The Voice
The contestants on The Voice are about to get a double dose of female singer-songwriter power when it comes to this season’s guest coaches, with Sheryl Crow and LeAnn Rimes tapping in as Mega Mentors ahead of the fast-approaching playoff round. As announced Monday (April 14), the “If It Makes You Happy” singer will assist […]
Britton Moore stepped into unfamiliar territory during The Voice Season 27 Knockouts — and came out with a win.
The 21-year-old Texan, known for his pop-leaning vocals, embraced his country roots on Monday’s (April 7) episode with a soaring, heartfelt rendition of Zac Brown Band’s “Free,” drawing major praise from all four coaches.
Moore, who originally turned four chairs in the Blind Auditions with Coldplay’s “Yellow,” delivered a masterclass in control and tone, earning him the Knockout win over teammate Ari Camille.
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“There’s this youthful beauty and this clear gorgeous tone,” said coach Michael Bublé following Moore’s performance. John Legend added, “It was like pitch-perfect, but also you made some really great stylistic choices.”
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Coach Kelsea Ballerini was so impressed with his precision that she joked, “Every note is so crisp and perfect, it’s almost like you’re self-auto-tuned.” Legend jumped in with a laugh, calling Moore “God-o-tuned.”
Coach Adam Levine, who had to make the final call between Moore and Camille, didn’t hold back in his praise. “You just sing the living crap out of everything you sing,” he told Moore, ultimately declaring him the winner of the round.
In a feel-good twist, John Legend used his only steal of the round to keep Camille in the competition, bringing her back to his team for the Playoffs.
Moore’s Knockout performance marked his first time singing country on the show, despite growing up in Texas with a strong appreciation for the genre. His version of “Free,” originally released on The Foundation in 2008 by Zac Brown Band, stayed true to the original’s spirit while infusing his smooth vocals and gentle grit.
The young artist has impressed week after week this season. During the Battles, he delivered a haunting version of Radiohead’s “Creep,” with Bublé exclaiming, “You hit that top note!” and Legend calling his vocal power “stunning.”
It’s always a bold move to perform one of the coaches’ songs on The Voice, but Divighn was up for the challenge — and he excelled.
For the Knockout rounds, the 33-year-old California native opted to perform Maroon 5’s “Harder to Breathe” in front of Adam Levine himself. He added choreography and amplified emotion to the Songs About Jane breakout hit, all while maintaining impressive vocal control.
His competitor, Kaiya Hamilton, followed up with a performance of Alessia Cara’s “Here,” an objectively difficult song to sing due to its pace. Hamilton had no issue, though, displaying flawless vocal ability and range as she delivered the track.
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Both performances were met with standing ovations by the judges, and Levine voiced his support for Divighn’s choice to perform a Maroon 5 song. “Divighn, you got great taste in music, man,” he joked, before adding more seriously, “I always secretly dread when people are going to do our songs, because it makes me nervous. I’m so close to it. I love what you did with it. You took it and did something that I actually liked, and that it wasn’t what I normally do. The way that you can get up there and move the way you were moving, and still just deliver a rock solid big vocal, that’s big.”
He also praised Hamilton, noting, “I love how you sing. You kind of gave the opposite clinic. Your’s was like, ‘I’m not going to worry about anything except singing my butt off.’”
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Though, as perhaps expected, he ultimately gave his pick to Divighn. “I would maybe go with Divighn, because he has all these other things that were really impressive but it’s no disrespect to you Kaiya because you did an amazing job as well,” he said.
However, the choice on who stays in the competition comes down to the duo’s coach, Michael Bublé, who revealed that he “made a mistake” putting Divighn and Hamilton against each other. “Divighn, your performance, your choreography was beautiful and so smooth and so fun to watch. You’re an overall entertainer,” he told his team member. “Kaiya, your voice is undeniable. You sang the heck out of this and I feel like you know who are as an artist.”
Watch the Knockout round performance below, and find out who Bublé chooses when the full episode airs on Monday (April 7) at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, before it streams the next day on Peacock.
As the first person to ever win American Idol, Kelly Clarkson walked a lonely road for several years as other stars in the music industry had mixed feelings about her then-unorthodox route to success.
