Mississippian Mike Steele had all three coaches turn their chairs within the first 60 seconds when he recently auditioned for season 29 of “The Voice.”
The Tutwiler native sang Giveon’s “For Tonight” in his blind audition, which aired on Monday night. The way the NBC show works is that all three coaches have their backs turned to the contestant, and if they like what they hear, they press a button to turn their chair and lay eyes on the person behind the voice.
Both Adam Levine and John Legend turned their chairs almost immediately – about 30 words into Steele’s audition – before Kelly Clarkson followed suit shortly after.
After the performance, Steele introduced himself and it was a stark difference from the silky baritone he sang with.
“I’m Mike Steele. I’m 28 years old, and I’m from Tutwiler, Mississippi. From the Mississippi Delta,” he said with more of a mild-mannered yet somehow deeper delivery.
“I don’t feel like your voice matches your singing voice,” Clarkson exclaimed.
“I get that a lot actually,” Steele replied.
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After the initial reaction from the coaches, Clarkson and her colleagues began fighting over Steele and trying to convince him to join their teams. Legend pointed out what the two have in common, from vocal style to wardrobe. Levine praised Steele’s “deep, rich voice that I wish I had,” adding that he could help grow more comfortable in the higher register.
“We turned for you because we love your voice. That rich baritone is rare,” Legend said. “You know, I’m a baritone myself, and I would love to have you on Team Legend. I feel like we could have a lot of fun working together.”
Steele ultimately chose Legend, who promised to help him build a fan base and “establish an identity as an artist so people know what kind of album they’re going to expect to you.”
For Steele, the moment was about more than music.
“I know I have to be the best role model for my children because I didn’t have the best role models,” the father of two said. “I know that I’m here for a reason. I’m doing it for my family, and I just want to make them proud.”
Steele is currently pursuing a degree in music and previously working as a teacher’s assistant.
Viewers can follow his journey as “The Voice” airs Monday nights at 9/8c on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.