‘The Voice’ Season 26 Episode 17 Recap: It’s Michael Bublé’s Toughest Choice Yet as Playoffs Heat Up

 

This is it! The final night of the Playoffs for The Voice Season 26. With three coaches already selecting their two champions, it all comes down to rookie coach Michael Bublé selecting two from his extraordinary five artists. To help mentor his team, Bublé invites country megastar Carly Pearce to the studio, where she is about to light up the room.

While Carly Pearce was more of a presence than a mentor, especially compared to someone like MGK, this episode is all about the richness Michael Bublé brings as a coach. He is more than just a superstar collecting a paycheck while watching some exceptional performers shine. He is a fan. He is giddy. He is the reason why The Voice continues to be refreshing. Now, do we envy his position, having to cut down his team? With this quintet, not a chance!

Team Bublé Shows Age Means Nothing

Before the artists arrive, it’s important to learn a bit about our mentor’s backstory. Like Michael Bublé, Carly Pearce bonds over getting her start at around the same age as him. With their connection present, they’re optimistic she will have a connection to Team Bublé as well. Before she even steps into the room, Bublé boosts up the appeal of 17-year-old Shye. He says that Shye is a superstar, and she doesn’t even know it. In a way, it’s been part of her journey on The Voice. She says she didn’t think she would make it this far. Humility gets you far, but now, it’s important for Shye to match it with her confidence. Hopefully, Pearce telling her that she has a recognizable voice in the same vein as Adele or Tracy Chapman will give her that boost. She takes on “Story Of My Life” by One Direction in hopes of using the track to tell her story. She vocally soars, proving that with this performance alone, she could succeed in the next round. Following the performance, The Voice does leave a tribute of silence for Liam Payne.

As Michael Bublé puts it, it’s Jaukeem the dream. Having just stolen him from Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé is excited by the 14-year-old Jaukeem Fortson. Hoping to tap into the church-upbringing connection between himself and his mentor, Pearce gets giddy like she’s seeing a new puppy for the first time. Straying away from his typical Christian music for his Playoff performance, Fortson shoots big with Michael Jackson‘s “Man in the Mirror.” He brings an ease and swagger he lacked in previous performances. He truly has matured as an artist since he began this journey. This was easily his strongest performance this season.

Emotion Fills the Stage

Sloane Simon‘s journey on The Voice has featured it all. She’s been stolen. She’s been saved. And now, she’s in the Playoffs, hoping to earn one of the two coveted spots in the Live rounds. Simon has mainstream appeal as an artist, which is why her coach selects one of the music industry’s biggest rising stars, Chapelle Roan, for her performance. Her emotional performance is driven by the health of her father, who she reveals passed away mere days earlier. Singing “Good Luck, Babe,” Simon has a purity in her voice that fits the track exceptionally well. She reimagines the song in a manner that proves that she can fit in the industry right now. While she may not have a booming voice like her fellow competitors, Simon’s originality as an artist is something that others on her team lack.

It’s time for one of the season’s standouts, Cameron Wright. Since the first time they hit the stage, their story has resonated just as much as their masterful instrument. Wright shares that their grandmother used to sit him down to listen to the songs that she knew the world would hear him sing. And she was right. He takes on “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston. She is known for her powerful voice. And so is Wright. Having a non-generic Whitney Houston song as their track for this moment is an exceptional decision. Everything about Cameron Wright’s performance is right. They look the part of a superstar in their purple blazer. They command the stage as if they have been in the game for decades. Wright’s softer side is what they needed to present at this moment.

A Star Continues to Shine Bright

To be the final artist on the final night of the Playoffs is very telling. It’s the final performance viewers will see before they come in to vote. With the glory spot being given to Sofronio Vasquez, it’s telling that The Voice knows they have a superstar on their hands. When he joins his coach during his coaching session, he reveals that he has never heard of Roy Orbison‘s “Crying” before. For other artists, this might be a red flag. Not for Sofronio Vasquez! Bublé compares his tone and technical ability to the likes of Celine Dion and Kelly Clarkson. Those are some giant heels to fill! Vazquez is more than capable. Sofronio Vasquez is a voice for a generation. This is Vasquez’s rendition of the song, owning every single moment. He gives a park and bark performance, standing sturdy center stage as he lets his instrument do the work. This was one of those performances that is worthy of a finale. That final note is more than worthy of a standing ovation.

Michael Bublé has easily one of the most difficult decisions of all four coaches. Gwen Stefani botched her final picks. Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg nailed their picks. Michael Bublé has some directions he could go down. Based on the entire season’s trajectory, the two moving forward should be Cameron Wright and Sofronio Vazquez. Shye’s strong performance here could prove she could squeeze in as a dark horse. No matter what, a major voice is about to leave. With the “Fab Five” about to become the “Tremendous Two,” Michael Bublé gives the victory to Sofronio Vazquez and Shye. It’s quite disappointing to see Cameron Wright leave, but that is the game. Now that the Top 8 are determined, it’s in the hands of the viewers! The Live Semi-Finals are destined to have exceptional performances that will cause some brutal decisions to be made.

The Voice airs Mondays at 8:00 pm and Tuesdays at 9:00 pm on NBC. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.