The Voice 26 Recap: Knockouts Premiere Live Blog Results with Videos
The Voice season 26 3-way Knockouts begin 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
Austyns Stancil, Christina Eagle, Jake Tankersley – Team Snoop
Sting shares how he taught school before he became a professional singer. Jake, a country singer, seems familiar with Sting’s songs.
Austyns Stancil – Dance with my Father by Luther Vandross
It’s the one year anniversary of the death of Austyns father. Snoop stresses that he should not cry during the performance, but keep it together for his dad. After the singer performs at rehearsal, Snoop gives him a healing hug and then cries thinking of the death of his own mother. Sting says he felt Austyn’s “sweet regret,” but suggested he not allow emotions to intrude on delivery.
Austyns delivers a Luther-inspired version of the song. He’s not really making it his own song. But his tone and falsetto are gorgeous. He hits some non-Luther-like high notes! Also, he keeps it together during the performance.
Christina Engel – My Church by Maren Morris
So….Christina is a country singer who isn’t mad at Maren Morris. Snoop urges her to use her growl and make the song her own. “I’d be at church every Sunday,” Sting remarks on her performance.
The singer swoops her way through the song. It’s not a bad thing. She brings personality and spunk to the church, along with growly good vocals. She gets the crowd going at the end of the song. It’s not exactly a barn burner, but appealing nevertheless. She’s got stage presence.
Jake Tankersley – Going Going Gone by Luke Combs
Sting compliments the singer’s range. He suggested that he always find something new when interpreting a song.
Sometimes Jake doesn’t hit his lowest notes, but he’s doing it here. His tone is made for country radio-sonorous and pleasing. He tends to plant in one place on stage. But that’s a thing he can work on. Christina is more fun to watch.
Reba calls Austyns “spirit filled.” She says to Christina “You were having fun with it.” She appreciated Jake’s big round voice. Gwen mentions Austyns was on her team. She thinks Christina is really special. She felt Jake sang it like it was his own. Michael thinks Snoop is great at coaching The Voice. He wants to be like Jake. He loves Christina becoming a “super hero” on stage. Michael thought Austyns nailed his performance Michael would pick him. Snoop calls Christina his “spirit animal., and thanks Jake for taking his advice.
Snoop picks Austyns and then SAVES Christina. But then Reba, Gwen and Michael steal her! Christina sticks with Snoop. Reba and Gwen STEAL Jake. Gwen blocked Reba during the blinds and because of that Jake picks Gwen!
Jaukeem Fortson, Cassidy Lee, Adam Bohanan – Team Reba
Jennifer Hudson is back and it’s probably because she has a Christmas album to promote.
Adam Bohanan – Colors by the Black Pumas
Adam describes growing up multi-racial. He doesn’t always pass as black, so he’s experienced racism from several corners. Jennifer suggests that he give the audience more. Allow the “dirty tone” to come through. Reba wants to see more of his eyes. Reba was the only one to turn for Adam
Adam sings the kind of music I enjoy. He’s all gritty vocals and bluesy riffs. Maybe The Voice isn’t the best spot for him, though. He delivered here, but it may not be good enough.
Cassidy Lee – Love Me Like a Man by Bonnie Raitt
The singer doesn’t usually perform blues–she’s a rocker–but she wants to show the coaches a different side. Cassidy was a no-turn. “Be present in the song,” says Jennifer. Reba stole Cassidy from Team Buble.
Again, this is my kind of song. Early Bonnie was deeply rooted in the blues. Fun fact: I knew the writer of this song, Chris Smither (and his wife). I’m not sure Cassidy should abandon big showy rock sounds, however. Although like Adam, she delivered.
Jaukeem Forson – God Only Knows by King and Country
Jakukeem just turned 14. He shares that ninth grade has been hard! Wow. And then his sings and his talent is unbelievably mature. Jennifer suggests that he not rush through the beginning.
Jaukeem is the Unicorn of The Voice season 26. At only 14, he sings like the second coming of Michael Jackson. What I mean bu that–watch early performances of an 11 year old MJ. He was unbelievably mature and confident.
Snoop thinks Adam had the right feeling. He admires the way Cassidy came back. But of course, he would go with Jaukeem. Gwen calls Adam mindblowing. She can’t choose. Michael thinks Jaukeem has an incredible career in front of him. But he thinks Adam had the best performance. Reba calls Jaukeem a miracle. She thinks Adam knows what he’s doing. She compliments Cassidy’s blues style.
Reba picks Adam! WOW! YAY! Michael steals Jaukeem, Cassidy is eliminated. Someone stealing Jaukeem was inevitable.
Camryn Brooks, Deon Jones, Jose Luis – Team Gwen
Gwen saw The Police in eighth grade. Years later, she inducted Sting into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Camryn Brooks – Glitter in the Air by P!NK
She chose to sing her mother’s favorite song. The singer was a no-turn chair and then battled heart problems in 2021. Gwen wants more from her facial expressions. Sting suggests she explore the extremes in the song
Camryn’s beautiful alto tone is perfect for this song. She performs with passion and emotions and gorgeous phrasing and dynamics.
Deon Jones – Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner
Sting mentions that he knew Tina. He suggests Deon take off his jacket and also do vocal exercises. He feels the clothing might be constrictive. Deon shares that he was shot in the face with rubber bullets by police during the George Floyd protests. It shattered his cheekbone.
His growly old-school style that includes dance moves and leg kicks is entertaining. But his voice sounds like he is battling vocal issues, and his timing is off in spots. The moving around leaves him breathless at times. But he strips off his shirt and wiggles his butt! Fun to watch–but vocals need work.
Jose Luis – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love) by Ariana Grande
Jose shares the loss of confidence he experienced after a bad relationship Gwen feels Jose is holding back. She suggests he open up. “Engage us with your eyes,” says Sting.
He’s got an interesting tone that stands out. At one point he floats up into his falsetto with ease. Yet his chest voice is strong and powerful. There is something unique about this vocalist.
Michael congrats Camryn on tackling a tough song. He compliments Deon’s showmanship. He’d pick Jose, though. Snoop “James Browned” Deon. He calls Jose a star. Reba feels Jose turned into a confident performance. Gwen thought Camryn and Deon did a great job, but calls Jose “unbelievable.”
Gwen picks Jose, Camryn and Deon are eliminated
Sloan Simon, Cameron Wright (Tanner Frick DROPPED OUT after rehearsals!)
Hm. I wonder what happened to Tanner. Michael reveals that he and Jennifer worked together before.
Cameron Wright – You’re All You Need to Get By by Marvin Gaye, Tami Terrell
The singer is dedicating the song to their partner whom they’ve been with for 8 years. Jennifer advises that Cameron put their joy in the physicality of the performance. Additionally, Michael says to show it in their face.
Like Jose, Cameron has a tone that stands out. Their tenor floats easily into a beautiful falsetto. Cameron’s range is impressive. Dynamics could be better and more powerful, although the singer turns it on at the end of the performance.
Sloan Simon – Can’t Catch Me Now by Olivia Rodrigo
Her father is battling cancer, and she’s dedicating the song to him. Jennifer mentions that performing on TV is different than performing on stage. “draw them in with your eyes.”
Sloan’s voice is pretty, but not particularly strong. She brings more to the performance near the end, along with some longer notes. But I waited for more, and didn’t get it.
Snoop is impressed that Cameron tackled a duet. he thinks Sloan sounded like she was in a movie. Reba appreciated the way Sloan moved around the stage. She complimented Cameron’s range. Gwen sticks up for her former team member. She’d pick Sloan.
Michael picks Cameron, and then SAVES Sloan
