The Voice 26 Battle: Austyns Stancil and Jose Luis Sam Smith Cover has coaches ready to steal
The Voice 26 Battle Rounds continue on to Part 3 on Monday (Oct 28). Watch a new preview of an epic matchup between Team Gwen Stefani’s Jose Luis and Austyns Stancil as they take on Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” for a spot in the Knockouts.
As Austyns sings out his first assured lyric, Jose stands in the shadows looking very nervous. Both singers’ Blind Auditions resulted in 4-chair turns. Austyns is older and more confident than the younger Luis, but the latter manages to hold his own with his unique tone. Both vocalists display impressive range and beautiful harmonies. Who will Gwen choose?
Reba McEntire called the performance “fantastic,” adding “Y’alls vocal ability is totally different, but both your vocal ability is huge.” She loved the way both singers played off the audience and also their “polished” choreography. “Everything was just so perfect,” she said, abstaining from choosing a winner.
Snoop Dogg confessed there were a couple of moments where he caught “the gangster holy ghost.” He felt that it didn’t feel like a battle. “It felt like you guys were together,” he said. “Working with each other allowing each other to have that space to show your vocal abilities.” He added, “You had no problem stepping back and allowing each other to have that moment.” He promised to steal the losing singer (each coach gets to steal two losing artists).
“You both could win The Voice”
“You guys looked like you were having so much fun,” said Michael Buble. “You lit this place up.” Michael hinted that he would also steal the losing singer, “It almost speaks more to who Gwen Stefani is. If this doesn’t show you the kindness and goodness of Gwen Stefani to gift one of you to us.”
After lamenting the lack of help her fellow coaches gave her, Gwen gushed over her two team members. “You made me look so good right now.” She called Austyns “so cool” and noted that he listened to her notes. “Everything landed perfectly.” To Jose she said, “You have this gift. Your voice is so powerful and so expressive, you could do anything with your voice in the whole world.” She finished, “You both could win The Voice.”
Who will Gwen choose to move on to the Knockouts? And will the losing artist be stolen? Tune into The Voice Monday October 28 at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC to find out! The series also streams next day on Peacock.
