The Voice season 21 Battle Rounds continue tonight with returning coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. Pop star Ariana Grande joins the panel. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the performances as the coaches choose singers to advance to the Knockouts
Each of the coaches has a celebrity advisor helping to prepare the duets. Country star Jason Aldean teamed up with Kelly Clarkson. Ariana Grande chose Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth. X Factor alum and former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello joined John Legend. And country singer Dierks Bentley aided Blake Shelton.
The Voice 21 Spoilers: Week 1 Battle Pairings and Song Choices
The Voice 21 Battle Round Spoilers! Results, Pairings, Songs
The Voice 21: Watch BrittanyBree vs Samara Brown Spectacular Battle!
Additionally, each coach gets a steal and a save. After a video package featuring the coach and mentor working with the duos, the singers battle it out on stage.
REMINDER: NO SPOILERS IN COMMENTS. Keep spoiler talk under spoiler posts above, thank you.
Before tonight’s battles begin, we find out who stolen contestant, Jershika Maple from Monday night’s show chooses as her coach! It’s either Team Ariana or Team Legend. (Watch her Team Kelly battle with Jeremy Rosado HERE). And Jershika picks…Team John Legend!
Hailey Green vs Lana Scott – Team Blake
Girl by Maren Morris – Hailey Green is a 15 year old no-turn returnee. She plays on her high school football team. Only Blake turned for her this time. Lana is an old school country singer. She shares with Dierks that she sang “Drunk on a Plane” on a cruise ship. She changed “plane” to “ship.” Hailey is not used to singing pop country. But she loves the empowering message of the song choice. Blake suggests that Hailey dial back parts of the song. And he advises Lana to give Hailey room to start singing.
Blake has a point about Hailey. Her vocals border on strident at times. If she eased up, her tone would sound better. It’s got to be tough in a battle to lay back, though. Meanwhile, Lana’s vocal is like warm honey. She delivers an assured performance. I’d give the battle to her. John notes Hailey’s power “it felt so good.” But he likes Lana’s subtle tone. He can’t choose. Kelly felt Lana pierced through in a different way. She compares Hailey to a cheetah. Ariana can’t choose a winner either. Blake notes how different their voices are, before picking Hailey! That’s a little surprising. Her youth and power attracts him. He looks forward to coaching her. OK Blake uses his save. Good. Lana deserves a spot. “Get your a** back on this stage!” he shouts at Lana.
Blake picks Hailey Green, and SAVES Lana Scott
LiBianca vs Tommy Edwards – Team Blake
Save Your Tears by The Weeknd ft Ariana Grande – This battle is montaged, which is surprising. LiBianca was a highlight of the Blind auditions. Blake is interested in which songs LiBianca chooses for the Knockouts.
Blake picks LiBianca Tommy Edwards is ELIMINATED
Carolina Alonso vs Xavier Cornell – Team Kelly
Telepatía by Kali Uches – Kelly’s Spanish language singers get a minute in the spotlight. Kelly picks Xavier. “Xavier’s just got this voice that you can throw anything at,” says Kelly. “He’s an incredibly gifted guy.”
Kelly picks Xavier Cornell. Carolina Alonso is ELIMINATED
Katherine Ann Mohler vs Vaughn Mugol – Team Ariana
Dilemma by Nelly & Kelly Rowland – Katharine is thrilled that Kristin is the mentor. She sang musical theater with her sisters, and is now working on her masters in psychology. She’s such a big Ariana fan, she dressed as her for Halloween. Vaughn grew up in the Philippines and works as a nurse. He received 4 turns. The song choice surprised Kristin at first, but she felt the singers rose to the occasion. Ariana wants Katherine to have a moment at the end. She needs to be less “mathematical.” Kristin can relate. Ariana gives Vaughn advice on phrasing and intonation. At stage rehearsal, Ariana thinks the two are being “too polite.”
I’m not sure about this song. There are too many sing-songy parts for a singing competition. Vaughn made a splash with his Blind Audition, but Ariana pitted him against a formidable singer. Katherine’s tone really cuts through in this performance. John calls the performance “really fun.” He likes that Ariana took the singers out of their comfort zone. He would pick Katherine. Kelly notes that Katherine’s voice “cuts through” but loved Vaughn’s falsettos She’d choose him. Blake never heard the song before. He feels that Katharine gave the performance “that extra little bit.” Ariana calls Katharine technically perfect. Ariana loves seeing Vaughn step into a completely different genre. Ariana picks Katherine Ann because she nailed a song so far out of her comfort zone. Vaughn is ELIMINATED. It’s surprising that such a splashy blind auditioner left the competition so soon.
Ariana picks Katherine Ann Mohler. Vaughn Mugol is ELIMINATED
BrittanyBree vs Samara Brown – Team Legend
Something He Can Feel by Aretha Franklin – Brittany, who never sang secular music in public before, received a 4-chair turn. Her uncle passed away last year. He inspired her to audition. Samara is the sister of season 3 standout, Amanda Brown. She also shares about heartbreaking romances she’s had with women. John suggests that Samara not deviate from the melody so much. Camila talks about her time on X Factor, and how she wanted to change everything. But she looks back now and believes it was too much. John suggests that Brittany think about the person she might sing the song to, and reminds her that Aretha was also raised in the church. Camila suggests the two engage in a riff battle!
Either Blake, Kelly or Ariana will steal the loser, or John will use his save. Both singers are incredible in their own way. Brittany sings with a massive growl and rasp, while Samara’s husky voice is smooth and sweet. They are both standout pros. They both know how to sing a well-placed run. After screaming and hollering through their performance, Kelly calls their voices “insane.” She compares Brittany to Tina Turner. Kelly teases that she’ll steal the loser. The judges aren’t willing to pick a winner. John is happy both singers took his notes. John picks BrittanyBree, and then he SAVES Samara. But then Kelly and Ariana attempt a steal. Ariana claims she saved her steal just for Samara. Kelly would LOVE to be her coach. John loves working with her, and claims he is sorry he put them together. And she sticks with John!
John picks BrittanyBree, and SAVES Samara Brown. Kelly and Ariana attempt a steal. But Samara chooses to stay on Team Legend.
