The Voice 24 Recap: Battles End/Knockouts Begin Live Blog Results with Videos
The Voice season 24 Battles end tonight with three remaining battles and a steal from Team Legend. Then, the KNOCKOUTS BEGIN featuring Mega Mentor Wynonna Judd who will assist the coaches–Reba McEntire, John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan with their three-way Knockouts. Each coach gets a steal and a save (and maybe more!) Carson Daly returns as host.
The Voice 24 Spoilers: Top 24 and Top 12 Contestant Lists and RESULTS
The Voice Season 24 Full Schedule CONFIRMED
The Voice 24 Spoilers: Battle Round Contestant Matchups and Results
Huntley vs. Brailey Lenderman – Team Niall – Hold My Hand by Hootie & The Blowfish
NBC previewed this Battle last week. Huntley is father to Stella, who “chose” Niall as her father’s coach. He was a 4-chair turn. Brailey has been playing shows for years. Niall’s song pick is meaningful to Huntley, because when his daughter was born with the umbilical cord around her neck, he held her tiny hand. Braily’s husband helped her through a major depression last year.
Huntley has a classic southern rock sound, while Brailey is a little more country. She’s good, but it’s tough to compete with Huntley’s commanding presence. He’s a terrific singer with charisma. Huntley’s raspy vocals and Brailey’s sweet tone actually sound good together. The two are both pros.
Gwen thought it took Brailey a bit to ramp up. But she’s afraid Huntley will win the show. “Huntley won that one.” John calls Brailey “powerful” but Huntley is attractive and magnetic. He compliments the “crackle” in his voice. Reba loves duets. She appreciates Brailey’s tone, and calls Huntley a “force of nature.” Niall thought Brailey was on fire and confident looking. But Niall picks Huntey, Brailey is eliminated. Brailey was in tears as she thanked Niall for saying “yes.”
Caitlin Quisenberry vs. Crystal Nicole – Team Reba – The Song Remembers When by Trisha Yearwood
Reba paired the two BECAUSE they are different singers–R&B vs Country. Caitlin was very nervous during her blind audition. She’s a songwriter who lives in Nashville. Nicole’s mother, a fan of The Voice and Reba, passed away from cancer. She sang “Only Girl in the World.” by Rihanna for her Blind Audition which CRYSTAL CO-WROTE. Has an artist ever performed their own song during the Blinds? Unfortunately, her Blind Audition was montaged. She was only a 1-chair turn. Reba, again, advises the singers to listen to what the song MEANS. Pay attention to the emotion, she says.
This is an odd pairing. The two don’t blend very well. I suspect if they had been given the song as a solo, each would have approached the song differently. Weird that Crystal only gone one turn, because she’s incredible. She overshadows Caitlin.
Niall describes Crystal’s voice as filling up the room. Niall is sad that he didn’t turn for Caitlin. He would lean towards Caitlin’s storytelling. Gwen calls Caitlin’s style “memorable” and Crystal “naturally strong.” John feels Crystal’s voice has presence and clarity. He calls Caitlin’s voice homey. He would also pick Caitlin. Reba picks Caitlin. Crystal is eliminated. Reba is in tears, she’s so upset at having to let Crystal go. She was kinda robbed!
Kara Tenae vs. Brandon Montel – Team Gwen – Have You Ever by Brandy
Reba blocked John when he hit his button for Brandon, a 4-chair turn. Afterward, he vowed to steal him. Hm. Brandon does background singing and is involved with underground “ballroom.” He recently lost his grandfather, a gospel producer. Both singers LOVE Brandy. Kara and her sister are close. Gwen stresses that runs have to come from the lyrics and meaning of the song. Gwen wants Brandon to be more animated, while Kara needs to blend a little more.
Kara is beautiful, and she has a VIBE. She throws back to the 90’s and aughts, but is contemporary at the same time. What a standout. Her runs are on point. Brandon is solid, but he’s not keeping up. Great harmonies, however.
John loves the outfits. He’s impressed with Brandon’s higher register, and calls his voice “rare.” He calls Kara powerful and brilliant. Reba was entertained. She’d pick Kara, because of the way she handled herself. Niall was impressed with the “technical stuff.” He calls it the best Battle of the season. He would lean toward Brandon because of his “uniqueness.” Gwen felt Brandon was not as strong as in rehearsal. Yet, Gwen is torn. Gwen picks Kara, John STEALS Brandon. Surprise, surprise!
