The Voice
Page: 17
Blake Shelton gave his Voice contestants a tough battle on Monday night (Oct. 24), as Hillary Torchiana and Kevin Hawkins went head-to-head on fellow coach John Legend‘s 2019 hit, “Preach.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The duo traded impressive belts and notes as they performed the track, leading to a standing ovation from Legend himself. “I love it. Thank you for singing my song. I felt your passion, I felt your love,” he told the contestants, before ultimately picking Hawkins as his personal pick to win the battle.
But the decision came down to Coach Shelton, who was visibly stuck on having to choose between two incredibly talented singers. “Well, my first thought is these guys did an incredible job of sticking to the plan and representing the song and giving it what it needed,” he said, noting that Hillary had a “tall glass to go up against” Kevin.
“I mean, he’s unbelievable, but so are you,” Shelton said. “I’m completely shocked at the way you stepped up to the plate. You took all my notes, you walked up here and gave it, I feel like, 100% of what you had to give it. Kevin, you also gave 100% of what you had to give for this performance. Even though that was 100%, I still don’t think we’ve seen your full potential. And, man, that’s saying a lot because that was obviously an incredible performance.”
Shelton ultimately ended up picking Hawkins, to help him live up to his full musical potential. Watch the full performance below.
There are harmonies, and there’s the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love”.
The brothers Gibb put on a masterclass for their Saturday Night Fever ballad, a hit that logged three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart back in 1977.
The track has lost none of it’s luster, though tackle it at your peril.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
On Tuesday night’s (Oct. 18) episode of The Voice, Parijita Bastola and the Marilynds did just that with a Bee Gees “Battle.”
Coached by John Legend, both acts hit their smooth targets, creating a difficult choice for their mentor.
“I’ve worked with some duos on this show,” says Blake Shelton of Kasey and Lindsay Marilynd, and there’s always one person that’s a little ahead of the other.” Not this time. “It’s just so locked in together.”
Bastola, the 17-year-old Nepalese-American hopeful, impressed the country star with her “unique” and “powerful” voice.
Camila Cabello likened the Marilynds’ harmonies to “dripping a vanilla candle into my ear,” but the teen, with her vocal mastery at such a young age, is at another level. “It seems effortless and you have such a gorgeous voice.”
Legend had a decision to make. The Marilynds, the pop-country duo, both from Maryland, “you all just leaned into those harmonies,” he says. “It was flawless. The quality of your execution today, it was just really, really strong.”
Bastola, however, is a step ahead. “There’s something where you just feel like you’re connected to who you are. And it’s just amazing that that amount of self-awareness, self-knowledge, self-possession is coming from someone so young. And your voice is just phenomenal. It feels so inviting.”
It was a hard decision, so hard that Legend went with Bastola, and used his only “Save” on the Marilynds, keeping them all in the family – and the competition. Everyone wins.
Watch below.
The Voice‘s season 22 lineup continues to be whittled down during the Battle Rounds, which saw contestants Cara Brindisi and Jay Allen going head to head on Monday night’s (Oct. 17) episode for a spot on coach Gwen Stefani‘s team. The two performed a stunning duet of Stevie Nicks and Don Henley‘s 1981 track, “Leather and Lace.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
After Brindisi and Allen took turns singing pairs of lines from the song — which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 — the duo employed a fitting country twang for the track that soared as the chorus rolled around.
“Lovers forever, face to face/ My city, your mountains/ Stay with me, stay/ I need you to love me, I need you today/ Give to me your leather/ Take from me my lace,” the pair harmonized, with Brindisi going for a softer tone and Allen opting for a stronger belt.
John Legend started off the commentary. “Cara, you were like so perfect. I love when you were whispering. I love when you were belted a little bit more and it just relaxed me,” he said. “Jay, the power of your voice, the raspiness … it was just a little more compelling to me, so I pick Jay.”
Blake Shelton also agreed with Legend’s reasoning, and brought in his country expertise into this critique. “I feel like Jay has the more Stevie Nicks approach to his vocal, and you definitely stepped into that role. And man, it sounded good,” he said, adding that he picked Jay as the winner of the battle.
Stefani then stepped up to the plate to give a decision on who to keep for her team. “One of the things that Jay needed to work on, his voice is so powerful that it was coming out too much, and I’m so proud of you because you took the advice and went to another level. Cara, your voice is so soothing and there’s a confidence that has to come with that,” she told the pair and noted that her decision was a difficult one before ultimately picking Brindisi to keep.
