The Voice 24 Recap: Top 9 LIVE Performances plus Taylor Swift Trios
The Voice season 24 live shows continue as the Top 9 artists vie for YOUR vote and a spot in the Top 5 FINALE. Tomorrow night (Dec 12) four contestants will be declared SAFE while the remaining contestants perform in for the Instant Vote and last spot.
Aside from solo performances dedicated to fans and chose by them on “Fan Week,” the artists sing Taylor Swift songs in Trios. That’s 12 total performances for the night.
Coaches Niall Horan and Reba McEntire still have all three team members in the competition. John Legend lost a team member last week, while Gwen Stefani lost TWO. She only has one remaining. Carson Daly hosts.
The Voice 24 Spoilers: Top 24 and Top 12 Contestant Lists and RESULTS
The Voice Season 24 Full Schedule CONFIRMED
The Voice 24 Top 9 Ranked Power List – Rate the Artists!
How to Vote
Voting begins at the end of the episode. Fans can vote via the official phone app or at nbc.com/VoiceVote. Fans can vote one time per email address in the app and at NBC.com. And one vote means ONE VOTE. Pick a favorite, and vote for that ONE artist. No voting for multiple artists. For more info check out THIS LINK. The voting window closes on Tuesday morning at 7 am ET.
Ruby Leigh – Team Reba – Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver
Ruby’s dad is her biggest fan, and spends a little time in rehearsal with her. Reba suggests that she use her “yodel” more. She advises the singer to “Rubify it.” Ruby loves her fans, especially the little girls. “Appreciate your fans,” Reba says.
She begins the song a cappella. Reba was all like YODEL IT UP RUBY. But it might be too much. Also, the higher notes are out of her range a bit. TOO MUCH YODELING. That sweet break in her voice is perfect when it’s well placed. She seems a little nervous tonight. The second half of the song is better than the first.
John loves that she is consistent and always “authentically you.” He loved the high notes from her chest (she seemed to be reaching, though). Reba says, “You did everything to perfection…you sang your butt off tonight.”
Huntley, Lila Forde and Mac Royals – Exile by Taylor Swift
All three singers are friends at the hotel. Huntley opens the song with impressive low notes. He can go deep. Mac takes over with his sweet tenor. His tone is so pleasing. Lila sings the next solo. Her voice opens up before the chorus. Interestingly, there is very little harmony singing. Finally at the end their voices come together. These group numbers always sound kind of hasty, because of the lack of rehearsal time. The performance has it’s moments, however. The solos are strong.
BIAS – Team Gwen – Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
He couldn’t believe his fans at home. Hundreds of people waited to see him at his hometown haunts. BIAS is teary as he shares about his wife, who is like a rock when it comes to his commitment to music. He’s dedicating the song to her. Gwen wants the audience to see his tender side.
His tone and phrasing are a bit nasally. While he can be dramatic and forceful on stage, I get the sense that stripping it all back and being nakedly vulnerable is a struggle for him. It’s not the greatest song choice as far as his vocal and performance strengths are concerned. He does manage to add some fire to the last verses and chorus. The song choice is too conventional for the quirky BIAS.
Niall calls the performance consistent, and his most mature of the whole season. Gwen is excited that BIAS is on her team. “Your voice is so gorgeous…such great stage presence.”
Jacquie Roar – Team Reba – Alive by Sia
Her fans put up billboards all over Oregon where she’s from. Jacquie is choosing to sing Chris Daughtry’s version of the song. because she’s a ROCKER. “When you start the song,” says Reba, “Plant…like a strong woman.” Reba declares that Jacquie can sing anything.
For the first time tonight, the fans picked wisely. Jacquie’s ability to adapt songs to her style probably helped her pull off a song that’s not really in her wheelhouse. The singer knows who she is as an artist, and that means A LOT. She hits the big high notes effortlessly. Her stage prescience is fierce. Stepping out of the country box is smart. She and Huntley need to be paired up in a duet!
John says “you knocked it out of the park.” He calls her range “stunning.” Reba calls her the “complete package.” She was “feeling it” for her.
Jordan Rainer – Team Reba – Ol’ Red by Blake Shelton
Jordan was “instantly saved” by America last week. She shares that she’s part of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. Jordan has played Blake’s “Ol’ Red” bar in Tishomingo. Reba suggests Jordan take down her glasses at key points. Take them off completely, Jordan.
NO HAT. Her hair looks great. She pulls the mic off the stand before heading down a set of stairs. What’s the deal with having the artists navigate stairs tonight? It’s a little awkward. In any case, it’s a good song pick for Jordan. Vocally, and from a storytelling aspect, she’s nailing it. She ends on a big note. Her best performance in a while.
“Finally I like that song,” Carson jokes. Gwen could never imagine a female singing the song, until now. It’s her favorite performance from Jordan so far. “You did all of America proud!” Reba gushes. “Handled it like a pro.”
