In Partnership with The Voice
As Season 13 of The Voice enters the epic Knockouts, the show is delivering more unexpected twists and turns than ever before. So who did the coaches choose, and what drama unfolded along the way?
For those new to the show, the Battles are not just about showcasing vocal chops; they’re a test of survival. Each coach must cut down their teams from 12 to seven while navigating big emotional and musical choices – everything from pairing artists to selecting the perfect song.
First, let’s take a look at what the coaches were looking for in their teams this season.
Team Kate: The Growth Gambit
Kate Miller-Heidke’s team showcased a blend of raw talent, starting with Liz Player and Jaymee Lancaster who faced off with a haunting rendition of “Pure Imagination” by Gene Wilder. Both contestants delivered performances worthy of the spotlight, but Miller-Heidke opted for Lancaster. Her decision was influenced by Jaymee’s potential for growth, reflecting Kate’s strategy of nurturing talent in the competition.
In another dramatic match-up, MJ Doherty and Mathew Hearne battled it out with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers. Although both brought strong performances, Miller-Heidke chose Hearne for his superior technique.
The night’s emotional highlight came when real-life couple Jenna Hudson and Yorke Heath battled against each other with Paramore’s “The Only Exception”, culminating in Heath’s surprise on-stage proposal to Hudson. It’s clear Miller-Heidke’s tactic is to build a team of artists who she feels have the most potential for growth within the competition, and we’re excited to see how this plays out for her.
Team Adam: The All-Star Extravaganza
On Adam Lambert’s team, the stakes were high and the show was on. After a last-minute song pivot, Annie Jones and Aaron Hayard’s performance of “River” by Bishop Briggs showcased their mix of talent and theatrics. Adam was particularly impressed by 16-year-old Jones’s stage presence and vocal ability, a testament to his skill in spotting emerging stars.
The next showdown saw Siena and Kaitlin Martin tackling Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license.” Siena emerged victorious thanks to her nuanced performance and vocals, which Lambert could see taking her further in the competition.
Team Adam is all about presence and performance, a no-brainer considering his resume. He likes to get contestants out of their heads and onto the stage – but will his strategy see him end up with a winner?
Team LeAnn: The Emotional Side
Over on LeAnn Rimes’ team, performances were a masterclass in emotional depth. Natalie Colavito and Amber Sindoni’s rendition of “Take Me to Church” by Hozier showcased Rimes’s commitment to drawing out the emotion in her artists. Rimes chose Colavito over Sindoni, with a nod to the intensity she brought to the song. On the pop front, Rimes’s selection of “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo was a strategic move to drive the “anger and raw emotion” out in her artists, urging them to connect with their audience through their performances.
Rimes’s duo, Michael and Violeta, delivered a captivating performance of “Say Something” against Laura Glynn, earning a standing ovation, but ultimately Rimes had to make the hard choice of going ahead with Glynn. Michael and Violeta, who were saved by both Lambert and Miller-Heidke, opted to go with the latter as their new coach.
In a memorable performance of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”, Duncan Toombs and Letitia Butler poured their hearts into the song. While Butler emerged as the winner, Rimes saved Toombs as well, advancing both artists to the Knockouts.
Team Guy: The Whole Package
The Battles in Team Guy stood out as some of the most compelling in the competition. With his long-standing association with the show, Sebastian’s goal is clear: to build a team of artists capable of making an impact in the industry after the competition. He knows what it takes to be a star and wants his team to bring those qualities to the table.
In the first sequinned Battle between Shannen Wick and Paea Havili, Sebastian chose Wick for her distinctive voice and potential for growth. Beau Shearer and Kyle Wilson performed “Stick Season,” with the former’s performance securing him a spot in the Knockouts. After a powerful rendition of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, Sebastian chose to advance Roland Williams over Jaydin Shingleton, rounding out a team of artists with the whole package – vocals, confidence and stage presence. But in a dramatic turn of events, all four coaches saved Shingleton, who decided to stick with his original coach Sebastian for the Knockouts.
A Dramatic Ending
As the Battles concluded, the surprises kept coming. Arthur Hull was eliminated from Team Guy but was saved at the last moment by Lambert, whose intervention literally sent Hull to his knees.
After country singers Brad Butcher and Tori Darke faced off with Bryan Adams’ “Please Forgive Me” in an epic performance, coach Rimes, finding it hard to make a decision, threw a curveball proposing they continue as a country-rock duo in the Knockouts. Bucher and Darke accepted the proposal, looking forward to their first duet together.
The night ended with a dramatic announcement: Matthew Haerne withdrew from the competition for an opportunity to join a musical theatre show, leaving Team Kate with one empty spot. Miller-Heidke was granted a wildcard to invite any one of the eliminated artists from the Battles on her team.
The competition on The Voice is fiercer than ever. With each twist and turn, the series continues to deliver breathtaking performances, musical thrills, and unforgettable moments. Tune in next Sunday to witness the toughest stage of the competition: the Knockouts, a challenging round where teams go from seven to two.
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