The Voice must always find a way to stay fresh without losing its originality. A big part of that is choosing the right people for the show. Whether they are coaches or mentors, they need to fit well with the competition.
The latest Battle Round episode starts with a fun introduction of this season’s mentors, featuring Chapell Roan’s song “Hot to Go” in the background. The show brings in modern voices like Chapell Roan and Coco Jones. However, Kate Hudson seems like an unusual choice.
Kate Hudson even laughs at herself, saying, “I should stop saying awesome,” before the show plays a blooper reel of her saying the word repeatedly. Many millennials, including me, can relate to overusing the word, but something about Kate Hudson saying it feels out of place. Adam Levine calls her a “badass,” but her presence as a mentor remains confusing.
For those eager to move on to the next stage of the competition, the good news is that this is the final night of Battles. Host Carson Daly confirms that we are moving toward the Knockouts.
While I will miss Cynthia Erivo every week, I know I can still watch her in Wicked on Peacock. This episode sets the stage for what’s coming next. The coaches must be strategic. Will they make the right choices? Unfortunately, they don’t.
Also Read: ‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 6 Recap: Surprising Choices, Emotional Performances, and Big Saves!
Kelsea Ballerini Faces Challenges with Her Team
Kelsea Ballerini begins the night with her singers, Iris Herrera and Simone Marijic. Iris brings a free-spirited energy but admits she is not familiar with Little Big Town. Simone, however, seems like a genuine fan. They perform “Girl Crush,” which has broad appeal, but a more unique song choice could have made things more exciting.
Little Big Town gives advice on chemistry and harmony, something both singers struggle with individually. Simone is part of an a cappella group, so she should naturally blend with another voice.
That means Iris must match her level. Kelsea wants to highlight their personalities and chooses “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine. While the song feels modern, it does not bring out the best in their voices.
Both singers shine in their solo moments, with Simone’s pure voice fitting the song better. However, their harmonies do not work well. The chorus sounds off-key. Iris has a strong vibrato that throws Simone off tune, even though Simone’s straighter notes are technically correct.
Iris overpowers Simone in a way that does not help the performance. The coaches act as if the harmonies were great, but they clearly were not. Kelsea gives the win to Iris, even though her voice clashed with Simone’s. Pairing them together was not a smart decision.
Michael Bublé steps in at the last second and uses his steal to save Simone. He waits until the very last moment, just before she walks off stage, and says, “I know what I want, and I know how to get good ratings.”
Some Battles Get Cut from the Episode
The show does not air every Battle in full. One match-up that gets heavily edited is Jessica Manalo versus Dan Kiernan. They perform Chapell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe.” This is a disappointing cut because both singers delivered strong Blind Auditions. Jessica’s haunting version of “Unholy” was unforgettable. This Battle deserved to be shown in full. Dan Kiernan wins, which means Jessica leaves the competition.
Kelsea Ballerini gets another chance to make a decision in a shortened Battle. Robert Hunter and Page Mackenzie perform Morgan Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies.” Page wins and moves forward.
Michael Bublé’s Difficult Choice Sends a Strong Singer Home
Cynthia Erivo gives her final mentorship advice before leaving the show. If The Voice ever needs a new coach, they should give her a call. She is perfect for the role.
Michael Bublé pairs Dimitrius Graham and Divighn together. Both singers have a similar style, so this match-up is about figuring out which one fits Michael’s vision. Unlike Iris earlier, Dimitrius knows exactly who Cynthia Erivo is. He thanks her for helping him through a dark time in his life.
Their bond feels real, and an old photo of them proves they have met before. Divighn does not have that same connection, but he does have a wife, so he jokes that it’s “almost the same.”
This pair gets a special opportunity that no other contestants receive. Cynthia Erivo sings with them during their practice session. She stays seated but holds a mic and performs along with them. I am not jealous. You are.
Michael Bublé picks “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic, explaining that the song restored his faith in modern music. It is smooth, stylish, and a great choice. The two singers, nicknamed Double D, bring their best energy to the performance. Divighn stands out with his stage presence, while Dimitrius delivers impressive vocal runs.
The coaches criticize them, saying their voices sound muddy together. They also say Divighn’s confidence overshadows Dimitrius. It’s unclear if this criticism is fair or if the coaches are simply being extra picky because both singers are talented.
Michael Bublé makes his hardest decision of the night and chooses Divighn as the winner. Dimitrius, unfortunately, leaves without a save or steal.
Adam Levine Takes a Risk with His Song Choices
Adam Levine returns to The Voice and sits in Blake Shelton’s old chair. The show might hope this gives him a little country magic. However, when he pairs two country singers, he chooses a non-country song.
Trevon Dawson and Tyler Kae sing Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You.” Neither singer knows who Kate Hudson is, and they are confused about singing a song older than them.
Kate Hudson gives them solid advice, saying the song needs an explosion in the chorus. She even demonstrates with her own voice, proving she sounds good without autotune.
Adam tries to push Trevon outside of his comfort zone, hoping to make him appeal to a broader audience. Trevon does well vocally but lacks confidence on stage. Tyler’s voice fits the song naturally. She even nails Avril Lavigne’s signature “yodel” sound. She could easily record this for a movie soundtrack.
Adam still picks Trevon, even though Tyler was more comfortable with the song. This decision eliminates her from the competition.
Kelsea Ballerini Uses Her Steal at the Last Moment
Adam Levine’s final Battle features Conor James against Tinika Wyatt. These two singers are very different. Conor is young and excited, while Tinika represents experience and maturity.
Conor fangirls over Kate Hudson, calling her a “triple threat.” He claims to have watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days more than once. Kate Hudson finds this flattering.
Adam chooses “How Deep Is Your Love?” by The Bee Gees. This is not modern, but it is a classic. Conor’s smooth voice highlights his range, while Tinika sings with depth and emotion. She connects with the song on a personal level.
Adam praises Tinika but ultimately picks Conor because he sees him as a “unicorn” in the competition. Just when it seems like Tinika is leaving, Kelsea slams her button and steals her. This means Tinika stays in the competition on Team Kelsea.
The Voice Moves Into the Knockouts with Some Surprises
As the Knockouts begin, it’s hard to say who has the strongest team. The coaches let go of some talented singers, and a few decisions seem questionable. The competition now moves into an exciting phase, and only time will tell who will come out on top.
The Voice Battles: A Night of Bold Moves and Shocking Decisions
The latest episode of The Voice delivered an emotional rollercoaster as the Battles came to a close. Coaches made surprising choices, unexpected steals changed the game, and some talented singers were sent home too soon.
One of the most shocking moments came when Michael Bublé hesitated until the last second before stealing Simone Marijic. She had delivered a strong performance but lost to Iris Herrera. Just as she was about to exit, Michael hit his button, proving he had a strategy all along.
Adam Levine also made a controversial choice by picking Trevon Dawson over Tyler Kae. The two performed Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You,” but Tyler’s voice fit the song better. Despite this, Adam chose Trevon, leaving the audience stunned.
Kelsea Ballerini, however, balanced things out by saving Tinika Wyatt. After a heartfelt performance of “How Deep Is Your Love?” Tinika was initially eliminated, but Kelsea’s steal gave her another chance.
As the show moves into the Knockouts, the competition is heating up. With some singers gaining momentum and others barely surviving eliminations, it’s anyone’s game. The Battles may be over, but the real fight has just begun.
Don’t miss The Voice Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock.
Also Read: ‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 7 Recap: Battles Continue as Coaches Fight for the Best
