The Voice 26 Recap: Battles Premiere Live Blog Results with Videos
The Voice season 26 Battles kick off tonight alongside new coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg and returning vets Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the epic Battle performances and RESULTS right here.
The Top 56 artists are divided into four teams of 14. The coaches pair up their team members and pick a song for a duet. After the performance, the coach declares the winner who will move on to the Knockout round. The loser can be stolen by a fellow coach. Each coach gets two steals. If no steal, the artist leaves the competition
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Christina Eagle vs Gail Bliss – Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson – Team Snoop
During the artist’s mentor session, Snoop reminds the audience that he used his Coaches Replay on Gail. Both artists are excited to be paired up. Gail shares that she majored in ag in college and rode motorcycles with her dad. Christina, whose parents were killed in separate car accidents, is younger than Gail, but Snoop describes her having the “it” factor. Snoop explains that performing features allowed him to dabble in many genres across the board. He’s still handing out gifts. He gives them both branded jackets.
The performance is spirited. Both bring energy to the stage. But Christina has the advantage here. She’s got charisma and youth on her side. Still, the two play off each other beautifully. The stage choreography is impressive, with the two kicking the air at a key moment. Snoop danced his way though the performance.
“Way to bring the party to town,” said Reba. She calls them “sisters” having fun. She doesn’t pick a side. Gwen can’t believe Christina isn’t signed to a record label. “Super sassy, super cool,” she says. While she believes that Gail also has it all, she couldn’t keep her eyes off Christina. Michael compliments the song choice. “I was digging every single second.” He won’t pick either. Snoop gets a little misty. He’s happy that the pair took his notes. Snoop chooses the person who has the most potential. Snoop picks Christina, Gail is eliminated.
Sloan Simon vs Sydney Sterlace – Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish – Team Gwen
Both are teenaged, but Sydney is only 15 years old and describes Sloan as a “big sister.” Sydney seems older that 15! Sloan got two turns for her Blind Audition. The 19 year old adores Gwen. Sydney was a 4 chair turn. But the singer admits Gwen was her first choice. After her audition, Sloan found out that her dad’s chemotherapy treatments failed. He urged her to continue, nevertheless. In their mentoring session, Gwen asks for more angst and sassiness from Sydney. She suggests they film themselves and watch back. “Dig into your truth,” says Gwen, “Dirty it up.”
Sydney is that rare young singer, who performs with confidence and maturity. Was she born that way? It’s a little crazy. She’s going to go far in this competition, no doubt. Sloan is good, but her floaty tone is dwarfed by Sydney’s rich effortless tone and phrasing. The coaches say Sydney isn’t ready and Sloan is more composed. But Sydney has something extra. She could be a season dark horse.
Michael felt nerves from Sydney. He would “lean” towards Sloan. Snoop was “thrilled.” He’s glad he doesn’t need to make a decision. He won’t pick a side. Reba compliments their strong presence. But like Michael, she’d go with Sloan. Gwen was surprised by Sloan’s sparkly personality. Gwen calls Sydney a “bud.” She thinks Sloan is a little more ready. Gwen picks Sydney, Michael Reba and Snoop steal Sloan.
Michael has wanted Sloan from the beginning. He thinks she could win. Reba calls Sloan a polished performer. Snoop also thinks Sloan could win, and he’s the person to help. Sloan picks Michael.
Alison Elena vs Kendall Eugene – Bring on Rain by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw – Team Reba
Kendall was Reba’s Coaches Replay pick. Reba picked Alison as her last team member after she sang Carrie Underwood’s “So Small.” Reba gives them advice on their harmonies. She stresses camaraderie. “You’re telling a story, live that,” Reba advises.
Alison is less of a Carrie clone on this performance. Now, I’m noticing her pretty bell-like tone. On the other hand, Kendall is raspy and forceful. Yet, the two manage to make their harmonies work. It’s a lovely performance.
Snoop enjoyed the pair’s engagement. If he had to choose…but he does not! So Snoop will refrain. Gwen calls the performance “just beautiful.” She calls Alison “so pure.” But she won’t pick either. Michael appreciated Alison’s ease. He’d pick Alison. Reba loves Kendall’s gravelly voice, but she also loves Alisan’s sweet voice. Reba picks Kendall, Alison is eliminated. She made the correct decision. He brought intensity to his performance.
Eliza Pryor vs Mikaela Ayira – A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton – Team Snoop
The two teen singers have become good friends. Mikaela shares about losing her nana a few years ago. She got turns from Snoop and Reba. Singing helped Eliza come out of her shell. So did horse riding. Snoop turned for Eliza at the last minute after a performance of “Linger.” Snoop advises them to keep their voices the same and not overpower each other. He coaches Mikaela not to overuse runs (which she was doing).
Both young singers are fairly underbaked. Eliza is more ready to move forward than Mikaela, who doesn’t have control over her voice yet. She needs to work on timing and breath control. At least she ditched the extraneous runs.
Reba calls the performance “a roller coaster.” She won’t pick. Gwen thinks Eliza’s voice sounded like the record. She appreciates Mikaela’s tone. She won’t pick either. Michael calls both singers talented. “It was really perfection.” Snoop thanks them for taking his advice. He’s basing his decision on how he feels. “It hurts my heart.” Snoop picks Mikaela, Eliza is eliminated. Bad choice. But he thinks he can help Mikaela overcome her flaws.
Jaylen Dunham vs Jan Dan – For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder- Team Gwen
Jan shares that his wife is pregnant with their first child. Jaylen is Gwen’s coaches replay. Jan is 29 while Jaylen is a young teen at 14. Gwen compliments Jan’s chill body language. She notes that Jaylen doesn’t always hit the notes because his voice is changing (why he didn’t get a turn). Gwen advises that they practice, practice, practice.
At 14, Jaylen is not ready yet. He has MAJOR problems staying on pitch and his timing is not good. These are fixable issues. He needed to wait a couple of years. On the other hand, Jan has a smooth style. He’s understated, but tasteful. Gwen can’t say no to a young singer. We’ll see how it goes (She should pick Jan).
Michael loved the way Jaylen performed the song. He compliments Jan’s runs. “You have a lot of time to get real good,” Snoop says about Jaylen. He appreciates that Jan looked out for Jaylen. Reba is emotional noting the bond between the two Jan reveals that his wife is DUE TODAY. So, she had that baby for sure. Gwen picks the person who is ready right now. Jan Dan. Jaylen is eliminated. Here is an idea: In a couple of years, Jaylen should audition for American Idol.
Kiara Vega vs Mor Ilderton – Iris by Goo Goo Dolls – Team Buble
Both singers are teens. Kiara sang in Spanish for her Blind Audition. Michael chose a song a little out of both singers lane. He wants to teach them to stretch themselves. Kiara just finished cosmetology school. She wants to open a salon with her twin. Mor works with his uncle. He confesses that he’s never harmonized before. But Michael wants to hear harmonies on the chorus.
Both singers bring something special to the stage. They each boast distinctive styles. Kiara was worried about a song out of her comfort zone, but she’s delivering the song confidently. Mor has the kind of voice that cuts right through and would fit in on today’s pop charts.
Reba is crying. Snoop calls the performance amazing. Snoop continues to refuse to pick. Reba calls Mor a stylist. She would pick him Gwen appreciates Kiara’s stage presence. But she’s drawn to Mor’s unique style. Michael claims that he’s changed his mind four times about who to choose. In the end, Michael picks Kiara, He gives Mor his phone number. Gwen steals Mor at the last minute.
Programming note! Tuesday’s episode is 90 minutes and begins at 8:30 ET/PT.
