few of his pointers by inviting him to sing with him again. The kind gesture brought tears to Snoop’s eyes.

Afterwards, during his interview, Buble said he’s a chameleon and looks forward to coaching someone who shows up on the Pop charts with songs that he’s written for them.  “It’s going to be fun for me to imprint that on whoever ends up on my team.”

Girl Dads Unite!

An Alicia Keys type singer, Torre Blake, who came to her audition with her dad, got the chair turn first from Snoop, then Gwen.  Snoop had some commonality with Blake after finding out she’s a “daddy’s girl” and said he gets it because he is a “girl dad.”  She liked that.

Buble blamed not wanting to pick a fight with the super tall Snoop Dogg for the reason he didn’t turn.  Buble exaggerated their heights, stating he’s 6’4″ and “Snoop is 7-foot-2!”  Snoop stood up to own it.  Really, Snoop is the one who is 6’4″ and Buble is 5’10.”

Snoop loved her smooth style, like him, and wasn’t going to go to battle over her with Gwen because he’s “a lover, not a fighter,” he stated.  Before that, Snoop may have already won over Torre’s dad after speaking highly of his raising her.  When her dad, who played professional NFL for 14 years, came out onto the stage to assist her in choosing a coach, it was Snoop all the way!

Reba Regrets Not Turning..Then Makes it Right!
Snoop Cries Again…

Pictured: Kendall Eugene — Photo by: Griffin Nagel/NBC

Kendall Eugene auditioned with “Don’t Think Jesus” Country song, after his son Morgan previously auditioned on a different season of “The Voice.”  Kendall, from Fort Worth, Texas, surprisingly didn’t get a chair turn, although he sang so well!

Gwen noted it was a tuning issue for her.  Buble thought he should have chosen a different song.  Snoop wanted to turn.  He said he didn’t want to fight with Reba, who had no reason for not turning. So, she decided to use her Coaches’ Replay Button and made Kendall’s day!

Kendall was in tears, as well as Snoop Dogg who was overcome with emotion by the moment.

Showing Off His Skills!

Kiara Vega auditioned with the Spanish song “Amor Eterno” and got a chair turn from Michael Buble instantly.  He is in fact the only coach who knows Spanish.  Buble was soon followed by Snoop, then Reba.  Reba admitted that she couldn’t understand a thing that the 18-year-old Puerto Rican singer was singing, but felt the feeling of it and thanked her.

Buble showed-off his Spanish skills by chatting with Kiara in Spanish.  Kiara revealed that it was her first time performing on stage.  The language tactic worked because Kiara chose him for her coach.  Reba was jealous and reacted that using the contestant’s language as a strategy should be illegal game play.

What an Icon!

Pictured: Snoop Dogg — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Sixteen year old singer from Queens New York, Chrisdeo, stole the hearts of every coach when she broke down crying after her audition.  She got chair turns from Snoop and Buble.  Seeing the emotions pour out of her called for hugs from Gwen and Reba.

Chrisdeo explained that the tears were from her talent not being appreciated while singing on the streets.  At “The Voice” everyone was happy to see her and she’s never felt that before.  Reba told her that all the angels are around her giving her the strength to keep on sharing her beautiful gift.

Snoop encouraged the singer with words of affirmation. She’s strong, and young with time to grow.  She chose Snoop Dogg!

Snoop said he initially pressed his button because he wanted to see what spirit went with that voice.  Snoop said he’s looking for a young artist who’s a little rough around the edges who needs direction.

Gwen commented on Snoop being able to get so many different artists because he’s an icon and everyone, including herself, wants a piece of that.

It Was Gwen All Along!

Young singer, 15-year-old Sydney Sterlace, got the button pushes of Buble and Gwen from the start of her audition.  That was followed by Snoop, then Reba, making her a 4-Chair-Turn.  The youthful sound of her vocals as she sang Olivia Rodrigos’ break-out hit “Driver’s License” got all the coaches excited about her.

In fact, Snoop gave his standing-O before she even finished her performance.  Even though Gwen pulled out all the stops to win over Sydney that included bringing a kitten by the name of “Sydney” to win her over, it was in fact not necessary.  Because in the end, Sydney revealed that she had already had her heart set on having Gwen as her coach!

“The Voice” airs Mondays, 8-10 pm ET/PT on NBC.  Stream it on Peacock the next day.