On the latest episode of Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast posted Thursday (March 27), the “Stronger” singer revealed that some of her now peers initially judged her for getting her start on Idol — something that wouldn’t be so ironic if some of those same stars didn’t end up serving as coaches on offshoot competition series The Voice. “I had no one,” Clarkson began. “I was the first winner. It was hard.”
“People were really mean,” she continued without naming names. “People that were really mean have been coaches. You know what I’m saying? Like, hated talent shows, and they ended up being on The Voice.”
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Clarkson won season one of American Idol in 2002, a victory that propelled her to a successful career in music marked by three Billboard Hot 100-topping hits and three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 so far. Ever since the flagship show premiered, numerous other competition series inspired by Idol have sprung up over the years — one of which, The Voice, saw Clarkson stepping into the coaching role for seasons 14-21 and 23.
But while televised talent shows are all the rage now, the three-time Grammy winner added that 20 years ago, “people were really cruel at first.”
“They didn’t like it,” she told Kelce. “It took the industry kind of by storm, the talent shows. It was a very unlikable thing in the industry concerning the populous. Now there’s so many.”
One advantage of starting out on Idol, however, was Clarkson’s ability to empathize with the contestants back when she was a coach on The Voice. The same applied to fellow coach Jennifer Hudson, who competed on Idol in 2004 before joining The Voice panel on seasons 13 and 15.
“People like us who have been there in that audition process, and just being so judged instantaneously, on maybe not your best performance but you know you can do better … it’s a grueling thing,” Clarkson said of herself and the Dream Girls star. “And it’s unforgiving in a lot of ways, and a lot of pressure for these artists that I don’t think a lot of artists that sell tons of records would be able to handle. It’s a different thing.”
Listen to Clarkson reflect on Idol critics on Not Gonna Lie below.
Conor James and Tinika Wyatt lit up The Voice stage with a powerhouse duet of the Bee Gees’ Billboard chart-topper “How Deep Is Your Love,” in a battle round that proved to be one of the most heartfelt and vocally impressive performances of the season.
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Representing Team Adam, the two artists blended harmonies, emotion and vocal control — and while Conor was ultimately chosen as the winner, Tinika wasn’t going anywhere.
John Legend said Tinika “lit up the stage” and questioned how she didn’t get any turns in the blinds. “You made a fantastic case for yourself staying on this show,” he told her. Michael Bublé called Conor’s vocal runs “perfectly executed,” and said he couldn’t choose between them.
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Coach Adam Levine admitted the decision was brutal, saying, “It’s just energy I want to be around. And so having to make this choice sucks particularly badly because I don’t want to be without either one of you guys.”
He praised Tinika’s growth in the competition, saying, “Tinika, you made a leap — from you were about to go home to me pressing my button for the replay to you getting into the battle rounds with arguably one of the best singers this season has to offer and 1,000% being right there with him, ’cause you are a world-class singer.”
Turning to Conor, Adam added, “The stuff you’re doing in your full voice without even hitting falsetto, it’s pretty astounding. And you somehow managed to make us all feel things. You could go all the way in this thing.”
Before making his choice, Adam summed it up with: “Tinika came in here and made my life hell, because it would be a loss not to have you. So I am in a horrible spot. And before I make this choice, I just want you both to know, from the bottom of my heart, you guys are both incredible. Incredible.”
Then came the moment everyone was hoping for — a steal.
As Tinika began to thank the coaches and prepare to leave the stage, Kelsea hit her button, stealing Tinika for her team. “With my steal, I just wanted to feel something,” she said. “Hearing her voice, I just knew, like, gut girl… Tinika adds a level of soul to Team Kelsea that I’m very excited about.”
Tinika now moves forward on Team Kelsea, while Conor remains on Team Adam — both proving they’re serious contenders this season.
Team Kelsea’s Alanna Lynise and Brook Wood turned The Voice stage into a spectacle with their rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Angels Like You.”
The two singers, who had formed a genuine bond, delivered a heartfelt performance that showcased their unique strengths, making for one of the most riveting battles of the season.
From the start, their chemistry was undeniable. Brook’s powerful, crystal-clear vocals seemed tailor-made for country star Kelsea Ballerini’s team, while Alanna’s airy, soulful delivery added an unexpected layer of depth to the performance. The result? A beautifully intertwined vocal moment that left the coaches struggling to pick a winner.
