Former Steel Magnolia Singer Meghan Linsey Auditions on 'The Voice'

Plus, why Blake Shelton doesn't feel bad for not turning his chair around for a fellow country artist

Published on February 24, 2015 05:15 PM

There was one contestant on Monday night’s season premiere of The Voice that country fans were sure surprised to see: Meghan Linsey, formerly of the duo Steel Magnolia.

But instead of crooning country, the singer chose to deliver a soulful version of the Nazareth classic “Love Hurts.” Her performance inspired all of the mentors to turn around, except for one – the only one on the panel she’s ever toured with – Blake Shelton.

“Now I bet you feel extra-bad, huh?” Adam Levine chided Shelton after hearing the news.

“Actually no, I don’t, because if she hadn’t have picked me I’d have been really pissed off,” Shelton said. “She’s one of the best singers I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Linsey certainly managed to impress Christina Aguilera. “You made me believe that love hurts. I was so enraptured,” Aguilera gushed. “You are the definition of ‘The Voice’ to me.” But alas, Linsey chose Pharrell as her coach.

The Louisiana native is no stranger to reality show competitions: Steel Magnolia got their start on season two of CMT’s Can You Duet?, which landed them a record deal and led to a Top Five hit in 2009 with “Keep on Loving You.”

Shortly after their debut album in early 2011, Linsey’s duo-mate/boyfriend Joshua Scott Jones entered rehab for drug and alcohol addiction and the couple broke up and Steel Magnolia disbanded. Currently, both are pursuing solo careers.

Check out Linsey’s audition here: