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 2 Battle Pairings and Song Choices
The Voice 21 Battle Round Spoilers! Results, Pairings, Songs
The Voice 21 Battle: Wendy Moton vs Manny Keith Throw Down! (Video)
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.
The coaches have used their saves. Kelly, Blake and Ariana’s steals remain.
REMINDER: NO SPOILERS IN COMMENTS. Keep spoiler talk under spoiler posts above, thank you.
Joshua Vacanti vs. Keilah Grace – Team Legend
Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo – John blocked Ariana from choosing Broadway singer Joshua, while 15 year old Keilah was a 3 chair turn. Now she performs gigs in New York City. Josh met his wife in college, and also sings in a Worship band. John wants them to be emotional while keeping technique in mind. Camila tells them to be “mad at each other.” She also suggests they practice while on the treadmill!
I’m getting big Casey Bishop vibes from Keilah. Isn’t it a little creepy for them to pretend to be in a relationship? Considering Keilah’s only 15, and Joshua’s a married man. Anyway. They pull it all off. The vocals are strong, dramatic and confident. Kelly compliments both singers on their range. Kelly picks Joshua. Blake is also taken aback by Joshua. He would also pick him. Ariana loves Joshua, but would pick Keilah. John picks Joshua. Keilah is ELIMINATED. Oh man. Somebody should have stolen her! Ariana could have, and regrets that she didn’t.
John picks Joshua, Keilah is ELIMINATED
Carson Peters vs. Clint Sherman – Team Blake
Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away by Vince Gill – Carson, a four chair turn, is the fiddle player who has played the Opry and CMA Awards. He plays in a touring Bluegrass band. Clint is married. Dierks tells a story about Vince Gill and his wife Amy Grant playing in a Nashville bar. He suggests that Carson not glance at the lyric sheet so much.
Blake advised Clint to use the bigger part of his voice all through the song. And it’s true. He’s too soft on the verse. Carson’s voice is cutting through in a way that Clint’s is not. This should be an easy decision. Ariana thinks they both sang well, but she’d pick 17 year old Carson. John thinks Clint won the battle . Kelly loves Carson’s rasp. Kelly would also pick Clint. I disagree. Blake mentions Clint’s soulful voice, and that the song brought out Carson’s rock edge. He picks Carson, Clint is eliminated.
Blake picks Carson, Clint is ELIMINATED
Holly Forbes vs. Wyatt Michael – Team Kelly
Sunny by Bobby Hebb (Billie Eilish version) – Holly was the star of Blinds, NBC promoted her performance like crazy. And now the show montaged her–probably because Wyatt’s performance is weak. And sorry Kelly, this was a really bad song choice for both of them. Kelly picks Holly, Wyatt is eliminated.
Kelly picks Holly, Wyatt is ELIMINATED
Jim & Sasha Allen vs. Sophia Bromberg – Team Ariana
Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder – Another odd song choice. But Sasha’s performance, what little we get in a montage, seemed so much more energetic than his Blind Audition. Jim & Sasha Allen are the father and son duo. Sasha is a trans man, and his dad is very accepting. Ariana picks Jim & Sasha. Sophia is eliminated.
Ariana picks Jim & Sasha. Sophia is ELIMINATED
Raquel Trinidad vs. Hailey Mia – Team Ariana
Car Wash by Rose Royce (Christina Aguilera & Missy Elliott) – Raquel is also an American Idol alum. She sang Stevie Wonder for her Blind Audition. She broke her right femur in car accident. Hailey is only 13 years old. She is Hispanic and loves singing Spanish music. Ariana hopes to meld the original and the cover together to take advantage of both singers’ gifts. Ariana would like to hear more of Mia’s voice.
