‘The Voice’ judge John Legend chooses OKC singer Taylor Deneen

On the final night of blind auditions, Oklahoma City singer-songwriter Taylor Deneen appeared on John Legend’s team Monday night on Season 24 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Deneen, 23, took the final spot on Team Legend with her soulful rendition of Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” which pitted Legend and Oklahoma transplant Gwen Stefani for the title.

The OKC native’s angelic voice had Legend pushing a button and turning his big red chair just 15 seconds later, and Stephanie followed suit less than 35 seconds after hearing Deneen sing.

What did The Voice coaches say about OKC singer Taylor Deneen?

As the blind auditions for Season 24 came to an end, “The Voice” coaches Niall Horan, who won last season with singer Gina Miles, and Reba McEntire, the new coach to fill the spot left by the departure of fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton, were unable to succeed. their buttons are for Deneen.

“My team is full and I’m so sad because it’s a damn good voice that I would really like to represent. It was flawless,” Horan Deneen said after the performance.

“They were so lucky that they were able to turn around; Reba and I are upset.”

With Reba’s team also already full, the Chokey native had to settle for lavish compliments for the OKC contender while also officially declaring Stephanie, who is married to Shelton and now lives in Tishomingo, as a fellow Okie.

“I would have turned around in a heartbeat. You have an incredible voice. Your range is amazing,” Reba Deneen said. “Oklahoma City? Oh man, it’s wonderful to see the same guy Okie, and here’s another one like Okie. It’s something like a transplant, but we claim it.”

Legend raved about Deneen’s voice, declaring, “I’m a Taylor Deneen fan now.”

“I literally have one spot left on my team and I would love for you to complete Team Legend. It would be magical for me. You got better and better and better. You kept finding new places to take notes. ,” He said.

“You really have a phenomenal voice. You can do all the runs. You can do all these things. But there is also this tenderness in your voice. It’s powerful but not overpowering. He’s really nice to listen to and he’s so sweet.” There’s such beauty in it—and I’d love to work with you.”

Declaring her intention to fight for Deneen to join her team, Stefani praised the OKC singer-songwriter.

“I love how feminine your voice is. Your tone is so refreshing. There’s something sneaky like, ‘Yeah, I can be feminine, but look at this,'” Stephanie said. “I know that I don’t sing in your style, and that in this we are different. But I tried myself in many different genres. I understand music; I am also a songwriter. I really think I could be an amazing coach for you.”

Despite Stephanie’s praise, Deneen decided to join Team Legend.

Who is OKC singer-songwriter Taylor Deneen?

Deneen was born and raised in Oklahoma City. She began singing when she was 6 years old, soon began composing music and playing instruments, and at the age of 10 she first picked up the alto saxophone.

By age 16, she was writing her own original songs, having learned to record her own vocals and instrumental tracks at Spencer’s recording studio.

2017 graduate of Carl Albert High School. and national winner YoungArts have competed in honor orchestras, choirs and festivals throughout Oklahoma and the country.

In 2017, Deneen received a full scholarship to attend a prestigious university. Berklee College of Music in Boston. She received the Berklee Voice Department’s Outstanding Performer Award in 2019 and graduated with honors with a dual bachelor’s degree in Professional Music and Contemporary Writing and Production in 2021.

She revealed on “The Voice” that she moved back to OKC after graduating from college and works in her hometown as a songwriter, including writing songs for anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. She even sang a tribute to The Voice coaches that she wrote at the end of her audition.

What’s next in The Voice?

With the blind auditions complete and all four teams filled out on Monday’s episode, “The Voice” moves on to the battle rounds as Season 24 continues Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Voice airs at 7:00 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.