Three-way Knockouts BEGIN
Team Reba – Jacquie Roar, Tom Nitti, Alison Albrecht
Of course, the trio of singers are freaked out by Wynonna. While one singer rehearses with Wynonna and Reba, the others watch.
Jacquie Roar – GIRL by Maren Morris
She’s dedicating the song to her daughter, whom she misses a lot. “I want to be the new Gretchen Wilson” she declares. Wynonna suggests bringing the key down a half step to get the full effect of her rich voice.
Jacquie, an early The Voice standout, continues the trend with this performance. She turns on her growl and grit at just the right time. And she’s got an incredible range. And she sings with conviction and heart.
Alison Albrecht – It’s Too Late by Carole King
Alison is looking for longevity, so she chose to sing a classic. Reba sees her struggling with stage presence. Wynonna suggests she “relax into the low notes.” She advises “Surround yourself with good people, SAVE YOUR MONEY!”
Alison sings with a unique, lovely tone. But the song doesn’t give her an opportunity for vocal moments, which singers absolutely need in singing competitions. The song bubbles along, until it ends.
Tom Nitti – I’m Losing You by The Temptations
Tom is a country singer who loves Motown. He sang a Stevie Wonder song for his Blind Audition and only got one turn. He’s better singing country. Wynonna and Reba both think he needs to ditch the mic stand. Reba advises, “Follow the story,” once again stressing the importance of emotion and connection. Jacquie is so competitive, she says that despite Tom being her friend, she’s got to “get him out of here.”
This song is better than his Blind Audition, but with that raspy gritty voice, Tom should stick to Americana and Country covers. Just because he loves the genre doesn’t mean he should cover the songs. He can display his soulfulness even better on country tunes.
RESULTS
Niall would pick Tom. Gwen eliminated Jacquie. She’s proud that she worked with her. John reminds Gwen she can steal her. John is in love with Alison’s tone. But he wanted to see another gear from her. Exactly. Bad song choice. He feels Jacquie picked the right song. He’d pick her. Reba picks Jacquie and SAVES Tom, Gwen STEALS Tom He sticks with Reba Reba knew she wanted both. Alison is eliminated.
Team Legend – Kaylee Shimizu, Mara Justine, Caleb Sasser
John explains to Wynonna that all three artists were 4-chair turns. “Get out of your head and into your heart,” Wynonna advises the trio
Caleb Sasser – Jealous by Nick Jonas
John noted that the coaches covered the song when Nick sat on the panel. John wants to make sure Caleb embraces the energy. Wynonna heard some technical things, but she thinks connecting emotionally to the song is more important. “Find someone in the audience and connect,” John says.
Caleb sings with a gorgeous falsetto, it’s the best part of his voice. He performs nice runs and flourishes before hitting an impressive high note. He’s a little pitchy in spots, though. He’s up against two powerhouse singers. It’s an uphill climb for him.
Kaylee Shimizu – Ain’t No Way by Aretha Franklin
Kaylee is only 17, but sings with a mature tone. Her parents had her at 16! Babies having babies. Wynonna is impressed, but AGAIN she suggests Kaylee take it a step lower. “I’m usually telling singers to go higher,” says John. True, it’s an unusual request, unless the singer is really struggling.
Wynonna is smart to suggest to the contralto singers to lower the key. Kaylee’s deep tones are as impressive as her high notes. She hits a whistle tone. Her range is crazy, CRAZY. She also takes the stage with sass and and confidence. That little hair flip? Noted!
Mara Justine – Without You by Harry Nilsson (Celine Dion)
John mentions that the two sang together in the Blinds. Wynonna thought she sounded strained at times. “squeeze your butt” on high notes, she instructs. John suggests fewer runs.
“Without You” is an overdone singing show song. But it IS a good competition song in terms of how it allows a singer to show off their range. She doesn’t add a million runs, but does hit the big notes. Her voice is raspy in spots. Does she have a sore throat? If she does, it’s working for her.
Results
Reba noticed Kaylee’s hair flip. She picks her. Niall thought the performance started rough, but then took off. John reminds everybody about “steals and saves.” Gwen is leaning towards Mara. John calls Mara’s performance her best so far. But John picks Kaylee, Gwen and Nick STEAL Mara. Niall yoinks Gwen’s pink coat as they battle it out for Mara! Hijinks! Caleb is eliminated.
WHO WILL MARA CHOOSE? Tune in Tuesday at 9 pm ET. Dan + Shay, season 25 coaches, drop by.
