The moment Stee began singing “Sugar” by Maroon 5 on The Voice Season 24, it was clear that he had not come to the competition simply to test the waters. His smooth vocals, confident stage presence, and effortless falsetto quickly caught the coaches’ attention. Before the performance was over, all four chairs had turned.
A four-chair turn is one of the strongest possible starts a contestant can have on The Voice, but Stee’s journey was never defined by a single audition. From joining Team Legend to surviving a difficult Knockout and earning a second chance with Team Gwen, he continued to show different sides of himself in every round.
Known professionally as Stee, Sterlin “Stee” Colvin Jr. brought years of live-performance experience to the stage. His run included pop, Latin pop, R&B, and dance-rock songs, allowing viewers to see that he was more than a technically skilled singer. He was also an experienced entertainer who knew how to connect with a room.
Stee’s Journey from Blind Auditions to the Top 20
Stee’s journey from Blind Auditions to the Top 20 began with one of the most memorable auditions of The Voice Season 24. His performance of “Sugar” earned a four-chair turn and gave him the freedom to choose between John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Niall Horan.
He eventually selected John Legend as his coach, beginning his time on Team Legend. Stee then faced Willie Gomez in the Battles, where the pair performed “Tacones Rojos.” John chose Stee as the winner, sending him to the Knockout Round.
His performance of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings” became another important moment in the competition. Although John selected Lila Forde to advance from the three-way Knockout, Stee’s journey did not end there. Gwen Stefani used her Steal, bringing him onto Team Gwen and giving him another opportunity to compete.
Stee later performed “Shut Up and Dance” during the Playoffs. While Gwen ultimately advanced other members of her team, Stee had already built a strong body of performances and reached a stage of the competition few singers experience.
Who Is Stee Colvin?
Sterlin “Stee” Colvin Jr. is a professional singer and entertainer associated with Bluffton, South Carolina. Long before audiences discovered Stee on The Voice, music had already played a major role in his life.
He grew up around performers and developed an understanding of live music from an early age. That background helped shape the relaxed confidence viewers saw during his Stee Blind Audition. Instead of appearing overwhelmed by the size of the stage, he performed as though he already understood how to hold an audience’s attention.
Before joining The Voice Season 24, Stee had experience performing with Stee and the Ear Candy Band. Working regularly with a live band helped him build several skills that became useful in the competition, including vocal control, crowd interaction, timing, movement, and the ability to adjust to different musical styles.
Although R&B and soul appeared to be natural strengths for him, his performances showed that he was also comfortable singing upbeat pop songs. That versatility became one of the defining features of the Stee The Voice journey.
Stee’s Blind Audition on The Voice Season 24
Why “Sugar” Was the Right Song for Stee
For his Blind Audition, Stee chose “Sugar” by Maroon 5. It was a smart selection because the song gave him room to show more than one vocal quality.
The verses allowed him to establish his tone and rhythm, while the chorus highlighted his upper range and falsetto. The track also matched his energetic personality, giving him opportunities to move around the stage and perform rather than simply stand in one place.
Familiar songs can be challenging during televised singing competitions. Coaches and viewers already know what the original version sounds like, which means contestants must find a way to make the performance feel personal without changing the song beyond recognition.
Stee managed that balance well. His rendition of “Sugar” remained recognizable, but his vocal choices gave it a smooth R&B flavor that suited his identity.
A Four-Chair Turn Changes Everything
John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Niall Horan all turned their chairs for Stee. The four-chair turn immediately established him as one of the season’s most promising contestants.
The audition also included a strategic move from John Legend, who used his Block against Niall Horan. By preventing Niall from recruiting Stee, John made it clear that he saw something valuable in the singer and wanted a better chance of bringing him onto Team Legend.
Stee’s decision to choose John also carried personal meaning. He spoke about his late cousin’s admiration for John Legend, giving the moment an emotional connection that went beyond competition strategy.
With his choice made, Stee officially became a member of Team Legend.
