‘The Voice’ Season 26 Episode 14 Recap: The Winner Has Already Emerged
Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for ‘The Voice’ Season 26 Episode 14.Night three of the Knockouts is here, and it’s time to celebrate Michael Bublé‘s birthday. Rather than something that would help him win The Voice Season 26, he wishes for the fashion sense of Gwen Stefani, the gorgeous red hair of Reba McEntire, and to get doggie bags from Snoop Dogg every once in a while. What’s inside? Well, this is a family show, so use your imagination. Now Gwen Stefani will tell us that Michael Bublé is notorious for lying, so is he even telling the truth about his birthday?
With two steals and a save, there is some hope for many of the artists. But they must be special in hopes of earning them. The coaches know they, too, have to be strategic to continue stacking their rosters. As each remaining contestant pours their heart and soul into their potentially final performances, it’s the coaches who are gearing up to make some heartbreaking decisions. But some of those decisions may be the difference between winning and losing this season.
Reba McEntire Finally Uses Some Strategy on ‘The Voice’
Even though it’s Bublé’s big day, the third night of Knockouts begins with a trio from Team Reba. She has an interesting Knockout set between Danny Joseph, Lauren-Michael Seller, and Tate Renner, or, as they lovingly joked, DLT. Reba knows that this will be a tough round for her as they are three different singers, who just so happen to be her favorites. But, with her hope of winning back-to-back seasons, she has to make the right decision.
Danny Joseph, the Texas transplant from England, takes on “It Hurt So Bad” by Susan Tedeschi. While wailing on his guitar, Joseph is able to marry his ability to perform rock and blues through this emotionally-driven song. He channels his battle with Crohn’s disease into performance, proving that no matter the pain, he’s in it to win it. His unique ability to bring the past into the present offers his musicality to shine through song. His showmanship is something many others in this season’s competition lack.
Lauren-Michael Seller is an artist who has coasted through this competition through her big voice and her ability to connect to her coach through their connection through faith. Seller uses that once again in her performance of “Hold On To Me” by Lauren Daigle. She has a powerful voice and a beautiful message, but does she have the star power? Seller connects in the room, but can she connect to the viewers at home? Tate Renner is Reba’s tried and true country singer. What’s good about a consistent artist in the genre is the ability to know what you’re going to get. The problem with a consistent country artist is the ability to make a song your own. For Tate Renner, his performance of Jamey Johnson‘s “In Color” lacks any nuance and depth. While the song is special to him, it lacks the uniqueness to help set him apart.
It all comes down to Reba’s big decision. Based solely on performances for a show about vocal ability, Danny Joseph is the strongest. However, she deems the winner of the Knockout to be Lauren-Michael Seller. Once again, it was a decision of the heart. But Reba’s heart was quite big. Before host Carson Daly could remind the coaches that Danny Joseph was available to steal or save, Reba pressed her save button. She was not willing to let anyone else have her rock star. For Tate Renner, his journey has come to an end.
Gwen Stefani Keeps Her Team Together in Episode 14
With Gwen Stefani, she has a one-on-one battle between Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace. It’s the proud new father versus the 15-year-old pop star. Unlike last week when Tanner Frick mysteriously vanished, Gwen tells Sting, the team’s Mega Mentor, that Mor Ilderton had to go home. While his fate on the program would likely have resulted in an elimination, it’s always disappointing when any contestant doesn’t get to see their journey followed through. Coincidence or not, Jan Dan sings “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus. He is eager to put his own spin on the song and showcase his softer sound. It’s fresh and personal. While the new dad is likely very exhausted, having arrived only 20 minutes before his daughter was born, Jan Dan shows why he is there and who he is singing for. He brings a deep connection to the song while keeping the track true to himself.
Sydney Sterlace picks a big song with “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. She feels the slow, emotional ballad is closer to her wheelhouse. While she has not experienced personal heartbreak, she wants to show her emotional range. Is it thanks to taking masterclasses with Broadway stars like Betsy Wolfe? It’s possible, but it seems her anecdote was simply to have something to include in her clip package. There is brute power behind Capaldi’s voice that Sterlace simply has not tapped into yet. She has an Olivia Rodrigo aura to her as an artist, which could mean she could find footing in the industry, but does she have enough to make herself stand out? On paper, this was hands down Jan Dan’s to win. When it comes to making a decision, Gwen Stefani opts to go with Sydney Sterlace as the winner of the Knockout. She’s hoping that the youthful vibe will give her victory. Yet, Jan Dan’s journey isn’t over; Gwen uses her save to keep him alive in the game.
Snoop Dogg Makes an Emotional Decision for His Team
All season long, Snoop Dogg has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving. Some mega superstars come and go on The Voice, having fun along the way. But for the D-O-Double G, he loves coaching. He is enamored with helping his artists shine. It’s been refreshing to see this other side of the hip-hop mastermind. His first of two Knockouts sees three brilliant female vocalists vie for the single spot on his team. It’s Georgia Starnes against Mary McAvoy and Aliyah Khaylyn, who he stole from Team Bublé.
