The Voice Kicks Off Season 13 With Major Frontrunner

When all four judges chairs turn during The Voice blind auditions, you know there’s a special singer on stage. This was true when the TV talent show experienced the sounds of Keisha Renee, a 30-year-old powerhouse from Inglewood, California.

Renee, who formerly sang backup for Nicki Minaj, comes from gospel roots. However, she has since dipped her proverbial toes into other genres, most prominently country. That was obvious when Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Jennifer Hudson tuned into Keisha as she belted the ballad I Can’t Stop Loving You by Don Gibson on Tuesday.

American Idol alum Hudson was all about Keisha Renee, asking her about what church she attends and telling her straight out that she hears “church in her voice.” But Jennifer also makes sure to let this live wire know that she is churning out her own sound, or “lane” as Hudson puts it.

Meanwhile, Adam Levine is all about hoping he gets a chance to work with this talent but he speaks the truth when he notes that she is “singing something Blake would do with Jennifer’s voice and Miley’s style.”

Miley’s point of contention to win this contender is that since she grew up in Nashville and the music scene, she can boast that her home town is now thriving and that the artists who perform there are making country music that looks different (read: more current) than in earlier generations.

As for Blake Shelton? The iconic singer simply tells it like it is: Even though he’s not originally from Nashville (he went there when he was 17 from Oklahoma), country music is his life.

So, who does Keisha Renee choose to guide her through the TV talent show’s many chapters? Can you guess? Yes? No?

OK, here it is: This frontrunner chooses her boy Blake, who was first to turn his big red chair. No doubt, together this pair of top warblers can move mountains–or at least voters, who may just crown this singer winner of season 13 of The Voice. Stay tuned.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.

Do you believe Keisha Renee is a ringer on The Voice? Do you think she will win the competition? Share your thoughts below.