‘The Voice': Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Get Into First Battle Over Kat Hammock
The Voice Season 17 kicked off Monday (Sept. 23) with the famed blind auditions—allowing returning coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, as well as returning alum Gwen Stefan, to take cracks at their initial team builds. A highlight of this particular season is the rivalry between real-life partners Shelton and Stefani, who have both vowed that they will not go easy on each other in their respective quests to win.
Viewers didn't have to wait long for a little tussle between the lovers. When 18-year-old Kat Hammock, a lilting vocalist with a penchant for old-school hits and some good piano chops, took the stage with Billy Joel's "Vienna," Shelton and Stefani were the sole chair turns—and they both had a lot to say in regards to winning Hammock over.
Stefani, who had been waxing rhapsodic about the kind of female singer she wanted to recruit on her team just shortly before Hammock performed, noted with entrancement: "I was just saying what I want next is a little princess girl that just sings like an angel...that sings beautiful, that will be my little girl," she raved.
Meanwhile, Shelton—who had not yet scored anyone to his team—took a storming approach. "I had three people in the finale last year. There's only four that made it to the finale," he groused. "I have nobody on my team this year! What is going on around here?"
In a desperate move, he brought out a pair of camo fishing waders, emblazoned with his name, and apologized that they aren't as cool as the jackets Clarkson and Stefani have on tap to hand out to team members. "This is stupid! It's because I'm that desperate for you to pick me as your coach," he noted. "'ll just put 'em right here. Dad, they'll probably fit you, dad," he addressed Hammock's father.
Shelton didn't have to go that far, as Hammock went ahead and chose him for her coach. We're sure Stefani will be able to exact her revenge later in the season.
We'll be following along each week to keep up with the Season 17 competition, so be sure to check in weekly to check the progress of your favorites on the show.
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