Riley Green had been holding onto his biggest advantage on The Voice Season 30, waiting for the right singer to come along. On Monday night, 15-year-old Allie Rae finally convinced him it was time to use it.
Allie stepped onto the Blind Audition stage and performed Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet,” bringing a bluesy, country-influenced sound to the familiar song. It did not take long for Green to realize he wanted her on his team.
Green turned his chair extremely early in the performance, reacting almost immediately after hearing the young singer’s voice. Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah soon joined him, giving Allie an impressive three-chair turn.
But what initially looked like a battle between three coaches suddenly changed. Because Green had been the first coach to turn, he had the opportunity to use his one-time First-In button.
Green pressed it, automatically securing Allie for Team Riley before Clarkson or Latifah could convince her to choose them.
The move was especially significant because Green had deliberately saved the advantage through the earlier Blind Auditions. While the other coaches had already used their First-In buttons, Green had been waiting for an artist he believed was worth taking the chance on.
After the audition, Green praised Allie’s ability to blend different styles. He was particularly impressed by the way she brought blues, country and Americana influences together while still sounding distinctive.
Clarkson, meanwhile, was clearly disappointed. She had turned for Allie and appeared ready to make a serious pitch, only for Green’s First-In move to end the competition before she had the opportunity.
The moment also led to some playful teasing between the coaches. Clarkson joked about Green’s lack of guilt over stealing away another artist she wanted, while Green happily celebrated finally putting his special button to use.
For Allie, the surprise was just as big. She admitted afterward that she had not expected Green to use the advantage on her and said she felt special knowing he had saved it until her audition.
Green then made his confidence in his newest team member even clearer. Backstage, he explained that he had been waiting to use the button on somebody he believed had the potential to go all the way in the competition.
Now Allie heads into the next stage as one of Team Riley’s youngest artists and with a coach who made it very clear how strongly he believes in her. At only 15, her powerful “Black Velvet” audition has already made her one of Season 30’s young singers to watch.
