Brandon Diaz finally got his chair turn on “The Voice,” and Adam Levine admitted he made a mistake by passing on him back in Season 4. The 29-year-old returned to the show for Part 5 of the Season 30 Blind Auditions, and this time the coaches couldn’t ignore him.
Diaz first auditioned for the show in Season 4, singing Andy Grammer’s “Fine By Me.” He did not get a turn then. On Monday’s episode, he performed Justin Timberlake’s “Drink You Away” and earned turns from three coaches. Queen Latifah was the first to turn, and Kelly Clarkson told him, “You can sing your behind off, sir!” Adam Levine admitted later that he “made a mistake” not turning for Diaz.
Diaz’s Return Performance
Diaz recalled his first try in blunt terms. “I did not get a chair turn,” he said. “I remember being so nervous. I didn’t really know myself as an artist. I was still figuring things out.”
That rejection only pushed him forward. He now works as a full-time musician after attending Berklee College of Music. He is also married to Jackie Foster, who made it to “The Voice” Season 14 semifinals.
His performance of “Drink You Away” was smooth and strong, TVLine graded it A-. Queen Latifah turned first, earning Diaz’s loyalty. Kelly Clarkson’s compliment sealed the deal. Levine admitted his mistake after the fact.
The episode also featured nine other artists who made it onto someone’s team. Here is how they broke down:
- Marilyn Hucek, 34, Team Adam Levine
- Keiyana Osmond, 32, Team Riley Green
- Dakota Cohen, 25, Team Adam Levine
- Luke Cope, 33, Team Queen Latifah
- Nina Howland, 24, Team Kelly Clarkson
- Luke Curran, 31, Team Adam Levine
- Matthew Chiu, 25, Team Kelly Clarkson
- Brandy Neelly, 31, Team Riley Green
- Kayleigh Mathews, 31, Team Queen Latifah
The Other Nine Artists Who Made The Cut
Marilyn Hucek, 34, sang Shakira’s “La Tortura” entirely in Spanish. Queen Latifah turned immediately when she heard the first notes. Hucek fully embodied the song’s theme, oozing attitude and emotion in every note. Even if you didn’t understand the words, you understood the song. TVLine graded it B+.
Keiyana Osmond, 32, delivered a sultry, stripped-down rendition of “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer. It wasn’t a particularly rangy performance, but Osmond’s vocal sweet spot is somewhere we could chill all day. Riley Green clearly felt the same way. TVLine graded it A-.
Dakota Cohen, 25, shredded the stage with Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” Her voice is like a bomb, and once it went off, so did she. Cohen revealed that Levine once gave her a thumbs up after she sang Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” at a restaurant where the coach happened to be dining. That connection sealed the deal for Adam Levine. TVLine graded it A+.
Luke Cope, 33, dedicated his performance of Cam’s “Burning House” to his struggles with alcohol. The emotions came instantly, and he always sounded like he was on the verge of tears, but not in a way that negatively impacted his voice. Cope has a big heart, with a big voice to match. Adam Levine and Queen Latifah both turned for him. TVLine graded it A-.
Nina Howland, 24, is an absolute beast on the microphone. Her voice is the most exciting we’ve heard so far this season, and Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like A Man” was a perfect song to showcase her many tricks. There was also a thrilling theatricality to her performance, which shouldn’t be a huge surprise, as she once sang for Hugh Jackman. All four coaches wanted Howland on their team, but Kelly Clarkson was the obvious choice. Howland picked the song because she knew it was Clarkson’s favorite Raitt tune. TVLine graded it A+.
Luke Curran, 31, brought the perfect folksy, classic-rock sound to Jim Croce’s “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels).” His guitar playing was impressive, and his unassuming vibe was endearing and authentic. Riley Green and Adam Levine went to war over him, but Curran is a “day one ‘Voice’ fan,” and choosing anyone other than Levine simply wasn’t an option. TVLine graded it A.
Matthew Chiu, 25, is a Brooklyn-based a cappella singer who was nervous to step away from his usual ensemble for the first time. He performed Daughtry’s “Home” with explosive range, and even Kelly Clarkson was the only coach to turn. TVLine graded it A.
Brandy Neelly, 31, is a professional baker who brought goodies for the “Voice” crew when she dropped by for her audition. She was previously hired by Riley Green’s team to make a cake for his birthday before he ever became a coach. Both Green and Queen Latifah turned for her performance of Dottie West’s “Lesson in Leavin'” with compliments about her strong voice and infectious energy. TVLine graded it A.
Kayleigh Mathews, 31, ended the night with Vince Gill’s “When I Call Your Name.” It fit her classic country style perfectly. TVLine graded it A.
Comparing The Best Of The Night
| Artist | Song | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Diaz | Justin Timberlake’s “Drink You Away” | A- |
| Dakota Cohen | Black Sabbath’s “Changes” | A+ |
| Nina Howland | Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like A Man” | A+ |
| Luke Curran | Jim Croce’s “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)” | A |
| Matthew Chiu | Daughtry’s “Home” | A |
Diaz’s return is the story that anchors the episode, but the other performances were uniformly strong.
Why The Comeback Story Works
The best comeback stories have a few ingredients. First, there has to be a genuine loss. Diaz got rejected in Season 4, and he remembered the moment vividly. “I remember being so nervous,” he said. “I didn’t really know myself as an artist. I was still figuring things out.”
Second, there has to be a payoff. Diaz came back years later, now a full-time musician with Berklee on his resume. He married Jackie Foster, whose own “Voice” history adds a family angle to the story.
Third, there has to be a confession. Levine admitted his mistake, which gives the story a coach-level stakes. “I made a mistake,” Levine said.
That admission is the difference between a feel-good moment and a comeback with weight. Diaz’s return is already a crowd-pleaser. Levine’s confession makes it a story about judgment and redemption.
The Verdict On Monday’s Episode
“The Voice” gave Brandon Diaz a second chance, and the show did the right thing by letting him earn it. His performance of “Drink You Away” was smooth and strong, growing into something spectacular. Every vocal trick in his arsenal was on display.
Adam Levine’s admission that he made a mistake added a layer of honesty to the comeback. It was probably hard to pass on Clarkson after she told him, “You can sing your behind off, sir!”
The episode delivered nine other artists who made it onto someone’s team, each with their own strengths. TVLine graded them all highly, with several hitting A+.
The comeback story works because it is personal. Brandon Diaz came back, learned from his mistakes, and proved himself. Adam Levine admitted his error. The show gave him a second chance, and he made the most of it.
That is the kind of story audiences love. It is the reason people keep tuning in week after week.
Source material: “The Voice Gives Brandon Diaz A Second Chance In Season 30, Adam Levine Admits: 'I Made A Mistake',” TVLine.
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