TV 3 months ago

The Voice: Young Contestant Wows with Adele Hit

Jaukeem Fortson, just 13, impresses on The Voice with Adele’s "Easy on Me," securing spots with Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, and Reba McEntire.

The young contestants of The Voice are bringing excitement to the Blind Audition stage. On the third night, 14-year-old Jaylen Durham wowed the judges with a Beyoncé performance, impressing Gwen Stefani so much that she hit her replay button. However, on night four, Jaukeem Fortson took it to a whole new level.

At only 13 years old, Jaukeem stands out as the youngest contestant of season 26. Dressed impeccably in a sharp suit, he embodies maturity—his mother affectionately calls him “an old soul” who always dresses up for his performances. He confidently delivers Adele’s “Easy on Me,” a challenging song even for seasoned artists. Remarkably, he secures three coaches’ attention before he even reaches the chorus, with Michael Bublé turning his chair first. The trio of coaches—Michael, Snoop Dogg, and Reba McEntire—are taken aback by his talent. Snoop can't help but exclaim, “What?!”

Though Gwen does not push her button, she quickly realizes her mistake and expresses regret for missing out on him. She tells Jaukeem that he has “so much potential” and reassures him that the other coaches will help him hone his skills, particularly in perfecting his vocal runs. The three coaches eager to work with him are excited about the prospect of mentoring someone as gifted as Jaukeem. Reba predicts he “is gonna be around for a while,” and in a bold moment, Jaukeem responds to her advice by singing her classic hit “I’m a Survivor.”

Both Michael and Snoop are impressed by Jaukeem’s ability to handle pressure with such poise, recognizing his potential for growth as an artist. Michael expresses his enthusiasm for both Jaukeem and the coaching experience, stating, “I don’t know if I’m more excited for us as coaches or for you.”

When Jaukeem confidently sings “I’m a survivor,” it becomes clear he will be joining Team Reba. As the competition heats up, it will be fascinating to see if Jaukeem can maintain his composure. If he does, he could be a standout star this season.

The Voice airs on NBC every Monday and Tuesday.