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Michael Bublé was immediately captivated. “You guys are so cute together,” he gushed before diving into his critique. “Alanna, I love your voice. I love that it’s breathy and airy and sweet. Brook, you have such a wonderful clarity, especially when it gets big.” Ultimately, though, he leaned toward Brook, declaring, “Today, I felt the battle was won by Brook.”
John Legend was equally conflicted, torn between Alanna’s mesmerizing tone and Brook’s undeniable stage presence. “Alanna, I truly, truly love your tone. It’s gorgeous and it’s really interesting. I want to hear it on a record. I thought you had some moments throughout that were pitchy, okay? But your voice is so cool,” he noted. “Brook, your voice is so powerful. I thought, in general, your performance was more, like, on point, though I do prefer Alanna’s tone a little bit more.” Even Legend admitted his feedback wasn’t much help, joking, “So, my God, that’s so unhelpful. None of this is helpful. I’m really sorry.”
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That left the decision to Ballerini, who was visibly torn. “Alanna, your voice — there’s so much nuance to it, and I feel like we were really able to see that in the verses, and, yes, there were pitch issues. That’s fine. It’s okay. It happens,” she said. “Brook, you’re just such a powerhouse. You are going to be an artist no matter what.”
In a shocking twist, Ballerini ultimately picked Alanna, leaving Brook eliminated. Even the other coaches seemed surprised by the decision, given Brook’s commanding performance. But Ballerini’s belief in Alanna’s artistic depth and emotional connection secured her a spot in the next round, proving that sometimes, raw artistry trumps pure vocal power.
The Voice season 27 turned up the heat Monday night (March 10) as the Battle Rounds began, pitting the Top 48 contestants against each other in unforgettable duets to secure their place in the Knockouts.
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Coaches Adam Levine, John Legend, Michael Bublé, and Kelsea Ballerini each paired their artists strategically, but it was Team Adam’s matchup between Fran Posla and Ethan Eckenroad that sparked one of the evening’s most memorable performances.
Performing Noah Cyrus’s emotional hit “July,” Posla and Eckenroad showcased distinctly different vocal strengths on the soulful track.
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Posla, who Levine encouraged to sing slightly sharp to maintain pitch—advice he insisted “makes sense” despite the initial confusion—captivated the audience immediately with her crisp tone and confident phrasing. Her cool, laid-back delivery earned her praise across the board, with Kelsea Ballerini enthusiastically describing Posla as the “ultimate cool girl,” jokingly adding, “I want to go drink a bourbon with you, and I don’t even drink bourbon, ’cause that scares me.”
Meanwhile, Ethan Eckenroad, who has spent considerable time away from his wife and infant daughter during the competition, brought a softer, emotionally charged vocal style that gained momentum throughout the performance.
While he initially struggled to find his footing, Eckenroad eventually won over the coaches with a soulful climax that highlighted his vocal warmth. Michael Bublé particularly praised Eckenroad’s voice as “soft and beautiful,” recognizing the hidden power beneath his gentle delivery.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Eckenroad from the start, as both Legend and Levine acknowledged he took some time to find his groove.
Legend noted that while Posla appeared effortlessly comfortable with Noah Cyrus’s track “July,” Eckenroad’s initial uncertainty was apparent. Ultimately, Adam surprised viewers with his decision, advancing Ethan Eckenroad to the Knockouts while eliminating Fran Posla, despite universal acclaim for her standout performance.
Levine appeared conflicted, reflecting openly: “Fran, you really did thrive singing this song. Ethan, it’s not that you didn’t thrive, because you did…but it took a little time.” Despite second-guessing the song choice, Levine placed his bets on Eckenroad’s growth potential moving forward.
The Voice Season 27 continues next week as coaches Legend, Levine, Bublé, and Ballerini guide their artists into the Knockout rounds, inching closer to crowning the next vocal star.
Kate Hudson and Adam Levine go way back! The Almost Famous star is set to join Season 27 of The Voice as a battle advisor for the Maroon 5 frontman, and the duo sat down for an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where Hudson revealed, “I’ve known Adam since high school!” Hudson attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences […]
The only thing scarier than performing a song by one of the coaches on The Voice to their faces is showing up for your Blind Audition round with an acoustic guitar and a tricky Taylor Swift song in your quiver. That didn’t stop 24-year-old Atlanta native Tori Templet from taking a runner on Swift’s 2019 ballad “Lover” on Monday night’s (March 3) show, where she earned quick chair-turns from Adam Levine and Michael Bublé and high praise from fellow judges Kelsea Ballerini and John Legend.
