How "Gritty" Sophia Hoffman Got 2 Chair Turns After Striking Out Last Season on The Voice
A little “J.Hud grit” can go a long way.
If at first you don’t succeed, just wait for the seasons to change — and maybe pick a different song.
After walking away dejected from The Voice last season without winning the Coaches’ vote of confidence, 18 year-old Sophia Hoffman spun not one but two Coaches’ chairs in her direction this time around, nailing her Blind Audition for Season 24.
Retrenching and returning to the show after striking out in Season 23, Hoffman drew an immediate “woah!” from Coach Niall Horan as she dug deep into her version of Demi Lovato’s “Tell Me You Love Me.” All the anguish of the past few months melted away for the Chula Vista, California native mere moments after that when Reba McEntire became the first (but not the only!) Coach to finally smash that big red button.
How Sophia Hoffman wowed the Coaches in her second effort on The Voice
McEntire and Horan were the Coaches who came around fast to Hoffman's soulful sound, with Horan confessing her second effort brought “so much more grit and maturity” than he could find in her Season 23 performance. This time out, he said, “You showed us all sides of your voice, which was so impressive."
RELATED: Why Gwen Stefani Says Doing The Voice Without Blake Is Easier Than She Thought
Even with “Queen” Reba fighting hard to win her over (“You know I could have [Horan] beheaded, right?!” McEntire teased), Hoffman granted Horan his wish and joined forces with him.
McEntire, of course, took it all in stride, graciously giving Hoffman props. “I loved your voice,” McEntire gushed. “You had such power and strength in it — so congratulations, and welcome to The Voice! I just really loved it!”
“Honestly, the no-chair turn — I definitely struggled with that,” Hoffman admitted of her Season 23 attempt. “I would sit in my mom and my dad’s room and I would cry. I thought that because of that moment, I wasn’t ever going to be where I wanted.”
RELATED: See Reba McEntire, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, & Niall Horan Cover an Eagles Classic
Horan says Hoffman's got that “J.Hud grit,” a nod toward the iconic Jennifer Hudson — one of Hoffman's favorite Artists. Will the Coaches get to see even more surprising sides to her talent this season? Find out by watching The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
