Morgan Myles, a 35-year-old singer from Nashville, Tennessee, earned a four-chair turn on NBC’s The Voice with a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
With her acoustic guitar in hand, Myles took the stage for her audition and never could have imagined what would happen next. Her impressive vocals caught the attention of all four of The Voice coaches: Gwen Stefani, Camila Cabello, John Legend, and Blake Shelton.
“Do you see this? I turned around, she looked straight into my soul, and she was like, ‘There’s Gwen Stefani. I want to be on her team,’” Stefani exclaimed before realizing she was blocked by Cabello.
Legend complimented Myles’ fearlessness and even told her that her audition was one of the most memorable auditions in quite some time.
“I feel like we don’t get a lot of people singing that song just because it’s so intimidating. It takes some cojones to come here and sing it with such confidence,” he said. “Then, we got to see your range, and you’re hitting those piercing, beautiful notes. It was exquisite. One of the best blind auditions I’ve seen in quite a long time.”
Legend then asked Myles about her life in Nashville, where she explained, “I’ve been touring, I’m a demo singer for a lot of people as well. I’ve even opened some festivals with Blake before — but, like, way before, but It’s been a long journey. It hasn’t been easy.”
She went on to share that she has been in Music City for nearly two decades pursuing a career in Country music.
“I’ve been in Nashville for 16 years, but I’m a full-time touring artist. I’ve played 117 shows in the last year — solo, acoustic — in almost all 50 states,” Myles continued to explain. ”There was days I was just about to lose it, but I’ve been very blessed because my parents have been my rocks in a really, really hard industry.”
Cabello praised Myles’ vocals and attempted to convince the budding star to join her team.
“You have such a gorgeous tone. I want to hear records from you. You kind of have a Rihanna-esque way of going like this, singing with your hands,” Cabello added. “I was like, ‘Yes, that is what I’m looking for. She is singing from her soul and making people feel,’ and to me, I feel like that is the highest hope of an artist. I’m freakin’ nervous because I want you so bad.”
Cabello then asked the contestant, “what kind of music do you want to make,” to which she replied, “Being that I’m very on the edge of country, I’ve always been extremely soulful, but I love pop melodies — but I love storytelling, and I hope that we can really find that great lane.”
Ohhhhhh wow, this sets the tone for Monday's premiere. @morganmyleslive PICKS A COACH 8/7c on @NBC and streaming on @PeacockTv. pic.twitter.com/ilxZRltsrm
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) September 16, 2022
“I know you’re the least likely to pick me,” Cabello acknowledged. “You’ve got Blake, country, and John, soul — I mean, I do love pop melodies, and I am a storyteller, too. I feel like you know who you are as an artist, and if you picked me as your coach, I would just be excited to help you on that journey.”
Finally, it was Shelton’s turn to persuade Myles to join Team Blake.
“Hi Morgan, I’d like to have a heart-to-heart with you for just a second. When I moved to Nashville, I was 17 years old, and I started singing demos for songwriters, and that was where I made all my beer money,” Shelton told Myles. “So, when I hear you talking about that, and then I hear you talking about playing the crappy noon spots on festivals — I did all that stuff.”
“Me too, by the way,” Cabello chimed in.
“Her microphone was supposed to be muted, also,” Shelton said in response to Cabello before addressing the contestant. “Your gift is that you can make people really believe what you’re singing about, and you just need somebody to help you along that journey. I would be honored to be that coach for you, Morgan.”
“You’re amazing. I’m so sad that I’m not in the running. You sound like you’re on a Grammy stage already, it’s ridiculous,” Stefani interjected. “One thing I will say, my husband, I’ve watched him outside of this show help people. He has the biggest heart. I’m just really excited for you right now.”
“I want what’s best for you, and if what you want is Blake’s support and help to be a country artist, absolutely,” Cabello explained. “If what you want is to pave your own lane — you’re not a country artist, you’re not a pop artist, you’re just Morgan — then I would be really excited to work with you.”
“Interesting strategy,” Legend said laughing.
As the clip came to end, Stefani prompted Myles to choose her coach as Shelton shouted, “come on Morgan.”
To find out which coach’s team Myles chose to be a part of, fans can tune into the season 22 premiere of The Voice on Monday (Sept. 19) at 8/7c on NBC.
