How Would You Rank The Voice 18 Top 5 Finalists?
For the first time on The Voice a Top 5 will compete in the finale for your votes. On Monday (May 18) the artists will each perform two songs including an original produced by the Songland panel and a reprise. On Tuesday (May 19) The Voice will crown a winner.
The Voice 18 Finale: Everything You Need to Know, Original Songs
Other than where to place wildcard contestant Toneisha Harris, the last powerlist of the season was fairly easy to craft. If artists advanced based on voting without regard to team parity, as it always has since season 3, I believe Toneisha would have advanced straight to the final.
Thunderstorm Artis and Todd Tilghman will likely be the Top 2. And after thinking about it for a bit, I ranked Toneish No. 3. Her Minnie Riperton cover killed it, and established the singer as not only a versatile and professional singer, but also VERY strategic. She’s in it to win it, as the Dawg would say. CammWess was also very good last week, and is peaking at the right time, so he’s fourth.
The Voice 18 Finale Top 5 Power List
5. Micah Iverson – Team Kelly – For now, I’m ranking Micah 5th, although that could change after Monday’s performances. He’s the pop singer in this group, and certainly a welcome presence. But if pop guys even make the finals, with a few exceptions, they usually finish in the back of the pack (Britton Buchanan (S14) and Matt McAndrew (S7) are runner-up exceptions.) His performances haven’t always been perfect, but he’s willing to take risks, and uses his rangy voice to creative and unexpected effect.
4. CammWess – Team Legend – Camm has been the big surprise this season. He crept on the competition stealthily. His Blind Audition only got two turns. John was the obvious choice as coach, as opposed to Blake. John sorta threw Camm under the bus during the Battles when he paired him with Mandi Castillo for Senorita, practically handing him off to Kelly. But then she set him up like cannon fodder against her mini-me, Megan Daniels in the Knockouts. Camm couldn’t catch a break. But after his emotional performance of “Say Something,” John just had to steal him back. And that’s when Camm stopped being an underdog. His performances of “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Rainbow” cemented his position as a contender.
3. Toneisha Harris – Team Blake – Toneisha has performed a diverse set of songs, from Foreigner, to Lizzo, to Rihanna and the queen herself, Kelly Clarkson. She can sing pop, rock and soul. And you just know she had Minnie Ripperton’s “Loving You” in her back pocket, just in case she needed it. Which she did last week to secure her spot in the final. She the type of gospel tinged singer that hits the high notes, while making it look easy. She’s got range, power and the ability to connect. I hope that she at least comes in third.
2. Thunderstorm Artis – Team Nick – Thunderstorm brings a unique acoustic vibe to the eclectic set of songs he chooses to cover on The Voice. He puts his own stamp on the songs he picks using spare, creative arrangements and expressive phrasing. He adds unexpected touches like whistling during his rendition of “Summertime.” A compelling force with a fan base, he comes in strong at No. 2.
1. Todd Tilghman – Team Blake – Todd has a big rangy voice. But his song choices, vocal style and arrangements aren’t creative. His pedestrian covers of power ballads and country oldies don’t stand up very well against the output of his fellow Top 5 artists. But I think he’s going to win this thing. Almost every season has a salt of the earth country dude in the finals. Sometimes they win. When they don’t, they come pretty close. But especially in these times, amid so much uncertainty, Todd’s Christian nice guy backstory and his retro covers offer up a comfortable nostalgia, that harkens back to less complicated times.
The Voice semi-final performances airs Monday May 18 at 8 pm ET/PT, the FINALE airs Tuesday May 19 at 9 pm ET/PT after a clip show at 8 ET/PT. Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Nick Jonas coach. Carson Daly hosts.
