NBC revealed the final 20 team contestants for its hit singing competition "The Voice" on Wednesday. The newly announced contestants join 12 others who were previously announced.
Through the course of the season, the 32 contestants will be whittled down to four finalists -- one each for the show's music coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
The season champion will receive $100,000 and a recording contract from Universal Music Group.
Also read: "Mark Burnett: 'The Voice' Will Be No Joke"
"The Voice" itself has already proven to be a winner with audiences, landing the top ratings spot for the second week in a row on Tuesday following its April 26 premiere.
Read NBC's full press release below.
NBC REVEALS FINAL 20 OF 32 SELECTED TEAM CONTESTANTS WHO WILL COMPETE IN ‘THE VOICE,’ NEW HIT VOCAL COMPETITION SERIES
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 4, 2011 – NBC named the final 20 of its 32 selected team contestants who will move onto the next round of the new vocal competition series “The Voice” featuring its four musician coaches -- Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
Much like today’s music stars, the artists/contestants are encouraged to interact with viewers via social media to build a fan base. The fans will have an important role in the live performance shows, as they will have the opportunity to vote to save their favorites on each coach’s team.
In the finals, each coach will have one artist/contestant left to represent them and that artist’s fate will be in the viewer’s hands. One of the four finalists will be named “The Voice" -- and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract with Universal Music Group and $100,000.
The full list of 32 contestants (including the first 12 named last week) can be found on www.nbc.com/the-voice .
The last 20 team contestants – and their assigned musician coaches, home towns, music style (if applicable) and Twitter handles on NBC.com – follow:
TEAM CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Cherie Oakley, Evansville, Ind., country, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/cherie-oakley/
Julia Eason, Palos Verdes, Calif., pop, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/julia-eason/
Justin Grennan, Enumclaw, Wash., R&B, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/justin-grennan
Raquel Castro, Long Island, N.Y., pop, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/raquel-castro/
Lily Elise, San Anselmo, Calif., R&B/pop, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/lily-elise/
TEAM CEE LO GREEN
Curtis Grimes, Gilmer, Texas, country, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/curtis-grimes/
Emily Valentine, Los Angeles, Calif., rock, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/emily-valentine/
Nakia, Austin, Texas, blues, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/nakia/
Niki Dawson, Jacksonville, Fla., pop, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/niki-dawson/
Tori & Taylor Thompson, Santa Maria, Calif., country, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/tori-and-taylor/
TEAM ADAM LEVINE
Angela Wolff, Nashville, Tenn., rock, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/angela-wolff/
Casey Desmond, Weymouth, Mass., glam rock, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/casey-desmond/
Casey Weston, Naples, Fla., country, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/casey-weston/
Devon Barley, Mattapoisett, Mass.,
