The three-night premiere of The Voice Season 30 begins tonight (Sept. 21). Returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine join newcomers Riley Green and Queen Latifah, with Carson Daly back as host. This season introduces the new “First In Button” twist: the coach who turns first on a multi-chair turn can claim the artist immediately before the contestant chooses. The button can be used only once per coach and replaces The Block from previous seasons.
The Voice 30 opens with a series of blind auditions showcasing a range of styles—from country and R&B to Broadway-inflected vocals—giving a strong sense of the teams each coach hopes to build.
BigCountry – 37 – Tacoma, Washington
BigCountry grew up in Bakersfield, California, and performed in an Army band during a deployment to Afghanistan. He delivered a soulful, energetic rendition of “I Put a Spell on You.” His military band background showed in his versatility and stage presence. All coaches except Kelly turned their chairs, and he ultimately chose Queen Latifah.
Joe Henley – 19 – Lower Alabama
Joe, who grew up singing in church, called himself “classic country” and performed “I Don’t Love You Anymore.” His deep, McCreery-like tone suited the material despite some pitch issues. Both Kelly and Riley turned; after some stage banter and a brief duet with Riley, Joe selected Riley as his coach.
Hazel Gerson – 21 – San Jose, California
Hazel skipped her college graduation to audition and delivered a rich contralto performance that showcased a mature sound. Coaches Kelly and Riley turned. Kelly offered coaching guidance and a leather jacket as a friendly gesture; Hazel chose Kelly to continue her journey.
Marcus Ladden Jr – 19 – Atlanta, Georgia
Marcus opened dramatically and sang “Cry Me a River” with a big, Broadway-style voice. He impressed with both vocal power and theatricality. Kelly and Queen Latifah turned; both emphasized his versatility and performance instincts, and Marcus opted to join Team Queen Latifah.
Destinee Monroe – 32 – Atlantic City, New Jersey
Destinee previously signed with Interscope and toured with major acts before joining a rock band. She performed “Home Sweet Home” (Mötley Crüe) with a clear tone and expressive vibrato. Adam turned first, Queen Latifah followed, and Riley pressed his button late; Destinee chose Adam, giving him his first team member of the night.
Brinkley Wright, Ferryn Wright – 20 & 17
This sister duo — who work at Dollywood and draw on family harmonies — sang “When Will I Be Loved.” Their seamless blend and tight harmonies earned a four-chair turn, and after deliberation they selected Riley Green for their coaching home.
Forté – 31 – Emporia, Virginia
Raised by a single mother who made his stage outfits, Forté channels classic R&B. His rendition of “Before I Let Go” showcased a warm tone and solid range but felt a bit generic, and none of the coaches turned. The emotional moment after the audition highlighted how much this opportunity means to contestants regardless of the outcome.
Caroline Alexis – 25 – Alabama
Caroline, a law school graduate studying for the bar, brought a traditionally country tone and an expressive delivery. Only Riley turned, securing another country artist for his team after he hit the button decisively when the others hesitated.
Mia Knight – 16 – Holmdel, New Jersey
Though only 16, Mia performs with remarkable maturity and stage experience, having toured clubs and logged significant performance time. Kelly, Queen, and Riley turned; Queen used her “First In” button to claim Mia before the contestant could decide, creating tension among the coaches and awarding Queen Latifah an early pick for her team.
Owen Uffens – 18 – Rigby, Idaho
Owen sang an airy, delicate version of “Everybody’s Talking.” While there were some pitch inconsistencies and the performance lacked weight at times, his pleasing tone caught the coaches’ attention. Kelly and Adam turned, and Owen chose Adam as his coach.
Brianna Cameron – 13
At just 13, Brianna delivered a commanding performance of “River Deep – Mountain High,” channeling the drama and growl of classic soul-rock. Her stage confidence and vocal maturity impressed Kelly and Riley, who both turned; Brianna ultimately picked Kelly as her coach.
The premiere sets a clear tone for Season 30: coaches are building teams with distinct identities, the new “First In Button” is already influencing decisions, and a wide variety of genres and ages are represented among the hopefuls. Expect the blind auditions to continue offering surprising turns, emotional backstories, and standout performances as the competition unfolds.