I hope you do not want to see the full performances of these three singers because they received the truncated cuts. While her coach was surprised to see her do a Chris Stapleton song, Georgia Starnes’s decision to move into deep country rather than soul was a brilliant strategic decision. She knows she can tap into that genre and wants to showcase her ability to sing a modern song by a modern country star. Her fashion choice may have been questionable, but her performance was not.
Mary McAvoy is hoping to rock out with her performance of “High and Dry” by Radiohead. From what is presented, it’s a very safe performance. It’s a bit monotonous, unable to show her ability to bring range. Aliyah Khaylyn hopes to remain in the game with her performance of “Angels” by Halle. She’s got a special tone to her vocals. Her R&B styling as a female artist is something that is not quite present in the remaining competitors on the other teams — there is a lane for her. It’s easily her best performance of the competition. In the end, Snoop Dogg decides to give the victory to Aliyah. Looking back at the earlier performances this season, this is not the result you would have expected, but Aliyah Khaylyn did exactly what she needed to do to remain. For Georgia Starnes and Mary McAvoy, their time on The Voice is over.
With another Knockout still to go, Snoop presents Sting with a battle between ChrisDeo, Mikaela Ayira, and Torre Blake. What’s interesting about this Knockout is how Aliyah Khaylyn just satisfied Snoop’s female R&B quota. Will that alter his decision when it comes to this trio, as two of the three are also female R&B artists? Snoop Dogg is quite impressed with ChrisDeo’s song selection. Her rendition of “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labyrinth brings out a new side of the young singer. She is growing round after round. Her only setback at the moment is relaxing into the performance. Sting calls her enchanting, but there is still so much more vibrancy hidden away in ChrisDeo. There is a purity in her that brings a smile to every coach in their chair.
Mikaela Ayira chooses a personal rather than strategic song. Hoping to inspire young girls who may not see themselves as beautiful, her performance of “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara lacks the impact she needs to win this round. It feels more of a statement than a performance. In easily the most shocking song pick of the evening, Torre Blake sings “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves. She tells Snoop that she doesn’t fully see herself as R&B and soul, wanting to tap into other genres. On paper, this is exactly what Blake needs to do to maintain her place in the competition. She brings soul out of the country track, but it was not a performance that brought out her true vocal prowess. She keeps the simplicity of the song rather than making it pop. Simply based on the progress of the season, Snoop’s ultimate decision should not be a shock to any of this season’s viewers. A very emotional Snoop gives the victory to Mikaela Ayira. ChrisDeo is in tears as she says goodbye, especially as this should have been her victory.
Michael Bublé Keeps His ‘Voice’ Frontrunner
Michael Bublé’s final battle comes down to three immensely different artists with vastly different identities. Kiara Vega can sing in Spanish, while Jeremy Beloate slips into opera, and Sofronio Vasquez connects with his Filipino heritage when he sings. With three different artists coming, the queen of shoe-throwing, Jennifer Hudson, is eager to see who Bublé is presenting her with.
With a background in theater, Jeremy Beloate wants to bring theatricality into his performance of “golden hour” by JVKE. It’s an incredibly bold and risky move, as the performance falls immediately into something you’d expect from Josh Groban over what Beloate has previously presented in the competition. It’s a wonderfully unique performance that shows his special instrument. His performance is perfectly suited for the Eurovision Song Contest. Kiara Vega takes on “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd. It’s a surprising choice as she wants to show her versatility as a singer. Are there better options to do this? Absolutely. There is a star quality inside her, but she sadly doesn’t pop as she has in the past.
Sofronio Vasquez has major winner potential; there is a brilliance to his artistry that eases straight what this show is looking for — the voice. “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield is an historic track. There is an immense amount of power, emotion, and vulnerability naturally in the music and lyrics that make it a timeless classic. The reinvention of this track makes it one of the most magical moments the show has possibly ever seen. There are not enough shoes in Jennifer Hudson’s wardrobe to throw at him. Michael Bublé decides that the winner of this Knockout is Sofronio Vasquez. With Snoop Dogg still having a steal remaining, it’s just a matter of which of the two vulnerable artists he’s going to take. Ultimately, the Coach steals Jeremy Beloate, who he previously alluded to wanting to steal.
As the Knockouts come to an end, here’s a reminder that the Playoffs are about to be even more brutal. Five singers per team are each about to be cut down to two. It’s going to be near impossible, but if this final round of Knockouts showed us anything, it’s that significant decisions and a lot of heart can get you far on The Voice. Don’t be surprised if a rookie walks away with the victory this season.
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC in the U.S. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
