Jessica Manalo mesmerizes in ‘The Voice USA’ blind auditions | Image: Instagram/@jesssicamanalo

Two months after Sofronio Vasquez’s “The Voice USA” historic win, another Filipino singer Jessica Manalo is trying her luck at the competition, making two coaches turn their seats during this season’s blind auditions.

Over the weekend, NBC uploaded Manalo’s performance of “Unholy” by Sam Smith as she mesmerized coaches Michael Bublé and Kelsea Ballerini, who turned their seats for her.
 

Bublé was Vasquez’s coach when he won as grand champion of season 26 in December of last year. The latter made history as the first male Asian and Filipino winner of the international singing competition.

Manalo’s blind auditions’ episode was left on a cliff hanger as she grappled which coach to choose between Bublé and Ballerini, who tried to win her over by bribing her with their respective team’s jacket and custom cowboy boots.

On the other hand, despite not spinning their seats for the Las Vegas based Filipino singer, coaches John Legend and Adam Levine lauded Manalo’s performance.

“Cool take. Your vocal performance was strong. You really did make it your own,” commented Legend.

“In the beginning, you couldn’t find your bearings a little bit but what I love about your voice it got really strong, especially in your high register… You were great. Welcome to the show,” added Levine.

“The Voice USA” did not air the part where Manalo choses who would be her coach, and it’s expected that it would be announced in the next episode on Tuesday night (Philippine time).
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After her audition went viral with almost half a million views, Manalo took to Instagram to express her gratitude for the support as she invited everyone to watch the next episode where she will reveal her chosen coach.

“Where do I begin? The last 24 hours have been overwhelming. My heart is full and I am in shock from the love and support from so many near and far. My episode has not even officially aired and @nbcthevoice sneakpeaked my blind audition for all to see! BUT who do I choose?? You’ll have to see for yourself! Keep watching every Monday tune into [@nbc],” she wrote.

In the comments section, Vasquez expressed his pride by simply writing, “PILIPINAS [salute and Philippine flag emojis].’”