The Voice 25 Semifinal: Karen Waldrup Hopes to “Stay” with Sugarland Cover
The Voice Season 25 Semifinals on Monday (May 13) featured nine singers vying for five spots in next week’s finale. The artists gave hometown dedications and also performed in trios with fellow competitors. This season has some singers that have blossomed over the past few weeks including 37-year-old Louisiana country singer, Karen Waldrup. (Read our Recap)
Like The Voice 23 competitor, Morgan Myles, Karen is very honest in her packages that she is a developed singer who performs across the country but is looking to take the next step. She is grateful for those who voted. During her mentoring session with coaches Dan + Shay, Shay Mooney shared that a fan approached them the other day to say that they loved Karen.
She is singing “Stay” by Sugarland for her performance. Dan Smyers suggests that they “just want to see a little bit more vulnerability.” Karen describes how constantly touring has led to her having “tough skin,” adding that “it’s scary to be this open and vulnerable.” She is glad that her coaches are pushing her. They tell her to relate to real life moments and to “live in that moment.” The road, she says, has become her true home.
It’s a moment for Karen, and her best vocal to date.
The lieutenant governor of Louisiana as well as some friends and family announce Karen before she begins her performance. The song is a perfect fit for the country singer’s tone as she shares some similarities with original singer Jennifer Nettles. The emotion is evident in her voice, especially when she goes from the low to the high notes. I’ve never heard the cry that’s in her vocal in this performance and her voice even breaks a few times, making for a very effective performance. It’s a moment for Karen, and her best vocal to date.
Shay says, “I know that was kind of a scary song to sing because it was a very vulnerable moment, but I felt it.” He thinks the risk paid off. Dan says “we knew you would deliver” the challenge they gave her. Hopefully the risk pays off as Karen is more than deserving of a spot in the finale.
Other singers who also gave great performances tonight included Team Chance The Rapper’s Serenity Arce’s emotive take on Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” and although he’s not my cup of tea, Team John’s Nathan Chester gave a remarkable vocal on Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness.” An honorable mention goes to the best trio performance from Madison Curbelo, Serenity Arce, and Asher Havon on “Fix You” as it was the only trio that did a good job of working together.