On paper “Car Wash” seems like another weirdo song choice from Ariana, but it works. Raquel is the real star here. She is totally unapologetic, and confident. Hailey has a beautiful gift, but at 13, she’s still tentative, but still really great! Her tone is amazing. John would pick Raquel. Hailey totally surprised Kelly. She calls her a really gifted singer. Blake says Raquel is ready right now. Ariana picks Raquel, and then Kelly steals Hailey. Kelly says she wasn’t “planning on using my steal here.”
Ariana picks Raquel. Kelly STEALS Hailey
Gymani vs. Aaron Hines – Team Kelly
Working by Tate McRae & Khalid – Both singers are 4 chair turns. Aaron plays several instruments. He struggles with nerves. Gymani is a single mom, who worked weddings and corporate gigs to make ends meet. Jason feels that Aaron is holding back. Kelly gives Gymani advice on phrasing. Aaron knows he’s the underdog in this battle.
Gymani is the star in this duet. Aaron’s phrasing and tone are beautiful, but Gymani is a force. She’s effortless. Blake compliments Aaron for going for the big moments. Blake calls Gymani “unbelievable” and would go with her. Ariana loves Aaron’s “whispery and warm” tone. But she would also go with Gymani. John thinks both are great, and won’t pick. Kelly says she paired them both, because she thought they would sound incredible together. She picks Gymani, because of her “extra special” tone. Aaron is ELIMINATED
Kelly picks Gymani, Aaron is ELIMINATED
Sabrina Dias vs. Jack Rogan – Team Legend
Cardigan by Taylor Swift – Sabrina sang in Portuguese for her Blind audition, but the show montaged it. She came out as gay at 22. Her Hispanic heritage made that hard. For Jack, a singer-songwriter, The Voice was his first public performance. He is a little nervous about singing in his upper register, but John and Camila encourage him. Camila and John warn Sabrina about oversinging.
They are both really good. But like Aaron, Jack has the softer, more subtle style. Sabrina outsings him. Kelly loves Jack’s tone. However, she is a big fan of Sabrina, even comparing her to Pink. Blake also notes Jack’s tone, and compliments Sabrina’s charisma. He would choose her. Ariana can’t choose between them. John felt Jack really delivered, but loves the way Sabrina “shreds.” He loves her energy. So unsurprisingly, he picks Sabrina. Jack is eliminated.
John picks Sabrina, Jack is ELIMINATED
Shadale Johnson vs. Janora Brown – Team Legend
One Last Time by Ariana Grande – This battle sounds terrific. Why is it montaged? Ariana calls hearing her song covered a “real treat.” John picks Shadale, Janora is eliminated. John says he picked Shadale because of her star power and “Beyonce Jr” vibe.
John picks Shadale, Janora is eliminated
Wendy Moten vs. Manny Keith – Team Blake
If I Ever Lose My Faith in You by Sting – NBC previewed this Battle a few days ago. Wendy is a four chair turn. Manny is a little intimidated by her. After his mom died, he pushed himself to audition for The Voice. Oh man. Wendy sang with Dierks just 2 weeks before. She knows everybody in Nashville, because she’s already an established singer, having sung backgrounds for a ton of famous singers. She’s been engaged for 25 years. Blake thinks Manny needs more confidence. Blake suggests he lean into the song. Dierks says “use the nervous energy.” Blake reminds Wendy that she’s not singing backgrounds any more. Dierks advises both singers to “Look out for number one, don’t step on number two.”
Wendy is the pro in this duo. She’s undeniable! But Manny holds his own, and brings his own unique energy to the performance. He dances and works the stage in a joyful way, while Wendy is pure intensity. Manny’s fast vibrato is appealing. Wendy’s high register is unbelievable. Ariana is having an out of body experience. She would give it to Wendy. John thinks they both look like stars, but notes their very different styles. Kelly believes Manny was the vibe in the performance, while Wendy was the words. She thinks she should make the finals. Blake unsurprisingly picks Wendy. Ariana Grande STEALS Manny at the last minute!
Blake picks Wendy, Ariana STEALS Manny
