The Voice Premieres: Is Michael Jackson Protégé Judith Hill The One To Beat?
Mar. 26 2013, Published 9:24 a.m. ET
Season four of The Voice premiered on NBC Tuesday night with new mentors Usherand a feisty Shakira joining returning champs Blake Shelton and Adam Levine, and while several performances wowed the judges, one contestant in particular stood out.
VIDEO: Shirtless Adam Levine Gets All-Star Help In Spoofing ‘The Voice’ On SNL
Judith Hill -- who was hand-picked by Michael Jackson to perform on his ill-fated This Is It tour -- floored the panel by performing (former mentor) Christina Aguilera’s smash hit, "What A Girl Wants."
The moment Hill started singing, Blake and Adam IMMEDIATELY turned their chairs around; Shakira waited until thirty seconds into the performance, while Blake punched in at one minute and five seconds.
youtube
“You are the first person that’s ever come on this show and done a Christina song as well as Christina Aguilera,” Adam gushed after her performance. ”As far as I’m concerned, I’m running for President right now,” Adam said, referring to how much he wanted Hill on his team.
- Gwen Stefani's Ex-Husband Gavin Rossdale Pushing Her Buttons After Learning of Trouble With Blake Shelton: Report
- Blake Shelton Packs on Pounds as Fitness Junkie Gwen Stefani Furiously Trains for 'No Doubt' Reunion: Report
- Gwen Stefani 'Bored' Living in 'Middle of Nowhere' on Husband Blake Shelton's Oklahoma Ranch: Report
However, Usher was ready with this clever comeback: “But I’m looking for the first lady, because he woulda never made it without her.”
VIDEO: The Voice’s Adam Levine On Christina Aguilera: ‘We Bicker Like Brother And Sister’
While all four mentors gave Hill the hard-sell for why they should pick his or her team, in the end, she went with Levine, becoming his first team member.
When the show finished, Blake led the pack with three team members, followed by both Usher and Shakira with two members, and Adam with only Hill for now.
Fans of Jackson may also recognize Hill from her moving performance at the King of Pop’s memorial service, when she sang his 1991 hit, "Heal The World."
youtube
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.