Joining Team Legend
John Legend was a natural coaching match for Stee. Both understood the importance of vocal phrasing, musical control, and emotional delivery, especially within R&B and soul music.
However, being on Team Legend did not mean Stee would only sing songs that fit comfortably within his usual style. To move forward, he needed to show that he could adapt to new material and remain memorable when sharing the stage with another strong singer.
A four-chair turn may create high expectations, but it does not provide any protection in later rounds. Stee still had to prove himself in the Battles, where one performance could determine whether he stayed in the competition.
Stee and Willie Gomez Perform “Tacones Rojos”
A Battle Built Around Rhythm and Chemistry
John Legend paired Stee with Willie Gomez for a performance of “Tacones Rojos,” the popular Sebastián Yatra song that also has a version featuring John himself.
The pairing created an interesting challenge. Stee and Willie both had natural charisma, so the Battle was not simply about determining who could sing the loudest or hit the highest note. They needed to create a believable duet while still giving John a reason to choose one performer over the other.
“Tacones Rojos” demanded rhythm, movement, and personality. The bilingual nature of the song also required the performers to stay comfortable and connected throughout the arrangement.
Stee approached the number like an experienced live entertainer. He interacted naturally with Willie, moved confidently across the stage, and maintained control of his vocals even while performing an energetic routine.
Why Stee Won the Battle
John Legend chose Stee as the winner, allowing him to continue to the Knockouts.
Several qualities helped Stee stand out during the performance:
- His vocals remained controlled while he moved around the stage.
- He showed natural chemistry with Willie instead of treating the duet like a vocal fight.
- His experience as a live performer made the performance feel polished.
- He brought an upbeat personality that matched the spirit of the song.
- He remained distinctive without overpowering his Battle partner.
The performance also expanded the audience’s understanding of Stee. His Blind Audition had introduced his falsetto and pop-R&B sound, while “Tacones Rojos” showed that he could handle bilingual, rhythm-focused material with confidence.
“Pretty Wings” Became a Turning Point
Stee Returns to His R&B Roots
For the Knockout Round, Stee performed “Pretty Wings” by Maxwell. The song brought him closer to the soulful style many viewers associated with his voice.
Unlike “Sugar” and “Tacones Rojos,” “Pretty Wings” did not rely heavily on movement or playful stage interaction. It placed more attention on vocal tone, emotional control, phrasing, and range.
That shift allowed Stee to show a more vulnerable side of his artistry. Maxwell’s music requires patience and restraint. Oversinging can easily take away from the emotion, while an overly cautious performance can make the song feel flat.
Stee used his falsetto and smooth transitions to create a performance that felt connected to his musical identity. It reminded viewers that beneath his energetic stage personality was a singer with a genuine understanding of contemporary R&B.
The Knockout Result and Gwen Stefani’s Steal
Stee competed in a three-way Knockout against Lila Forde and Deejay Young. Each contestant brought a very different sound, making John Legend’s decision especially difficult.
John ultimately selected Lila Forde as the winner. For a brief moment, it appeared that Stee’s time on The Voice had come to an end.
Gwen Stefani, however, had other plans.
She used her Steal to bring Stee onto Team Gwen. The decision felt like a continuation of their Blind Audition story, as Gwen had already shown interest in coaching him when all four chairs turned.
The Steal gave Stee a second chance, but it also asked him to adjust quickly. He was leaving one coach’s musical direction and joining another team at a crucial stage of the competition.
From Team Legend to Team Gwen
Moving from Team Legend to Team Gwen gave Stee an opportunity to explore another part of his performance style.
John Legend’s coaching naturally emphasized vocal precision, soulful delivery, and musical detail. Gwen Stefani appeared especially interested in Stee’s personality, stage confidence, and ability to entertain an audience.
That made Team Gwen an intriguing fit. Stee was not only an R&B vocalist; he was also a working performer who understood upbeat songs, audience engagement, and visual presentation.
Being stolen can be emotionally complicated for a contestant. It follows a loss, but it also shows that another coach strongly believes the artist deserves to continue.
