The Voice has reached the Battle Rounds, and the coaches are calling in the big guns to help mentor the up-and-coming artists on their teams. Jennifer Hudson brings in former Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland, while Blake Shelton finds his strength in numbers with the band Rascal Flatts. Adam Levine goes the heartthrob route, asking Joe Jonas to consult with his team, and Miley Cyrus relies on her famous dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, to give her team an edge.
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Lucas Holiday vs. Meagan McNeal (“My Prerogative”)
Team Jennifer has to go first in the Battle Rounds, but with her pal Kelly Rowalnd, they’re getting lots of good advice. However, nobody envies her decision because these two have incredible voices. In rehearsals, both Meagan and Lucas are bringing their own special brand of fire, but they begin to let the nerves get the best of them. By the end, they seem like they’re shouting over each other, and J-Hud has to rein them in some.
Their performance reflects her coaching, and they bring the house down with their Bobby Brown cover. Everyone is on their feet. It takes a lot of coaxing to get Jennifer to declare the winner.
Winner: Lucas Holliday
He’s got actual fans on the coaching panel. Adam says he’s “the reason people love this show” and wonders “how does [he] even exist”? Unfortunately for Meagan, nobody steals her away.
Moriah Formica vs. Shilo Gold (“American Woman”)
Miley recruits her dad as her mentor for obvious reasons. The nearness of the cast of Hannah Montana makes the two singers a little starstruck, but they pull out of it — or at least Moriah does once she straps her guitar on. Shilo is a little less confident in her performance, but Billy Ray is quick with some encouraging words.
These two ladies are a force to be reckoned with. The coaches are definitely rooting for Moriah in this duel, even though Shilo holds her own.
Winner: Moriah Formica
It becomes clear once the coaches start reacting to the performance that Moriah is the clear winner. Once they start throwing around terms like “rock goddess” and “old soul,” you know they’ve picked a winner.
Keisha Renee vs. Noah Mac (“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”)
This is an ambitious pick for Blake, but if anybody can help these folks get it right, it’s Rascal Flatts. Blake has chosen Elvis’ version of the hit, and it might just be the absolute saddest song in the history of the world. Noah feels a little too inexperienced, at 17 years old, to really be able to nail the emotion. Keisha, on the other, has to get her tone under control to honor the song’s message.
Rehearsals don’t go as well as some of the other teams, but they pull it together for the performance. None of the coaches can come down on either side, but ultimately Blake makes the hard decision.
Winner: Keisha Renee
Blake tellls Keisha she “could fly” with her voice, and that puts her ahead of Noah, in the coaches’ opinion.
Steal: Jennifer nabs Noah at the very last second and now he’s part of Team J-Hud.
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Chris Weaver vs. Kathrina Feigh (“Dangerous Woman”)
Jennifer and Kelly have to coral these big voices. Both of the performers have a lot of personality, so competing against each other has them inside their own heads a little. Jennifer and Kelly offer advice to maximize the impact, and their version of the Ariana Grande song is definitely powerful. The coaches acknowledge Chris’ “force of nature” voice, but they also give Kathrina her due for hanging in there with him. Jennifer gives her the credit for it.
Winner: Chris Weaver
Poor Kathrina just can’t compete with that “freight train” of a voice, and Chris wins the duel.
Steal: Blake is not ready to let Kathrina go home, and he steals her away. He can recognize great talent when he sees it.
Brooke Simpson vs. Sophia Bollman (“You’re a Big Girl Now”)
Miley is picking a feminine-themed set list, and this Bob Dylan song is a sweet tribute to her all-female team. The ladies come together nicely, and their voices blend beautifully. They have lots of nice things to say to these young ladies, not the least of which is that Sophia looks like Shakira. Miley reaffirms her commitment to both the singers, but she can only pick one.
Winner: Brooke Simpson
Adam Pearce vs. Whitney Fenimore (“Stop Dragging My Heart Around”)
Adam Levine knows how to pick a duet, and this Tom Petty classic is exactly what these two performers need. They struggle to find their own lane in rehearsals, but Adam and his guest mentor, Joe Jonas, gives just enough instruction and encouragement to get them back on track. Joe Jonas says he would go to their concert right now.
I would definitely have to agree. They sound amazing. This duet could stop traffic and might just be the best of the night, and this decision is the hardest of all.
Winner: Adam Pearce
Even though Adam L. claims he fell in love with both of them, he ultimately goes with the long-haired Adam P.
Steal: It’s a double steal, with Miley and Blake hitting their buttons to scoop her up before she can get away. Like the smart cookie that she is, Whitney goes with Miley and her all-female team.
Who had the best performance of this episode? Are you as impressed with Adam and Whitney as I am? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Voice season 13 airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC. Want more news? Like our Facebook page.
(Image and videos courtesy of NBC)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
I am a freelance writer and critic, blogging about pop culture, and how it effects our shared identities. I absolutely love TV and will watch anything once, and I love to talk about TV. So, it makes sense that I am also an University professor teaching courses in, popular culture and mass media.
