Choosing a winner is never easy for the coaches on The Voice, and first-time coach Riley Green is learning that firsthand in Season 30. One recent battle left him torn between two talented singers on his team.
On October 19, viewers watched Allie Rae and Harmony McKee take the stage for a performance that made their coach admit he had been dreading the decision he would have to make.
Allie Rae, 15, first caught Riley’s attention during her Blind Audition with a cover of Alannah Myles’ Black Velvet. Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah also turned their chairs, but Riley used his First In button to secure Allie for his team before the other coaches could recruit her.
Harmony McKee, 19, took a different route during her audition. Although country music is not usually her style, she performed Miranda Lambert’s Gunpowder & Lead, earning chair turns from Riley and Adam Levine. She ultimately chose Team Riley as well.
For their Battle Round performance, the two singers took on Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine. Their haunting rendition gave both artists a chance to show off their vocal range, while their harmonies made the performance even more memorable. Riley was so impressed that he gave them a standing ovation, but he still had to choose only one singer to move forward.
Who did Riley Green choose as the winner?
Kelly was the first coach to share her thoughts after the performance. She praised Harmony’s voice, telling her, “You have the most beautiful resonance. It’s such a beautiful gift you have.”
She also complimented Allie’s style, saying, “For 15 years old, you have a really rad style.” When it came to choosing a winner, Kelly said she would lean toward Allie.
Adam agreed that Allie would be his pick. Queen Latifah praised Allie’s “gorgeous” high notes and Harmony’s vocal stamina, though she did not reveal which singer she would choose.
Then it was Riley’s turn, and he admitted that the decision would not be easy.
“This is one that I’ve both been looking forward to quite a bit, and also dreading a little bit,” he said.
Riley first praised Allie, describing her as a major talent regardless of her age. He also highlighted the unique way she delivered certain notes and expressed confidence in her future.
He then turned to Harmony, calling her “one of the most talented vocalists on the show.” Riley added that her voice “completely filled the room” and described her performance as “awesome.”
Despite the praise for both singers, Riley had to make his choice. He explained that the two artists were “completely neck-and-neck,” making the decision especially difficult.
In the end, Riley chose Allie Rae as the winner, sending the 15-year-old singer forward in the competition.
Why did Riley Green choose Allie Rae?
In a post-performance interview, Riley called the showdown “one of my favorite battles.” He explained that his decision was also tied to the faith he had placed in Allie from the beginning.
“She’s who I used my ‘First In’ on, I believed in her from the get-go,” he said. “And I think she’s got a really great chance to go a long way on the show.”
Kelly appeared to share his confidence in the young singer. After Allie and Harmony left the stage, she told Riley, “That little girl, she could win.”
Riley may have found the decision difficult, but his fellow coach’s reaction suggested that Allie could be a serious contender this season. Do you agree with Riley’s choice after watching Allie Rae and Harmony McKee’s battle?
