The new season of "The Voice" got off to a solid start on Monday March 25th with the addition of new coaches Shakira and Usher. The new judges joined veteran coaches Andrew Levine and Blake Shelton in a quartet performance of the Beatles' "Come Together" to start off the show.
After a backstage rally which featured Usher, Shakira, and Shelton agreeing to join forces against Adam, the show was kicked off by a performance from Cara and Rhian Morgan, 27-year-old identical twin sisters from Rochester, New York. They performed Alisha Key's "Fallin" and got every single judge to turn around. After each pleaded their case, the girls chose to join Shelton's squad.
Jess Kellner, 21, followed with a performance Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love" and joined Usher's side. After Kellner, 27-year old Mark Andrew joined Shakira's group while 16-year old Danielle Bradbery joined Shelton despite Usher's attempts to lure her to his team.
Vedo, a 19-year-old, sang the Justin Bieber hit "Boyfriend" and garnered Usher's attention. Christian Porter, a 21-year-old bar musician from Stroudsburg, Penn. joined Shelton's team despite getting interest from Shakira and Usher.
Shakira's team picked up Kris Thomas, a 27-year-old pastor's son, after a shocking performance of a Whitney Houston classic.
Levine eventually got someone to pick him: Judith Hill. According to The Los Angeles Times, Hill is "the daughter of musicians who've played with Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, Chaka Khan and others, Hill herself was set to duet with Michael Jackson on his final "This Is It" tour. After he died, she sang at Jackson's memorial service."
The reaction was generally positive on Twitter. Here are some responses:
@TheAdly: I'm glad The Voice replaced the annoying Christina Aguilera & Cee Lo Green with Usher & Shakira, now I actually like all the judges.
@BrittGastineau: Who's watching the voice I'm obsessed w @shakira
@katrinapmusic: Oh hey now - Shakira is in the game, folks! I'm loving her more and more by the minute. @NBCTheVoice #TheVoice
@BrookeRadio: Shakira and Usher need to stay #TheVoice
@KaylynKyle: Honestly Shakira is a pure babe!!!!! #TheVoice Usher a close second.
@Kaneshow: Shakira just busted out the harmonica on #thevoice. I'm in love. She's added to Hump Island
@TweetLikeAGirI: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, & Usher all on the same show. Thank you Jesus.