The Voice 24 Recap: Battles Part 3 with Videos
The Voice season 24 Battles continue. New coach Reba McEntire alongside returning vets John Legend and Gwen Stefani and sophomore coach and current champ Niall Horan pair up their team members for unforgettable duets. The coach picks a winner to move on to the Knockouts, leaving the loser to be eliminated or stolen. Carson Daly returns as host.
The Voice 24 Top 56 Blind Auditions Contestant List
The Voice Season 24 Full Schedule CONFIRMED
The Voice 24 Spoilers: Battle Round Contestant Matchups and Results
Nini Iris vs Sophia Hoffman – Team Niall – Heart of Glass by Blondie
NBC previewed this battle earlier today. Sophia was a no-turn last season. This time, Niall and Reba hit their buttons for her Demi Lovato cover. Nini was a four chair turn. Sophia wanted help with her breath control. “Read it like it was a heart wrencher,” Niall advises. Nini, from from the country of Georgia, became homeless for awhile after moving to New York City. Niall warns both singers about the danger of the song sounding karaoke.
But he need not worrry. The song arrangement starts off as a piano ballad before the beat kicks in. It gives the singers the room to show off their big voices while putting on an entertaining show. Nina’s gravelly tone stands out here. But Sophia is holding her own while showing off a few impressive high notes. The two harmonize well.
Gwen says it didn’t feel like a battle. She’s impressed with Nina’s precise runs. She notes that Sophia is only 18. John calls it “fun to watch” and remarks how they “looked like stars up there” while maintaining great vocals. “Y’all sang!” Reba compliments their singing abilities and confidence. She thinks Sophia has a great future, but for the battle, she picks Nini. Niall is proud of both singers. “I’m really hoping that somebody comes up with a steal here,” he says. Niall picks Nini, and alas, Sophia is eliminated. John was close to saving Sophia but decided to save it for later.
Chechi Sarai vs. Calla Prejean – Team Gwen – I’ll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga from A Star is Born
Calla was the last artist to fill Gwen’s team. Chechi was a four chair turn. She won the coaches over with her whistle tones. Also, she’s been grinding as a singer, producer, musician and engineer for several yearsl now. She has a ton more experience than Calla. But Gwen stresses that they both have something important to bring to the table. Gwen worries that Chechi is too much in her head. “Try to be a person rather than a singer.” Gwen helps Calla with phrasing and dynamics.
Calla doesn’t pull off the fancy runs like Chechi, but her tone is gorgeous. I actually prefer her voice. But there is no denying that Chechi knows how to SING a song. Her ad libs are impeccable. Both singers have earned their place in the Knockouts. But only one can move on, unfortunately.
John felt Calla was a little unsure of how to build the song. He calls Chechi exceptionally gifted. Reba calls Chechi’s voice “incredible.” She was drawn in by Calla’s tenderness. But she’d pick Chechi. Niall compliments Calla’s tasteful tone. He thought Chechi was a little nasally on the high notes. But thought both were great. Gwen feels Chechi needs more work on her confidence. Nevertheless, Gwen picks Chechi, Calla is eliminated. She looks forward to helping Chechi grow.
The next two Battles from Team John Legend are montaged. In the first, Caleb Sasser battles Talakai (The John Legend look-alike) – performing Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith. John picks Caleb, Talakai is eliminated. In the second, Lila Forde battles JaRae Womack singing Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack. John chooses Lila, JaRae is eliminated.
Rachele Nguyen vs. Mac Royals – Team Reba – How Deep is Your Love by Bee Gees
Mac is a former American Idol contestant and a 4-chair turn. He picked Team Reba because he and his grandma watched her sitcom together. These days, he’s a professional busker. Reba didn’t think Mac was hearing the beat. He wants to do something different with the melody, while Reba advises that he stay with the song’s familiar and classic melody. Rachele is a teen. Reba suggests that she open her eyes and “hone in on somebody.”
Mac’s performance seems a little off? He really wants to do his own thing on this song, but he’s butchering the verse. Rachele sticks to the melody, embellishing it with pretty runs, although she has a few pitch issues here and there. I actually was expecting more from this battle. Mac especially turned in a standout audition. Reba is right. When covering an iconic song, it’s better not to mess too much with it. Especially in a competition, when a song is well known and beloved, fans will be less forgiving of performances that aren’t up to par.
Niall mentions Mac’s issues at the beginning of the song. But he thought both did well. He wishes he had turned for Rachele. He’d pick her. Gwen loves Mac’s “warm, butter voice.” Gwen compliments Rachele’s instincts. She won’t pick a winner. John loves the sound of Mac’s voice, and would choose him, but he also mentions that he struggled at the beginning. He compliments Rachele’s phrasing. Reba is a little ticked and disappointed that Mac insisted on changing the melody, even though she advised against it. Unsurprisingly, Reba picks Rachele, but then John steals Mac Despite his problematic performance, John just loves the sound of his voice.
