The Voice 17 Live Finals continue Monday (Dec 2) as the Top 10 sing for your votes in front of coaches Gwen Stefani, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. Where do the singers stand ahead of Monday’s show? I take a stab at ranking them below. How would you rate the Top 10? At the end of Tuesday’s (Dec 3) results show, TWO artists will leave the competition.
Reminder: This week, results shows move to 9 pm ET/PT until the two hour Dec. 19 finale!
10. Shane Q – Team Kelly Clarkson – America saved Shane after he ended up in the bottom two last week. That, after performing at his best the night before. With two singers heading home this week, it’s likely Shane will leave the competition on Tuesday.
9. Joana Martinez – Team Gwen Stefani – Joana escaped the bottom 2 this week after an arguably lackluster performance. But perhaps I am miscalculating the enduring popularity of Selena. And maybe Gwen is smart to fashion a Latin music lane for Joana. She’s got it all to herself. I’m just not convinced her heart is in it. Having said all that, considering the competition, Joana could end up in the bottom three this week anyway.
8. Will Breman – Team John Legend – Happily, Will escaped the bottom 2 last week. His performances aren’t perfect, but Will is one of the least predictable of this year’s crop of contestants. I appreciate his musicality, fearlessness, and willingness to go out on a limb. But his imperfect performances and general quirkiness will probably land him in the bottom 3 this week.
7. Hello Sunday – Team Kelly Clarkson – Or, maybe Hello Sunday will hit bottom. The tween duo is adorable, and I gather they have a ton of young fans. The two are talented singers, but their uneven performances might catch up with them this week. There is too much competition at this point to keep them entirely safe. They need to work on vocal control and staying in tune.
6. Kat Hammock – Team Blake Shelton – I still don’t get Kat’s seeming popularity. Kat’s lo-fi style would work better if she could stay in tune throughout her performance. She’s a young singer who definitely needs a few more years to develop. But Blake thinks she’s the most important The Voice artist evah, comparing her to Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift. Ok. then. Still, she’s got fans who seem to be spamming our online polls keeping her in the competition. I don’t think she’ll make the final four, but it’s not entirely out of the question.
5. Marybeth Byrd – Team John Legend – Marybeth’s best performances showcase her lovely phrasing and ability to convey deep emotion. Her Blind Audition cover of “Angel From Montgomery” and Top 13 performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain” are examples. When she picks big songs with big notes, she falls short. Last week’s “Stars,” a problematic pick, was a bit out of her vocal range. I wonder if the singer would be better off with country friendly coaches Blake Shelton or Kelly Clarkson. Still, she has a decent shot at the final, depending on her song choice.
4. Rose Short – Team Gwen Stefani – Rose is rising through the ranks, and if she keeps it up, she could make the final. The singer makes any song, no matter the era or familiarity, sound fresh and exciting. She’s really a pro at phrasing and dynamics. And to think she is not a contestant who has been hanging around the industry for years. She’s a natural.
3. Ricky Duran – Team Blake Shelton – Ricky is a smooth operator. He makes delivering an enjoyable performance look easy. Maybe TOO easy. I really liked the rocked up version he did of “Downtown Train” last week. But I’m waiting for him to have a moment where he pours his soul into a great song. Nevertheless, Ricky’s confidence and impressive vocal chops make him a sure contender for the final four.
2. Katie Kadan – Team John Legend – John is doing a terrific job coaching Katie. With consistently great song choices, John has managed to reign in her big voice without watering down her power. I don’t think she has a chance against a beloved country artist like Jake, but she’ll most certainly make the final and come in 2nd or possibly third.
1. Jake Hoot – Team Kelly Clarkson – Jake won the streaming bonus for a second week. He’s a likeable and relatable guy who can deliver an emotional country tune. It’s just what The Voice voters love. Jake has a very good chance of taking it all, which would be Kelly Clarkson’s 3rd win. And considering it’s only her fourth time as coach, it would make her average better than Blake’s.
