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Why "Prodigy" Laura Williams' 4-Chair Audition is "One of the Best" the Coaches Heard
It takes a special voice to get the attention of all four Coaches.
Twenty-year-old The Voice contestant Laura Williams hails from Cooperstown, Pennsylvania, where she experienced severe bullying growing up. When the stability of social relationships was uncertain, Williams turned to music as a creative outlet; a way to turn those feelings from pain into something beautiful.
Laura Williams Wins over the Coaches With a Stunning Blind Audition
Williams hits The Voice stage with a staggering performance of “Fingers Crossed,” by Lauren Spencer Smith. From the opening notes, Williams’ rich, deep voice captures the attention of Niall Horan and Gwen Stefani. Once again, the pair race to be the first to hit the buzzer, earning Williams a 2-Chair Turn before anyone has a chance to catch their breath.
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While Horan and Stefani were the first to turn, they weren’t the last. Williams even won over John Legend and Reba McEntire, both of whom have been a little more discerning so far this season, earning herself a coveted 4-Chair Turn.
“You were one of the best I’ve heard, honestly. The control you have, the character in your voice, I would have even thought maybe you wrote that song. That’s how connected you were,” Stefani says of the performance. “And for a 20-year-old to be on this big TV stage in front of us, you were so composed and in control of your performance. It was really, like, major.”
Not missing even a moment, Horan jumps in with his own assessment. “Laura, that was so good. I love your whole vibe; I love your outfit. This is a very, very, very hard song to sing because it’s so snappy. You need quick breaths. Most people would get halfway through that chorus and pass out,” Horan says.
McEntire, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, keeps her comments brief but calls Williams’ voice a God-given gift. Legend, likewise, takes a more passive approach saying, “I think part of the task of a good coach for you is to not overcoach you and mess that up. Then Legend asks what sort of artists Williams likes and who inspires her. She lists several artists including Horan’s own group One Direction.
Still, everyone broke out their customized team sweaters in an attempt to win Williams over. In the end, she made perhaps the only decision she could have, and joined team Niall.
“Sky is the limit for Laura,” Horan says. “Her voice has got so much character in it. I’m so happy to get that win, I think we’re off to a good start.”
Find out just how far Laura goes on The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock!
