Tanner Howe's Shawn Mendes Audition Got Camila and John Making Some Iconic Jokes

For his Blind Audition on The Voice Season 22, Episode 4 (which aired September 27), Tanner Howe performed "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes—an interesting choice, seeing as how Coach Camila Cabello and Mendes were in a relationship that ended in November 2021. But Cabello thoroughly enjoyed the Audition and actually made several jokes and playful comments about how eerily similar Howe and Mendes sound. 

"I thought that was Shawn," Cabello said while her chair was turned, a delighted smile on her face. On why she ultimately didn't spin around for Howe, the "Havana" singer said, "I was like, 'Is Shawn on stage right now?'...I know [Mendes] better than everybody in this room, but the reason I didn't turn around was because I felt like you sounded a little bit too much like him. Obviously, he has an amazing voice. I love this song. But I would be curious when you pick your Coach for you to distinguish yourself." 

To this, Howe said, "I really respect Shawn as an Artist and I see myself in that lane." 

"I was in his lane deeply," Cabello replied back, cheekily. 

Ultimately, Howe had to choose between Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and John Legend, who all turned their chairs for him. When pleading his case, Legend played off Cabello's joke and said, "I married a woman who graduated from Huntington Beach High. Her name is Chrissy Teigen. Eventually, she found her way into my lane...Deeply into my lane." (Howe is a Huntington Beach, CA native.) 

On a serious note, Legend continued, "Once you got up in that tenor section of your voice, it was just so clear and so powerful." 

Shelton and Stefani both had great things to say, as well, and ultimately Howe went Team Gwen. To watch his journey unfold, tune into The Voice on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c and next day on Peacock.