impala_chick: (Nikita)
impala_chick ([personal profile] impala_chick) wrote2021-01-29 11:36 pm

Snowflake Challenge 10: Love Letter to Canon

I watch The Voice mostly because it's fun and easy and relaxes me. But Bailey Rae and John Legend teaming up during Season 19 really felt special to me. Bailey Rae was 18 at the time, hailing from Roberta, Oklahoma. By the time it was her turn to audition, Blake Shelton's team was completely full. He is stereotypically the "country" coach, so I didn't expect her to be picked by anyone. She really crushed it with an older song, and John Legend was the only one to turn for her.

She became the very first country singer on John's team - he's stereotypically the R&B and soul coach. It was a totally flipped script, and I was surprised. But then as the season went on, John proved it wasn't just a move to break tradition. He was always so genuine with her and encouraged her classic country sound, and they seemed to genuinely warm up to each other. I respected the hell out of John Legend after, for reaching out to someone he did not have to pick. And then Bailey Rae made it all the way to the top 9! I'm probably reading too much into it, but with the state of the country right now, the metaphor seemed clear to me. A Midwestern woman from an ultra-conservative state forming a truly accepting and mutually beneficial relationship with a hollywood/famous liberal on live TV? I loved everything about it. Also, I totally loved her voice. These are my two favorite performances of hers:





She's releasing her own music now!
sjh2009: (Snowflake3)

[personal profile] sjh2009 2021-01-30 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
That's such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I'm in the UK so am not familiar with her but I'm going to watch those videos later as I'm curious now. John Legend clearly knew what he was doing.

Thank you for sharing :)
sjh2009: (Plum - Summer)

[personal profile] sjh2009 2021-02-04 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Kept this tab open and have just come back to listen. They were two amazing performances, she has a wonderful voice. Thank you for reccing these performances.
spikedluv: (summer: sunflowers by candi)

[personal profile] spikedluv 2021-01-30 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
What a great story! Thank you for sharing that. And those performances were both amazing!