Jacquie Roar, Nini Iris, Mara Justine – Don’t Blame Me by Taylor Swift
Mara and Nini start singing positioned around the studio in the audience. Then, Nini pushes the camera, directing it to Jacquie on stage. Fancy. Unlike the earlier trio, these three sing every chorus in harmony. Harmony singing isn’t every vocalist’s bag. Each artist gets their moment to wail. Taylor does NOT sing like this! Heh. The performance is well put together and ends in beautiful harmony.
Huntley – Team Niall – Way Down We Go by Kaleo
His young daughter is signing autographs at school. Restaurants are also naming dishes after him! Note that all three Team Niall artists are performing in the second hour. Huntley shares that he struggled when he first moved to Nashville. “From a park bench to Top 9 of The Voice.” Niall is certain Huntley will make the finale. I don’t think he’s wrong.
No stairs for Huntley. But is he wearing hair extensions? No judgement! All that aside. Huntley nails it every time he performs. There is power not only in his raspy voice but in his big big presence on stage. I can’t take my eyes off of him. The last chorus is a guttural, emotional scream, before he brings it back down to a tender finish. He’s a contender.
“Joe Cocker meets Hosier,” is a self-description John appreciates. He sees where Huntley wants to go. “I’m a fan.” Niall thinks the fans picked the perfect song. “You smashed it yet again.”
Mara Justine – Team Niall – Parachute by Chris Stapleton
Mara’s hometown is going crazy for her….AGAIN! It ain’t her first rodeo. Heh. Niall says, “It’s important to get the story across before you start belting.” Mara’s mom just had double mastectomy surgery due to a cancer diagnosis, which is weighing heavily on Mara’s mind.
Picking a soulful country song is an interesting choice for Mara. She’s a versatile singer and so pro when she takes the stage and works the audience. Niall is correct about shaping her performance and choosing the right places to go big. She’s taking that advice. Her raspy voice is like the second coming of Janis Joplin. This is one of her best of the season. She’ll make the finale, and maybe win.
“I’ve never heard you hit notes like that,” says John, her former coach. “I have some regrets!” Niall says, “That is crazy. It’s a completely different side to you.”
BIAS, Ruby Leigh, Jordan Rainer – Mean by Taylor Swift
Jordan notes that Taylor used banjo on her early songs. Remember when Taylor was a country singer? So long ago. The trio start off singing harmony acapella. Their voices blend well. All of them are playing instruments, with Jordan on banjo. It’s the most musical of all the trios. I am DIGGING these endless harmonies. It’s the best of of the three trio performances.
Mac Royals – Team Legend – Love T.K.O by Teddy Pendergrass
The ladies like Mac, apparently. But kids like him too. John claims Mac is one of his favorite artists he’s worked with on The Voice. He calls Mac a “true” R&B artist. John sings him a few ideas, which Mac takes to heart. “This man’s a genius!” he says.
Mac is set up on a sexy red couch with “party goers” milling about as he croons. It’s like a scene out of a 70’s variety show. The staging is corny and a distraction from his singing, which is smooth and effortless as always. Mac comes across like an old soul, as if he were transported from an earlier time. His soulful rasp really sells the song. As the only R&B singer, it would be a shame if he didn’t advance to the finals.
“What a journey,” says his former coach, Reba, “You have just soared.” John calls him an “R&B megastar.” He adds, “You are just killing it every week.” He begs America to vote.
Lila’s got the pimp spot!
Nini Iris – Team Niall – No Time to Die by Billie Eilish
Nini is a big fan of all the James Bond theme songs. Just as he told Mara earlier in the show, Niall suggests that Nini begin small before choosing where to go big. Good advice.
A big dramatic Bond song is a great choice for Nini. The camera shoots her in black & white at first, before switching to color, evoking an earlier time. She’s a modern chanteuse, the reincarnation of Shirley Bassey. I wonder if she has more fans in America than she does worldwide? International artists often have trouble pulling in a local fan base. I forget that she’s 27 years old and brings a wealth of experience to her performances. She delivers a beautiful understated version of the song.
Gwen is blown away. “You’re so tasteful with the way you build the songs…you are so talented.” Niall says, “Remember the name Nini Iris.” He loves the way she flips every song on its head, noting that Billie sings the song so differently.
Lila Forde – Team Legend – River by Joni Mitchell
Her crunchy granola parents who live out in the woods are her biggest fan.s When Carson said her fans were begging her to sing this song, “River” was the obvious choice! IT’S NOT A CHRISTMAS SONG. Fight me. John gives her some phrasing advice.
Lila sits at a grand piano under a canopy of leaves. Her melodious tone is beautiful, dark and syrupy. She adds a few fillips here and there that add character. But I’ve said this before, her performances are more style than substance.
Reba says, “You have the ability to touch my heart so deep. You’re so good.” John says, “Oh my lord. You stopped the show again. It had so much wisdom, heart and musicality. Stunning.”
The Voice Top 9 Results episode airs Tuesday (Dec 12) at 9 pm ET/PT. If you missed tonight’s show, NBC will air a recap at 8 pm ET/PT