After extending a gracious thank you to the coaches, Allen headed off stage thinking he was headed back to Nashville, but was later saved by Stefani in a split-second decision. “Well, honestly that was such a hard one for me and it was so confusing because I knew I wanted to save Jay,” she said, before Shelton slammed down his buzzer and cut in with, “What if somebody wanted to steal Jay?”
Citing his near 10-year stint in Nashville, his love of country music and Shelton’s status in the genre, Allen switched over to the country star’s team.
Watch Cara Brindisi and Jay Allen’s Voice battle below.
The gloves are off, the Battles round is upon us on NBC’s The Voice, and the remaining contestants are wearing their big boy/girl pants. It’s no time for a slip-up.
On Monday night (Oct. 17), Grace Bello went head-to-head with Reina Ley for a performance of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” a timeless gem that went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Ley, a thirteen-year-old hopeful from San Tan Valley, Arizona, is a member of Team Camila Cabello, catching the Cuba-born pop star’s attention in the Blind Auditions with a mariachi song, “Cielito Lindo”.
Bello, a 21-year-old who raised in Cibolo, Texas, and now based in Lacey, Washington, announced herself on the talent show with an audition of Justin Bieber’s “Ghost,” a performance that was rewarded with a four-chair turn and a spot on Team Cabello.
With the lights a little brighter in the Battles, and the pressure ratcheted up a notch, it was Ley who impressed.
“Reina, your voice is unbelievable,” Gwen Stefani enthuses. “I was shocked. Your tone is so warm and deep and rich, and I could feel you, that you understood what the lyric was doing and saying.”
John Legend remarked on how “secure” and “confident” she was in the melody and the moment. “I was really impressed.”
Blake Shelton cut to the chase. “I wish you could get in your head how super-talented you are,” the country star says. “I just felt like you’ve lost some confidence at some point between the Blind Auditions and right now. You seem scared up there, which, by the way, is ridiculous because you’re so good.”
Whereas Reina, he continues, “she’s 13 and she doesn’t even realize how much pressure this should be… She just came out here and did her thing and owned it and because of that your voice just came through stronger.”
The pressure then fell on Cabello, who had a decision to make. “This is just a sucky situation because I have two really talented people,” she remarks. “I don’t think one was better than the other. If I had a ‘Save,’ neither of you would be going home.”
Just before the axe fell, she added, “I hate this so much. This is the most terrible I’ve felt literally in all of these Battles.”
There could be only one winner, and that was Ley.
Watch below.
https://www.billboard.com/artist/cyndi-lauper/
Earlier this week, Blake Shelton revealed that after the next season of The Voice, he will be leaving the show. Now, fellow coach John Legend is opening up about the country superstar’s exit and his own future on the show.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“Well, you know, he’s been doing the show for 22 seasons, it’ll be 23 when he’s done, and you can’t do something forever,” Legend told ET. “We’re gonna miss him though. He’s been the heart and soul and anchor of the show for a long time, and he’s a friend of mine, and I really enjoy working with him.”
He added that “we’re all going to miss him.”
Legend is also not returning next season, as he’s set to tour in support of his newest album Legend and will soon be a father of three. “My family’s growing, I have a new album out, I’m gonna do a little bit of touring, and so it’s probably better that I take a break,” he explained. “We took a break last season because we had another show in our slot that the network tried — and I thought that was gonna happen this season, but it ended up that they wanted us back…but I’ll be back on The Voice, just not this coming season.”
Shelton took to Twitter on Tuesday (Oct. 11) to announce his The Voice exit after season 23. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me,” Shelton wrote in a statement. “It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people, you are the best. It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.”
He continued, “I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!”
NBC revealed its coaches for season 23, which includes Shelton and The Voice veteran Kelly Clarkson. Newcomers Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper will also join the judges panel.
The best battles on The Voice are more like well-orchestrated duets than knock-down, drag-out fights, and in the face-off between bodie and Jaeden Luke — premiering exclusively on Billboard below before airing in full Monday night — the duo are in perfect harmony.
The battle reimagines Justin Bieber‘s decade-old song “As Long as You Love Me,” featuring Big Sean, as an acoustic, lovelorn duet, leaving the 2012 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit’s synth and hip-hop elements behind.
Both bodie and Luke are on Team Blake, and this battle will determine who moves forward in the competition. But there is a world where both men could advance, if one of the other three coaches (Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani or John Legend) decide to steal a singer for their team.
