‘The Voice’ Mysterious Cowgirl Performance Wows Judges

Watch Georgia Starnes' Blind Audition on The Voice Season 26 | NBC Insider

For 13 years and 25 seasons, The Voice has given a platform to those hoping to break into the music industry. The season 26 Blind Auditions have already given viewers some memorable performances, including a teenage girl whom fans have dubbed a “mini Kelly Clarkson.” The third round of Blind Auditions aired Monday (Oct. 7), and one mysterious cowgirl had viewers (and coaches) buzzing.

‘The Voice’ Contestant Mesmerizes Viewers With Sam Smith Cover

Competition is heating up on season 26 of The Voice. A promo for Monday’s (Oct. 7) episode left fans wondering who was behind one seriously incredible performance.

We see the silhouette of a cowboy hat before a silky voice gives us the opening line to Sam Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbyes:” You must think that I’m stupid / You must think that I’m a fool / You must think that I’m new to this / But I have seen this all before.

The coaches are clearly impressed. Snoop Dogg appears close to tears as he bobs his head to the music. Reba McEntire turns to Gwen Stefani and says, simply, “Wow.”

Meet Georgia

Viewers learned tonight that the “mysterious cowgirl” was Georgia Starnes, a 22-year-old R&B artist born and raised in Grapevine, Texas.

“Getting all these coaches arrested if she doesn’t land a Four chair,” raved one YouTube user. “She checked all the boxes.”

Fortunately, there was no need for handcuffs. Starnes easily nabbed a four-chair turn, picking Team Snoop.

Fans Want Longer Promos

The Voice has always teased fans by publishing online sneak peeks of upcoming performances. It’s quite an effective marketing tool. However, the show’s editors have switched up their tactics this year. In previous seasons, viewers could preview full-length auditions before the episode even aired. This season, The Voice seems to favor keeping it mysterious, strategically editing shorter clips so that the artist’s identity is never revealed. And many fans are hungry for more.

“Looks like these shortened sneak peeks are the new normal,” commented one YouTube user, adding a sad face emoji.

Another user agreed, adding, “this is not a sneak peek. This is a sneak peek snippet they used to play the whole audition and then stop when they chose their coach. They should’ve stuck with that. I don’t like this at all.”