Stee responded to the change with professionalism. Rather than allowing the Knockout result to define him, he accepted the opportunity and prepared for the Playoffs.
Stee’s “Shut Up and Dance” Playoffs Performance
Showing a Different Side of His Voice
During The Voice Playoffs, Stee performed “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
The song was very different from “Pretty Wings.” Instead of focusing mainly on smooth R&B phrasing and emotional storytelling, it required constant energy, movement, and crowd connection.
For Stee, the performance made sense in several ways. It matched his background as a live entertainer and allowed him to show that he could command a large stage. He looked comfortable with the song’s fast pace and leaned into its lively, celebratory mood.
At the same time, the choice placed less emphasis on the vocal qualities that had made his Blind Audition and Knockout performances so memorable. In a Playoff round filled with distinct singers, every song choice carried extra weight.
Why Stee’s Run Ended in the Playoffs
Gwen Stefani had a limited number of spots available for the next stage. After hearing all of her artists perform, she chose BIAS, Tanner Massey, and Kara Tenae to move forward.
That decision ended Stee’s competitive run on the show.
It would be too simple to blame one song or one performance for the result. Coaches consider many factors during the Playoffs, including vocal identity, growth, team balance, performance consistency, and how each artist might connect with viewers in future rounds.
Although Stee did not advance, his Playoffs appearance completed a journey that included a four-chair turn, a Battle victory, a three-way Knockout, a coach Steal, and performances on two different teams.
Every Song Stee Performed on The Voice
Stee’s song choices covered a wide range of genres and performance styles:
- Blind Audition — “Sugar” by Maroon 5: Stee earned a four-chair turn and selected Team Legend.
- Battle Round — “Tacones Rojos” with Willie Gomez: John Legend chose Stee as the Battle winner.
- Knockout Round — “Pretty Wings” by Maxwell: John selected Lila Forde, but Gwen Stefani stole Stee.
- Playoffs — “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon: Stee performed as a member of Team Gwen before leaving the competition.
Together, the Stee The Voice performances showed impressive range. He moved from pop and Latin pop to contemporary R&B and dance-rock without appearing uncomfortable onstage.
That variety also reflected the kind of performer he had already become before joining the show. Stee was used to reading a room, adjusting his energy, and delivering songs designed for different audiences.
What Made Stee Stand Out on The Voice
Stee entered the competition with experience, but experience alone does not guarantee success on The Voice. Contestants must also adapt quickly, respond to coaching, handle unexpected results, and make an impression within a few minutes.
Several qualities helped Stee remain memorable throughout Season 24:
- A smooth and expressive falsetto
- Strong control across different musical styles
- Confidence developed through years of live performance
- Natural chemistry with other singers
- A warm and approachable stage personality
- The ability to combine singing with movement
- Professionalism after changing coaches
- A willingness to perform outside traditional R&B
His strongest performances did not all sound the same. “Sugar” introduced a polished pop-R&B singer, “Tacones Rojos” highlighted his rhythm and personality, and “Pretty Wings” brought his soulful vocal identity to the front.
That ability to shift between styles helped him advance through several demanding stages of the competition.
How The Voice Expanded Stee’s Musical Story
Before The Voice Season 24, Stee had already built a career as a professional musician and live performer. The show did not create his talent or stage presence, but it introduced those qualities to a much larger audience.
Millions of viewers had the opportunity to hear Stee sing, learn about his background, and watch him respond to both victories and setbacks. His time with Team Legend and Team Gwen also showed that two very different coaches saw potential in his voice.
For listeners discovering him through the show, his journey offered several entry points into his artistry. Fans of contemporary R&B could connect with “Pretty Wings,” while viewers who preferred energetic pop performances could enjoy “Sugar,” “Tacones Rojos,” and “Shut Up and Dance.”
Stee’s journey from Blind Auditions to the Top 20 became more than a record of how far he advanced. It showed the range of an artist who had spent years developing his craft before stepping onto national television—and who left the competition with a broader audience ready to follow what he did next.