It looks like the guys’ best chance will be Cabello, who admitted to getting pretty “hot and flustered” by the track’s “sexy arrangement.”
“Well, it is my team,” Blake Shelton quipped in response.
Cabello had kind things to say about both singers — especially Jaeden, whom she jokingly called “my boyfriend” after they had a flirtatious meeting during his blind audition. “Jaeden, your tone is so beautiful. I want to hear it in my ear,” she said, quickly adding: “I’m just kidding. I’m joking. That was a joke. I want to hear it on a record. I think you as an artist, as the whole package, is special.”
For Bodie, Cabello said, “You were even better than I remember in your blind. Your runs were crazy, then your belts were masterful. You were flawless.”
She also let it be known that she would “steal both of you,” regardless of who Shelton chooses.
So who will he choose? You’ll have to tune in to NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night to find out, but you can watch the full performance and coaches’ comments below:
The Voice contestant Nolan Neal died due to a fatal overdose involving fentanyl, according to a spokesperson from the Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office.
The late singer, who was vocal about his struggle with substance abuse, was pronounced dead at age 41 after being found in his apartment on July 18.
A spokesperson told Page Six that the singer suffered “acute combined drug toxicity.” In addition to fentanyl, morphine, methamphetamine and acetyl fentanyl were also present in Neal’s bloodstream, according to his autopsy report.
The member of the rock band Hinder shared that he relapsed after joining, citing his own internal pressures to fit in with the members. The singer also revealed he was battling substance abuse during his time on The Voice in an interview with WBIR in 2020. “I remember I got clean in 2010; May 15, went to rehab. Stayed clean,” Neal told WBIR in July 2020. “I joined the rock band Hinder, they were all about drinking and partying.”
Nolan also gained popularity on America’s Got Talent, appearing on season 15 and wooing audiences with his live performance of single “Send Me a Butterfly.”
Both The Voice and America’s Got Talent expressed their condolences to Neal’s family on social media. “We are heartbroken by the passing of Nolan Neal,” the shows’ statement read. “His incredible talent will always be remembered. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to his family and friends during this time.”
America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell also expressed his condolences in an interview with People. “Unfortunately, it happens too much over the years. I was thinking about this the other day. People [who] passed too soon,” said Cowell. “Every time it happens, because you’ve gotten to know them, it’s horrible.”
We are heartbroken by the passing of Nolan Neal. His incredible talent will always be remembered. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to his family and friends during this time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aaXN90HzT5— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) July 19, 2022
Niall Horan‘s already got Louis Tomlinson‘s stamp of approval when it comes to joining The Voice for season 23.
Tomlinson addressed the news on Twitter during an impromptu Q&A with fans Wednesday (Oct. 12). “Louis did u know about niall in the voice? AS A COACH[?]” one fan wrote, to which the One Direction alum replied, “I saw yesterday when he posted. He’ll be great at that!”
Another fan was quick to suggest that the “Bigger Than Me” singer should serve as a “guest judge” during his pal’s freshman stint in the show’s red spinning chairs, leading him to ask, “Do they have guest judges on the voice?” (Technically, what the fan was probably thinking of was the show’s battle advisors.)
Later in the thread, Tomlinson admitted he’s never watched the popular singing competition in the past over its 22 seasons and counting, but promised, “I’ll watch it if Niall’s on.”
News of Horan joining the show next season coincided with Blake Shelton announcing that he’ll be leaving his longstanding role as The Voice‘s last original coach after season 23. Kelly Clarkson will also make her return as a coach next season after taking the current season off while The Kelly Clarkson Show took off on a cross-country road trip to launch its fourth year, and Chance the Rapper will join the panel for the first time alongside fellow rookie Horan.
When it comes to the One Direction guys supporting one another’s solo careers, Horan has been particularly vocal in his fandom of Harry Styles’ latest era, dancing the night away at the fellow boy bander’s June show at London’s Wembley Stadium and naming Styles’ record-breaking No. 1 hit “As It Was” as his current favorite song.
Check out Tomlinson root on Horan below.
I saw yesterday when he posted. He’ll be great at that!— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) October 12, 2022
Do they have guest judges on the voice?— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) October 12, 2022
I haven’t either but I’ll watch it if Niall’s on— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) October 12, 2022
Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper will be joining the country star on his last ‘The Voice’ season.