Kayleigh Mathews captivated all four coaches during her blind audition on The Voice on October 5, selecting Queen Latifah as her mentor after a standout performance.
The country artist’s rendition of a Vince Gill classic garnered enthusiastic responses from coaches, leading to intense competition among them to win her over. Mathews’ decision reflects her personal musical journey and highlights the diverse influences she brings to the stage.
Four Chairs Turned for Mathews
Mathews’ choice of a Vince Gill song impressed the coaches, none more so than Riley Green, who praised her ability to take on such a renowned artist. In his reflections, he mentioned, “Kayleigh, I loved every bit of that. It was so great. Those are big shoes to fill, and you really did it.” His comments underscored the high expectations set by Gill’s legacy, to which Mathews met and exceeded.
Kayleigh, I loved every bit of that. It was so great. And to take on Vince Gill, who’s one of the greatest vocalists in country music, those are big shoes to fill and you really did it. That’s so what I grew up listening to and the vibe of it took me back to Alabama. Literally closed my eyes and I’m back home. I’d love to work with you — I think that we can do something great.
Queen Latifah similarly expressed her admiration, stating that Mathews’ performance felt like a spiritual experience, bringing her to “church.” Latifah offered insight into her own approach, promising to help Mathews uncover songs that would showcase her unique vocal abilities.
Mathews’ Heartfelt Choice
Latifah, startled yet excited by the decision, acknowledged Mathews’ potential to cross genres, stating, “I love country music — but she’s beyond country. Country is also soul, rhythm, blues. Who knows what she wants to fly to?”
Adding a playful twist to the coaching face-off, Green crafted a “duck blind” to block Adam Levine’s chair, highlighting the competitive spirit of the show while also showcasing the camaraderie among the artists.
The Voice airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with episodes available the next day for streaming on Peacock. Fans are eager to see how Mathews’ journey unfolds as she embarks on this exciting chapter under Latifah’s guidance.
The 10 Best Vince Gill Songs
Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill has enjoyed a long, slow, steady climb to the top.
Over the course of his five decades in music, he’s become one of country music’s most beloved singers and musicians. Whether performing in the realm of bluegrass, mainstream radio country or rock, Gill has quietly become one of the genre’s most luminous hitmakers.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak