The Voice 25: 10 BEST performances so far. Which are your favorites?
We’re halfway through Season 25 of The Voice and while we wait for The Knockouts to premiere on April 8, let’s take a look back at the 10 best performances of the season so far.
With half of the coaches being country singers, this has felt like a primarily country season so far, yet the majority of the best performances came from singers of other genres.
10. Donny Van Slee vs Josh Sanders – “When It Rains It Pours” – Battles
This Team Reba performance was just a ball of fun and felt more like a duet than a battle. This classic country song fit both Donny Van Slee’s and Josh Sanders’ voices so well, though one did have a clear edge in the competition.
After nothing but praise from all the coaches, Reba ultimately chose Sanders as the winner, stating she thinks America is going to fall in love with him.
9. Tae Lewis – “Somebody Like You” – Audition
More classic country, Tae Lewis’ audition felt like the whole package: crowd-pleaser of a song, acoustic guitar skills, and a unique voice you can’t get enough of.
After Reba McEntire and John Legend turned, Lewis chose Team Reba, fitting in perfectly on the country queen’s team. Lewis went on to win his performance in the Battles, which was so good, it may have also made this list.
8. Corey Curtis – “Waiting On The World To Change” – Audition
Corey Curtis won the coaches’ hearts with his funky take on “Waiting On The World To Change” by John Mayer during this audition. Although it’s a typical singing show song, Curtis made it unique with not only his voice, but his acoustic arrangement.
After securing a spot on Team Chance and performing “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar with Dani Stacy in the Battles, Chance the Rapper ultimately chose Stacy as the winner and sent Curtis packing.
7. Ronnie Wilson – “Pillowtalk” – Audition
Ronnie Wilson brought some soulful Broadway vibes to “Pillowtalk” by Zayn. With a combination of his big, gorgeous voice soaring above the coaches and his beautiful falsetto gracing their ears, his audition earned him chair turns from Reba and John.
After joining Team Legend, Wilson battled Gene Taylor with Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” but unfortunately wound up being eliminated.
6. Jackie Romeo vs Olivia Rubini – “Edge of Seventeen” – Battles
These gals are both killer, and they destroyed this Stevie Nicks song. Despite Olivia Rubini presumably having the upper hand as a Pop Rock artist, soulful singer Jackie Romeo surprised us all with her portion of the song and, even more surprisingly, won the Team Legend battle.
After John pegged Romeo as the winner, it gave Dan and Shay the opportunity to steal Rubini, allowing both performers to progress in the competition, now on competing teams.
5. William Alexander – “ceilings” – Audition
William Alexander had me on the first note of his audition. Alexander has so much control over his soft, charming voice at only 16 years old. His audition didn’t just feel like a simple song because his delivery made it an entire performance. Felt like I was watching Dear Evan Hansen or something.
Alexander joined Team Reba and went on to perform a beautiful rendition of “Just Give Me A Reason” by P!nk with Zeya Rae. After being overshadowed by Rae’s voice, the Battle ended in Alexander’s shocking elimination.
4. L. Rodgers vs Tae Lewis – “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Battles
‘Beautiful’ isn’t a strong enough word to describe this Team Reba performance. Both Lewis’ and L. Rodgers’ voices flow seamlessly together. When you pair two equally strong voices, no one outshines the other, and instead only compliment each other. The way they join hands in the middle as they continue to sing to each other is captivating, and makes this arguably the best performance of the entire Battles.
After Reba chose Lewis as the winner of the battle, Chance went for a last-minute steal, but was beaten by Reba using her one and only Playoff Pass on Rodgers, sending the singer straight to the Playoffs.
3. Anya True – “Until I Found You” – Audition
Anya True is everything you see in young, female singers nowadays: a unique tone paired with some edge. “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez perfectly fits her voice, and even the few notes tat weren’t technically perfect make this performance so raw and real.
True joined Team Dan and Shay and performed another song perfect for her voice, “Half of My Heart” by John Mayer, alongside AJ Harvey. This performance easily kept her place on Team Dan and Shay, sending her to the Knockouts.
2. Frank Garcia – “Love in the Dark” – Audition
Deep, beautiful, controlled, Sam Smith – those are the words that first come to my mind after rewatching Frank Garcia’s audition. He’s got an absolutely stunning tone and is another one who’s got Broadway vibes. It’s a shocker only Dan and Shay turned for him.
After joining the other Team Dan and Shay Garcias – Justin and Jeremy Garcia – in the Battles with “Million Reasons,” it was Frank Garcia who came out on top and scored a well-deserved spot in the Knockouts (followed by Reba stealing Justin and Jeremy!)
1. Madison Curbelo – “Stand By Me” – Audition
It’s a mind-boggler that Madison Curbelo was a no-chair turn during her Season _ audition when she was one of Season 25’s four-chair turns with this audition. Another singing show classic, Curbelo put her own spin on “Stand By Me” by B.B. King when she sang some parts in English and some parts in Spanish over a poppy arrangement.
Curbelo ultimately chose Team Dan and Shay and went on to perform “Lucky/Suerte” by Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat with Kyle Schuesler during the Battles. Curbelo once again sang her parts in both English and Spanish, and although Schuesler won the battle, it wasn’t over for Curbelo. John used his steal on her just before Dan and Shay used their Playoff Pass, sending Curbelo straight to the Playoffs.
