The Voice 26 Recap: Knockouts 2 Live Blog Results with Videos
The Voice season 26 3-way Knockouts continue 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 Knocklut performances and RESULTS right here.
The Top 36 artists are divided into 9 teams of 3. The coaches pick three team members. Each will perform a song of their own choosing. After the performance, the coach declares the winner who will move on to the Playoffs. The losers can be saved by their coach or stolen by another team. Each coach gets a save and a steal. If no steal or save happens, the artist leaves the competition.
American Idol alum and former The Voice coach Jennifer Hudson, plus rock legend Sting will serve as mega-mentors for the panel. Sting will help Team Gwen and Team Snoop. Jennifer will assist Team Buble and Team Reba.
The Voice 2024: Full Season 26 Schedule (UPDATED)
The Voice 26 Taps Jennifer Hudson, Sting as Knockouts Mentors
Felsmere, Gabrielle Zabosky, Kay Sibal – Team Gwen
Felsmere – Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
Her father died 8 years ago and was a fan of her song pick. Felsmere competed on season 1 of The Voice! The first artist to return after previously getting turns and competing on the show. Sting gave her advice on how to interpret the song.
Felsmere delivers the song with a slinky, soulful approach. Her stage moves are also slinky and sexy. She seems comfortable on stage. Yet, her performance is somewhat subdued until she opens up on the bridge. Then, she brings out her growly power.
Gabrielle Zabrosky – Used to be Young by Miley Cyrus
The song reminds her of struggling years ago with substance abuse. Gwen wants more of her “quirky” personality to come through. Sting encourages her to improvise more.
Gabrielle has a POWERFUL voice fully capable of bringing emotion and drama to the stage. Her belty wide range lets go on the chorus. That last note. Wow!
Kay Sibal – One Last Time by Ariana Grande
This time, Kay will accompany herself on piano. Sting notes that her chest is tight. If she loosens up, the singing will improve, he says. Gwen wonders why she’s so uptight. Kay becomes teary as she expresses her insecurities. Sting and Gwen both say it takes a lot of courage to come on a show like The Voice.
Kay accompanies herself on an electronic keyboard. She has a pretty voice! But then she grabs the mic and takes the stage where she belts it out on the chorus. Her dynamic range and phrasing are unexpected and impressive.
Michael calls Kay’s performance beautiful, Felsmere spectacular. But he would choose Gabrielle. Snoop liked the way she interpreted the song. Gabrielle gave him chills. He calls Kay “heartwarming.” Reba compliments Felsmere’s range and control. She calls Kay a “power package” but she would also choose Felsmere. She felt Gabrielle was vulnerable. She loved working with Kay (giving away the result).
Gwen picks Gabrielle, Felsmere and Kay are eliminated.
Katie O, Frankie Torres, Kendall Eugene – Team Reba
Sucks to be Frankie and Kendall because their performances and mentoring sessions with Jennifer Hudson were completely edited out of this montaged performance.
Katie O – Turn On The Radio by Reba McEntire
Katie chose to perform one of Reba’s songs. Reba loves that Katie is country through and through. She gives the singer tips on how to phrase the song. After a short mentoring clip, Katie takes the stage to perform.
Reba picks Katie O, Frankie Torres and Kendall Eugene are eliminated
Edward Preble, J.Paul, Shye -Team Buble
Edward Preble – Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music
Edward chose the song because Frank Sinatra covered it. But folk singer Judy Collins made it famous in the 70s. Michael suggests he pull back on his vibrato. They do vowel work! Very important to standards singers like Edward. Jennifer calls Edward’s song special.
When he stops trying to imitate Sinatra, he might have something special going on. He still has a ways to go with tricky jazz phrasing. But he has potential.
J. Paul – Kiss from a Rose by Seal
So many singing show competitors have flopped on this song. It’s really hard to sing! He and his husband have been together for 15 years. He also serves as the singer’s producer. He asks for tips on not becoming emotional during his performance. Jennifer feels it’s OK to cry, Michael agrees (Snoop and Sting gave the opposite advice to singer last night!)
J Paul chose a suitable song for his beautiful falsetto and manages to deliver a solid version of the song after a slow start. When he begins expertly riffing near the end, he transforms the song into his own.
Shye – The One that Got Away by Katy Perry
The singer is only 17 years old. She used to sing the song to her mom, who got Shye started on social media when she was a kid. Mom struggled with health issues for years. Jennifer feels Shye needs to trust herself more.
If Shye doesn’t make the live shows I’ll eat my shoe. She could be in the finals, for sure. She reminds me of another The Voice (and American Idol alum) We Ani–a young singer who shocked with her deep, emotional and powerful voice. Having said that, her Blind Audition was better. But she’s still something special.
Snoop calls Shye a star, “You made it yours.” He noted that J. Paul held back at first. He compares Edward to Sinatra, calling him a “faster learner.” Reba calls Edward a “mature singer.” Gwen felt J. Paul did his song justice. She calls Shye one of her favorite voices. But she’d pick J Paul. Michael calls Shye’s voice “rich” and “tender.” He calls J. Paul brave. He calls Edward his “amigo” and a “sweet kid.”
Michael picks Shye, Reba steals Edward, J. Paul is eliminated. Aw, Edward told Michael that he made the right pick choosing Shye. Edward is probably relieved to be moving on to the Playoffs. But Michael was the perfect coach for him. Reba maybe not so much….
