If you happened to catch last night’s episode of NBC’s The Voice, a popular singing competition show, you probably saw Vaughn Mugol, a registered nurse, perform an outstanding rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.” It was easily one of the best performances of the night, based on the feedback he got from the judges/coaches.
A Compelling Blind Audition
If you’ve never watched The Voice before, all you need to know is that new singers perform for four established talents in the music industry, including John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, and Blake Shelton. The judges/coaches push a button if they like the performance, which means they get to turn around and see the person perform live. At the end of the performance, the judges discuss what was working and how the singer can improve.
It was Mugol’s first time performing on the show. During his blind audition, three out of the four judges pushed their buttons, including everyone but Shelton. Everyone had encouraging comments for Mugol, who revealed he’s a registered nurse from the Houston, TX area.
When John Legend asked him what his touring schedule was like, Mugol responded with, “I usually just sing for my patients.”
Pop star Ariana Grande gave the young singer a few notes. “I love the little break in your voice [and] I love the fuller parts of your voice,” she said. Mugol admitted that he was a little nervous.
But Grande was still impressed. “Well, you really held it together,” she added. “There was really only one tiny spot where I could hear it. I would love to work with you on perfecting those moments.”
“I know that I’m new here and you guys don’t know me as a coach yet, but I want to guide you in this competition,” Grande added. “I want to help you sing the right songs. I want to answer any questions that you have regarding my experiences and help you get to where you want to go as an artist … I want to help you win this thing and then have a career.”
Clarkson referred to Mugol as an “emotional signer” while Legend told him they have a lot in common.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about Mugol, but that will likely change in the months to come, assuming he makes it further along in the competition.
He is Filipino-American and holds dual nationality. He regularly travels and has explored much of the world. He’s also a proud wearer of Cherokee Scrubs, including the company’s signature Workwear collection.
We’re so excited to see one of our own on one of America’s favorite reality programs. You can follow him on Instagram as he continues his journey on The Voice.