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Kelly Clarkson admitted she was “so bummed” when she didn’t turn her chair for a Texas-born country singer on The Voice: Battle of Champions.
Kendra Remedios, 31, a dental hygienist from Arlington, Texas, shared her story before taking the stage during the blind audition. Remedios said she planned to pursue music and move to Nashville, Tennessee; however, her father’s health struggles after suffering a brain aneurysm changed her plans. Remedios lost her father, but she considered him “the hidden fourth coach,” alongside Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine. Remedios’ mother told her backstage, “Dad would be so proud. He’d be cheering you on and crying at the same time.”
Remedios auditioned with “Girl Crush,” a hit single from Little Big Town’s 2014 record, Pain Killer. Her soulful “grit” quickly earned her a chair turn from Legend, who praised her performance. Though Levine and Clarkson didn’t turn, they applauded Remedios’ voice.
“I’m so bummed, Kendra. I’m sorry,” Clarkson said. “I love the song, and I even loved your tone. I thought it was really cool. But my team is filling up…and I have some country singers. I obviously know that song. I love Little Big Town so much. But it is not because you are not gifted. I’m so happy you’re on this show. I love to see a Texas girl shine.”
Legend said he “couldn’t resist” recruiting the country artist for his team.
“I heard that voice just crackling the way it does, and I love the crackle,” he said. “I love that Texas grit, you know? Something about it… I loved that I was hearing country. I was hearing rock. I was hearing soul. I was hearing blues. And I figured they would turn, too, and they would fight with me for you. But I’m lucky I have you all to myself, Kendra. Welcome to Team Legend!”
The Voice: Battle of Champions airs on Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on NBC. It’s available to stream the next day on Peacock. Watch Remedios’ audition here: