Riley Green Had Been Saving His Most Powerful Button All Season — A 15-Year-Old Singer Finally Gave Him A Reason To Use It.
29/09/2026
‘The Voice’ Season 30: Riley Green uses his First-In button to secure 15-year-old Allie Rae
Riley Green had been holding onto his First-In button throughout The Voice Season 30. On September 28, during the fourth episode of the Blind Auditions, he finally found the singer who made him use it.
That singer was 15-year-old Allie Rae, whose performance of Alannah Myles’ Black Velvet prompted Green to turn his chair almost immediately. Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah followed, setting up a three-coach battle for the young performer.
But by then, Green had already made his move.
Allie Rae makes an immediate impression
Episode 4 of The Voice Season 30 featured another round of Blind Auditions, with Queen Latifah, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Riley Green looking for singers to join their teams. The September 28 episode was the fourth installment of the Blind Auditions.
Allie Rae quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about contestants.
The 15-year-old took on Black Velvet, a song originally performed by Alannah Myles, and caught Green’s attention early in the performance. Green turned his chair first, followed by Clarkson and Latifah.
That first turn was crucial because Season 30 introduced the First-In button, a new feature that gives each coach one opportunity to automatically claim a contestant if they are the first coach to turn during a multi-chair audition. Once activated, the artist joins that coach’s team without going through the usual final decision process.
Green was the only coach who still had his First-In button available when Rae performed.
Kelly Clarkson saw familiar influences in Allie
Once the performance ended, Clarkson was quick to explain what had caught her attention.
She praised the variety in Rae’s voice, saying she heard shades of Dolly Parton in the singer’s vibrato as well as Alison Krauss. Clarkson also pointed to Rae’s ability to belt and move comfortably through different parts of her range.
Latifah was equally impressed by the young singer’s individuality.
“It just felt so natural to you, and I just had to see who was singing that song,” Latifah said.
Green focused on something slightly different. He admired Rae’s willingness to take a familiar song and make it her own.
“That’s what it takes to really stand out and I have no doubt you can do it,” he told her.
Clarkson was particularly eager to bring Rae onto her team. The American Idol winner pointed out that she and Rae share several musical influences, including Chris Stapleton and Aretha Franklin.
For a moment, Clarkson had a strong case to make.
Then Green reminded everyone that he had already turned first.
Riley Green presses the button and ends the competition
Green’s decision meant Clarkson and Latifah would not get the opportunity to persuade Rae to choose them. His First-In button automatically secured the teenager for Team Green.
It was a dramatic payoff for a button Green had been saving.
Green later explained why Rae was worth using his one opportunity.
“Allie Rae is extremely talented. She took a song and made it bluesy and country and Americana,” he said.
He also highlighted what he considered the most distinctive part of her performance: her individual style.
“She’s got a style that’s unique, and that’s one of my favorite things is when someone’s voice is doing something different.”
Other coverage of the episode similarly noted that Green was deliberately waiting for the right artist before using his advantage.
Allie Rae is thrilled to join Team Green
The outcome was especially meaningful for Rae, who later met Green backstage.
“I feel real special,” the teenager said. “I did not think he was going to steal me away from everybody. I’m very happy that Riley’s my coach.”
Green, meanwhile, was unapologetic about using the advantage and taking Rae away from Clarkson.
“It (pressing the buzzer) didn’t bother me at all,” he told Clarkson. “I just thought about all the mean, hurtful things you and Adam have said about me.”
The playful exchange added another layer to what had already been one of the episode’s biggest coaching battles.
Rae’s audition ultimately gave Green the final First-In Button opportunity of the season. The new feature has already played a significant role in the early Blind Auditions, with coaches using it to secure artists before their competitors can make a pitch.
More artists join the four teams
Rae was not the only contestant to find a team during the episode.
Team Green added Cade Mower and Everett Bounds alongside Rae. Team Levine welcomed Cal Cook, Julia Clark and Connor Closs. Team Clarkson picked up Saade and Anna McElroy, while Team Latifah added Chari, Sophia Liano and Bryan Jaymes.
Cade Mower was another notable addition to Green’s team after his performance of Zach Bryan’s Something in the Orange attracted the attention of all four coaches.
For Rae, however, the night came down to one decisive moment: Green hearing something different in her voice, turning his chair first and using the advantage he had been saving.
The Voice Season 30 continues with new episodes on NBC.
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