“Voice” Hopeful Earns Last-Second Chair Turn For “Better Man” Cover
on Mar 12, 2024
Voice Singer Zoe Levert Auditions With Taylor Swift’s Version Of “Better Man”
20-year-old Zoe Levert hoped to earn a spot on Season 25 of The Voice with her cover of “Better Man.” It’s a song that country fans, and country artists like Voice coaches Dan + Shay and Reba McEntire, know well.
Taylor Swift served as the sole songwriter behind “Better Man.” But instead of releasing the song herself, she offered it to country group Little Big Town.
Swift felt like the quartet’s harmonies would take the song to a whole different level. Little Big Town loved it, and released their recording in 2016.
Little Big Town took “Better Man” to the #1 spot on both of Billboard‘s country charts. The song also crossed over to claim the 34th spot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
“Better Man” was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA in October 2022. Additionally, Little Big Town won the Best Country Duo/Group Performance Grammy for their recording.
Swift performed “Better Man” live a few times over the years. She finally released her version of the song in 2021. Titled “Better Man (Taylor’s Version),” her rendition appeared on the re-recording of her album Red. Her recording reached the 13th spot on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Which Voice Coach Turned Their Chair For Zoe Levert’s Audition?
When Zoe Levert auditioned for Seaosn 25 of The Voice, she performed Swift’s version of “Better Man.” For awhile, it looked like the young singer from New Orleans wasn’t going to get any of their coaches to turn their chairs.
But at the absolute last second, one of the coaches flipped their chair around for her performance. Who was it?
John Legend!
Levert was thrilled to have a place on The Voice. She was also thrilled to get the chance to speak to Dan + Shay, whose music she loves. She told the duo she and her fiancé (who was backstage) planned to share their first dance as husband and wife to their song “From the Ground Up.”
In a sweet moment, Dan + Shay hopped onstage to serenade the couple while they shared a dance. After that, Legend joked:
“It’s abundantly clear if you had a choice to pick Dan + Shay you would have picked them.“
But Levert said she was happy to have a home on Team Legend. He seemed equally glad to have her on his team, as he praised her higher range and “clear” tone.
Later, Legend explained his hesitation to turn, saying Levert was a little shaky at the start of the performance. But “once she kicked it into high gear,” he knew he needed to turn his chair.
Watch Levert’s Voice performance of “Better Man” in the video below. We wish her the best of luck!