“I really like her tone,” Bublé said of Templet’s airy vocals as Ballerini swayed her head and Legend exhaled “whoo!” during the performance. It took less than a minute for Levine to punch his button, shortly followed by Bublé, who said “I gotta see her,” thumping his hands in rhythm as Ballerini responded “cool” to the singer’s final “my, my, my… lover” run.
Avowed Swiftie Ballerini gave Templet major props for making one of Taylor’s songs her own. “I feel like is one of the hardest feats,” she said. “And you have such a unique voice. I listened to that song differently and your voice made me do that. I will be your fan on this show.” Bublé praised Tori’s “beautiful… breathy…. sweet” voice, describing it as full of “dulcet, gorgeous tones. I just dig you,” the Great American Songbook interpreter said, adding that, selfishly, he’d like to hear he sing some jazz tunes by Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan.
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Legend also praised Templet’s unique tone, noticing that it almost has a whistle-like undertone to the full top note, getting super nerdy about the technical nature of her singing. “I was mesmerized by it. I thought it was super cool,” Legend said.
Levine went last, professing to be “blown away” by what he heard without seeing Templet, and then being even more intrigued when he saw her playing guitar as well. “I was like, ‘oh, great. Amazing, awesome. I play guitar too, it’s gonna be great.” Levine said. “The purity and simplicity in what you do is something that I think is really lacking.” He compared he voice to that of late Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan, Sunday’s vocalist Harriet Wheeler and Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval.
Excited that the Gen Z’er got his old school 1980s/90s references, Levine enthused, “that’s a lane that we get to have that gets to be ours.” It wasn’t all Christmas lights in January and giggling at dirty jokes, though, as Levine also pointed at a bum hight note that he said can easily be fixed, assuming she picked him.
Spoiler alert, after one more desperate plea from Bublé, Tori went with Team Adam.
Watch Templet’s performance below.
Jay Ammo, a 29-year-old singer from Clarksville, Tenn., earned the final four-chair turn of The Voice Season 27 after delivering an emotional performance of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team.”
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The Blind Auditions wrapped up with Ammo securing interest from all four coaches—John Legend, Adam Levine, Kelsea Ballerini, and Michael Bublé—before ultimately choosing Team Legend.
John Legend was the first to turn for Ammo’s performance, praising his vocal tone and delivery. “What a lovely voice you have. It was floating through the room. I was almost thinking you were from Africa because I could hear an Afrobeat kind of vibe. Is that the music you listen to?”
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Ammo, originally from Georgetown, Guyana, revealed that Sheeran’s song resonated deeply with him due to his time serving in the U.S. military in Afghanistan. “Yes, my calm-down song was yours.”
Legend replied, “We have a strong connection musically. Let’s just remember the musical connection that we have, and I would love to coach you.”
Levine, who has landed the most four-chair turns this season, described Ammo’s performance as “ethereal.” “You are very special and magical and singular in that nobody else in this competition is doing that. It gives you this really unique window, which is what this is all about.”
Ballerini also made a strong case for Ammo to join her team, calling him a “creative force.” “You kept the integrity of that song, but you also kept just the right amount of you in it, and that’s artistry.”
The country star was surprised when Ammo revealed he had previously covered her song “Better Luck Next Time.” “Did you now? I didn’t expect that. Now I feel taller and more powerful.”
Bublé, the last to turn, acknowledged some early pitch issues but praised Ammo’s ability to recover. “The second those other chairs turned, your pitch issues subsided. You have a beautiful tone, and you tell a story really well.”
When it came time to make his decision, Ammo selected Team Legend. “Jay’s voice is so cool. He has this kind of lilt to his voice. I really think that Jay has got an interesting musical tableau that he’s working with. We’re going to have a lot of fun picking songs together.”
With the Blind Auditions now complete, The Voice Season 27 will move into the Battle Rounds, where Ammo will compete for a spot in the Knockouts.