The Voice 26 Semi-Final Top 8 ranked: How would you rate them?
The good news. The Voice 26 live shows are finally here. The bad news. The live shows are only TWO WEEKS LONG. Gotta be budget cuts, right? Remember the days of Live Playoffs followed by five weeks of finals? Oh well.
In any case, During the three-part Playoffs, coaches Gwen Stefani, Michael Buble, Snoop Dogg and Reba McEntire each chose two singers to move on to this week’s live Semi-final. The Top 8 singers will perform live on Monday (12/2). After the episode, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite singer.
On Tuesday (12/3) the four singers voted through by fans will be revealed. Then, the remaining four singers will perform for the Instant-Save. The winner will take the fifth spot. Next week, the Top 5 will perform in the finale for a chance to WIN The Voice season 26.
Now, with the live shows kicking off, it’s time to rank the contestants. How would you rate them?
The Voice 26 Top 8 Ranking
8 Sydney Sterlace – Team Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani loves her young, moldable teen singers, which is probably why she chose Sydney Sterlace over a much stronger singer like Gabrielle Zabosky or more interesting vocalist like Jose Luis, at the Playoffs. Gwen isn’t going to get much improvement out of Sydney in only one or two sessions. Once she finds her identity, works more on her phrasing and breath control, she’ll be a pretty good singer. But not right now.
7. Adam Bohanan – Team Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire is the coach who actually picked the best artists out of all of her Playoffs singers, even though both are kind of similar. I’m not complaining! Adam has a laid back bluesey and soulful style that could slip by voters. But he sings with confidence and his phrasing is deceptively inventive. Still, the showier singers will likely surpass him.
6. Christina Eagle – Team Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg ditched his R&B singers at the Playoffs, even the polished and unique vocalist, Austyns Stancil. But he’s shown over the course of this first season as a coach, that he loves working with artists of all genres and seemed hell-bent on having a country singer on his team. Christina performs with energy and solid stage presence. But she was a one chair turn. Vocally, as far as The Voice goes, she’s a middling country music singer.
5. Jeremy Beloate – Team Snoop Dogg
And Snoop’s second artist is the theatrical and talented Jeremy Beloate who knows how to deliver a show stopper. How he finishes the competition will have everything to do with Snoop song choice for him. He needs a great song that showcases Jeremy’s big rangy voice. PLEASE NO WHITNEY OR MARIAH.
4. Jan Dan – Team Gwen Stefani
Jan is the only pure R&B singer competing in the semi-finals. However, the singer has a penchant for choosing songs outside of the R&B lane, like the Kansas classic, “Dust in the Wind.” As an interpreter, Jan is intriguing which is likely why Gwen stuck with him. With the right out-of-the-box song, Jan could ensure his place in next week’s finale.
3. Shye – Team Michael Bublé
Shye is another teen. But unlike many of her cohort, she sings with maturity and ability beyond her young years. Her unique contralto is gorgeous whether she’s singing a pop hit like One Direction’s “Story of My Life” or Katy Perry’s “One That Got Away.” This singer knows how to tell an emotional story with her voice. I’ll be shocked if she does not make the finals.
2. Danny Joseph – Team Reba McEntire
Danny’s gritty bluesy vocals and his expert guitar playing deserves a spot in the finals. His super-raspy voice isn’t perfect or rangy. But he is a compelling presence on stage. His melding of rock, soul and blues is unforgettable. Plus, his guitar playing is the icing on top of the cake. Danny knows how to RIP.
1. Sofronio Vasquez – Team Michael Bublé
Sofronio’s beautiful rendition of “Crying” by Roy Orbison has garnered over 1 million views on Youtube. His 4-chair turn Blind Audition has earned over 2.5 million views!!! His numbers are leaps and bounds beyond his fellow contestants. But, the singer is from the Philippines and is likely attracting hits from fans across the world–many who can’t vote. Nevertheless, Sofronio is a belter. But he sings with polish and finesse. He can phrase a song and hit the high notes without oversinging. He’d never heard “Crying” before Michael handed it to him. Still, he nailed it! If I had to pick a winner now, it would be Sofronio. By the way, Michael has the strongest overall team in the lives, BY FAR.
