Getting a four-chair turn on “The Voice” is a big deal, and one singer wasn’t going to leave the stage until he got it.
During the second round of blind auditions on Tuesday night, NBC’s “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon made an unexpected visit and sang a rendition of Michael McDonald’s song “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” in front of coaches Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Chance the Rapper, and Blake Shelton.
Clarkson, Horan, and Chance gave each other a few confused glances behind their seats before pressing the buttons of their chairs, which caused them to turn around and show that Fallon was the one singing into the microphone.
Fallon had to cross the stage, hit Shelton’s button, and transform himself into a four-chair turn since Shelton was the only coach who didn’t do so. Later, Fallon said he came to the NBC singing competition to celebrate Shelton, who has been a coach on the show for all 23 seasons and is leaving in May.
Blake Shelton quickly recognized that the surprise auditionee was Jimmy Fallon and he made it clear that he would not turn his chair for him. In Shelton’s opinion, Fallon’s performance was “not worthy” of a spot on “The Voice” and his impersonation of Michael McDonald was “disrespectful” to the legendary musician. To Shelton, it was “like slapping McDonald in the face”.