Riley Green Finds the Country Artist He ‘Needed’ on His ‘The Voice’ Team

Riley Green did not have to fight the other coaches for Caroline Alexis — but that did not make the 25-year-old Alabama singer any less important to his plans for The Voice.

When Season 30 premiered on Monday, September 21, Green made his debut as a coach alongside fellow newcomer Queen Latifah and returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine. By the end of the night, he had already built a team featuring several country performers, including 19-year-old Joe Henley, sisters Ferryn and Brinkley Wright, and Alexis.

Alexis, who is from Ozark, Alabama, auditioned with Rascal Flatts’ “Take Me There,” the trio’s No. 1 country hit released in 2007.

The performance ultimately earned her a place on Team Riley after Green became the only coach to turn his chair.

Riley Green Turns for Caroline Alexis

Alexis’ audition initially had several coaches considering a turn.

Adam Levine appeared close to pressing his button, but ultimately held back. Green, however, decided he had heard enough and turned his chair as the performance unfolded.

Because none of the other coaches followed, Alexis automatically became a member of Team Riley.

Other coverage of the premiere noted that Alexis’ country sound and Alabama roots made the pairing feel particularly natural.

Once Alexis introduced herself, Clarkson explained why she had chosen not to turn.

She admitted that after Green turned around, she knew she would not have much of a chance against him for an Alabama country singer.

“I’m so glad I saved myself the embarrassment,” Clarkson joked.

Green, meanwhile, was clearly delighted to discover that Alexis was from his home state.

“I love your tone, I love the song choice, I love the way you performed it,” he told her.

A Country Singer Who Is Also Studying for the Bar

There was another surprise when Alexis explained what she does away from music.

Unlike many contestants competing for a record deal, she is not currently pursuing singing as a full-time career. Alexis had recently graduated from law school and told the coaches that she had been using her downtime to study for the bar exam.

Green immediately found a way to connect with her.

“We’re a lot alike, I go to the bar in my downtime too,” he joked.

The exchange added a lighter moment to an audition that had already given Green another country artist from Alabama for his growing team.

Green Says Alexis ‘Needed’ to Be on His Team

After securing Alexis, Green welcomed her with a pair of customized “Team Riley” Carhartt overalls.

“Well, Caroline, I’m super excited to have you on ‘The Voice’ and on my team,” he told her.

The coach later explained in a behind-the-scenes interview that he was relieved he had not needed to compete with the other coaches to land her.

More importantly, Green made clear that Alexis was exactly the kind of artist he wanted on his roster.

“She’s somebody that needed to be on my team,” he said.

Alexis’ addition helped Green finish the first night of Blind Auditions with three artists on his team, alongside Joe Henley and Ferryn and Brinkley.

For Green, his first night as a Voice coach was already producing the kind of country-focused team he had hoped to build. And with Alexis bringing both a country sound and an Alabama connection, the newest coach had another artist he clearly believed belonged in his corner.