The Voice 25 Battles: Tae Lewis vs. L Rodgers Emotional Country Duet Results In a Playoff Pass for Team Reba
The Voice Season 25 Battles kicked off Monday night, and they were off to a hot start. The episode featured two Playoff Passes where coaches sent vocalists straight through to the Playoffs, and it also featured a Steal. One unexpected pairing, between soulful balladeer L. Rodgers and country singer Tae Lewis on Team Reba McEntire, lent to a beautiful country-pop ballad duet. (Read our Recap)
Rehearsing in front of Reba energized both singers. Reba called L. “a force of nature,” saying that her Americana style fit with Tae’s country style. When Reba picked L., she revealed to the coaches she is autistic. Reba called Tae’s range “incredible.” She paired the two as both really get into performance, showing great emotion.
Reba gave them “We Don’t Fight Anymore” by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton. Tae liked the song choice, considering it a natural fit for him. He’s excited because both singers are big names in country music. Tae struggled with the fact that people don’t take him seriously as a country artist and try to box him into the R&B genre. Reba suggested he respond to the naysayers, “Give me a song, and I’ll show you what I should be singing.”
“Carly and Chris are going to go like why didn’t we do it like that?”
Reba coached L. to opt up on a note that’s a bit flat. She advised both singers to be more still to showcase pain. L. related to the line, “we don’t care enough to hate” as she felt something was wrong after marrying a man she did not love. It was hard for her to tell him that she was gay. By the end of rehearsal, Reba was brought to tears. She said, “Carly and Chris are going to go like why didn’t we do it like that?”
Tae’s voice opened the performance with a silky smooth vocal. L.’s voice was emotive and contained many layers. The two singers blended perfectly, on a song that suited their strengths. L. is the more dynamic singer, but I appreciated that Tae didn’t try to outsing her with his quiet voice. The two singers listened to Reba, staying still for most of the performance, but when they stand, they bring tension in their performance and their vocals become even more passionate. L.’s voice boasted an extra raspy gear, while Tae executed a few very nice runs.
Chance the Rapper, not familiar with the song, felt Tae led it with his pitch and control. He stated that L. “was right there.” Dan Smyers said they did a great job, and Shay Mooney loved how L. sang with her “heart on her sleeve.” He called Tae’s runs “spot-on.” The performance amazed John Legend, who believed that both artists should go through, calling L.’s voice “dramatic and big.” He added that Tae’s tone was “crisp and precise.” He would pick Tae. Reba said the two of them did “great.”
Reba chose Tae, but saved L. with her Playoff Pass after Chance tried to steal her
Ultimately, Reba chose Tae as the winner, believing he is a versatile singer. Chance tried to steal L., but instantly Reba hit her button using her Playoff Pass on L. Her shocked reaction to moving straight to the Playoffs is priceless. She thanked Reba, but also hugged Chance. L. has a “beautiful voice, but it’s not only the voice, it’s her attitude, it’s the stage presence,” said Reba.
The first night of Battles featured more great performances, including a duet from Team Reba between R&B singer Asher Havon and rock vocalist Alyssa Crosby singing a Tina Turner classic which resulted in Asher winning and Chance stealing Alyssa. The battle opener of “Rolling In The Deep” from Team Legend was also an excellent battle between soul singer Nathan Chester who won and 4-chair turn Bryan Olesen who received the Playoff Pass.
