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Utah singer brings high energy to ‘The Voice’ — and gets advice from Reba McEntire

Was his energetic performance enough to send him through to the next round.

By Lottie Elizabeth Johnson

Going into the third round of “ The Voice ” — and with the competition intensifying — EJ Michels wanted to perform a song that would really make him stand out.

Throughout the competition, “The Voice” coaches had consistently praised Michels, a 31-year-old singer from Draper, Utah, for his commanding stage presence. Longtime coach Blake Shelton even called Michels’ voice “ electrifying .”

From sitting at the piano and performing an Adele song to dancing across the stage and belting out Smokey Robinson’s “ Tracks of my Tears ,” Michels had shown that he could tackle just about any genre.

So for the Knockout round, which aired April 24, Michels opted to go with the song “Trip Switch,” by the U.K.-based band Nothing But Thieves. It was a song with attitude that gave off “frontman vibes,” said Michels, who is the lead singer of the Utah-based alternative pop-rock band Foreign Figures.

“Being the frontman in the beginning was terrifying, but then I got more confidence to be like, ‘I deserve to be right here in the spotlight,’” Michels said in a clip that aired before his performance, adding that Foreign Figures has opened for Smash Mouth, X Ambassadors and Kesha. “But ‘The Voice’ is my first opportunity to really take my solo career step forward.”

In preparation for his performance, Michels got to work with his “Voice” coach Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction, and country star Reba McEntire , who is a mentor on the show this season. Specifically, McEntire spoke with Michels about getting into the emotion of a song, telling him that she visualizes the story in her head as she performs.

“That’s great advice,” Michels told McEntire, later telling “Voice” producers that the “advice really just flipped a switch.”

“If you’re not feeling it, how are you gonna make anyone else feel it?” he said. “I will never forget this moment.”

EJ Michels competes in ‘The Voice’ Knockout round

For the Knockout round, Michels was up against fellow Team Niall member Michael B., a 29-year-old singer from California. Horan called both of these artists “big, rangy dramatic singers who can do it all.”

Michels went first. Donning a sparkly black jacket, the singer brought a high-energy performance to the stage that showed off both his personality and vocals.

“EJ, you had an energy that felt personal,” “Voice” coach Chance the Rapper said following the performance. “I do think because you were so into it there were moments where the pitch wasn’t all the way right, but you enjoying it so much gave us the feeling that we were looking for.”

Kelly Clarkson, meanwhile, noted that she had never heard the song before but that she would be covering it “shortly on a talk show near you.” Clarkson said Michels made a “smart decision” in performing “Trip Switch” because it separated him from all of the other singers in the competition.

Horan — who stole Michels off of Shelton’s team during the Battle round — praised the singer’s artistic diversity.

“Everything he puts his hand to, it seems to turn to gold,” he said.

But in the end, Horan opted to send Michels home and advance Michael B. — who he called a “dark horse” of the competition — to the next round. Michels and Michael B. hugged each other in a show of support following the big reveal.

“Grateful is an understatement,” Michels said on his Instagram after the performance aired. “I began this journey so nervous yet excited to be finally accomplishing one of my biggest dreams to be performing on the  @nbcthevoice  stage. I can now say that with no doubt I did it and gave it my very all. To all the new relationships I’ve made, to the lessons learned the biggest one is that I’m capable of so much more than I give myself credit. I wanna thank everyone who’s been with me since the beginning and everyone who is new to the page, I have SO much to share with you all very soon that I’ve been working on for years. Thank you to  @blakeshelton  for turning for me and having me on your last team and  @niallhoran  for not letting me go home too soon. And lastly to  @nbcthevoice  for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I love you all. 🫶

A look at EJ Michels’ run on ‘The Voice’

Michels started out “The Voice” on Shelton’s team, winning the country star over with his rendition of “Adele’s “Easy on Me.”

“Your voice is so raw and honest,” Shelton said during Michels’ audition. “Sometimes people come out here and there’s imperfections in their performance that just make you feel, as a listener, more of a connection. And there were times your voice was starting to break up a little bit. And all that did was create an angst in the performance and emotionally kind of had me on the edge.

“You can make me feel that, I can’t wait to see what you can do to America.”

For the next round, Michels went up against singer Tasha Jessen in a duet of “Tracks of my Tears.” Chance the Rapper called it an “award show-level performance,” the Deseret News reported. Shelton ended up selecting Jessen to move forward — but Horan used his one and only steal of the round to snag Michels for his team.

Michels called being on “The Voice” “validating” after grappling with issues of self-esteem and authenticity while growing up in a conservative Utah culture.

“The things you hear when it comes to LGBTQ individuals ... it was always with this negative undertone,” he said during his audition episode, which aired March 13. “It really took a toll on my mental health, and I eventually got the courage to come out. ... It took a lot of vulnerability to open up to other people, and to uproot my entire life.”

“It’s actually been a really healing experience for me being on the show,” he said during the second round of the show, which aired March 27. “I can just kind of be myself on stage.”

What’s next for ‘The Voice’ contestant EJ Michels?

Michels formed Foreign Figures with his brother, Steve Michels, in 2014. The band performs frequently throughout Utah, including at Velour in Provo.

“Big congratulations to long time friend of Velour, and Utah music scene veteran  EJ Michels , for his standout performance on  The Voice ,” Velour owner Corey Fox wrote on  Facebook following Michels’ audition. “It’s been a pleasure to watch you develop as a musician, singer, and as a person over the last several years. Excited to see what doors this opportunity might open for you and  Foreign Figures !”

Velour and The Harrington Center For The Arts are happy to finally announce your full Fork Fest 2023 lineup!!! Note:... Posted by Velour Live Music Gallery on  Monday, April 17, 2023

Michels is part of the lineup for the upcoming Fork Fest in American Fork, Utah. He is slated to perform on June 17.

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See Why Reba McEntire Says She "Clicked Immediately" with Niall Horan

Coach Niall Horan worked closely with country legend and mega mentor Reba McEntire to prepare his team for the final night of the Knockouts on The Voice Season 23.

He may be the newbie on The Voice this season but Coach Niall Horan is already making some famous friends. 

How to Watch

Watch the Season 26 premiere of The Voice on Monday, September 23 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.  

This season’s Mega Mentor, Reba McEntire , said she “clicked immediately” with the Irish-born singer as they prepped for the Knockout Round, joking together throughout the rehearsal sessions.

“Pretty chilled out show, really, isn’t it?” Horan said. “It’s not, like, over produced.”

“Nope,” McEntire agreed.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,”  Horan said. 

“And you know that they can edit it and take out the bad stuff that you say, which I haven’t said anything really stupid yet, which is good,” McEntire added. 

“Yeah, well, I’m planning on it,” Horan quipped as McEntire broke out into laughter. 

“You want a show, huh?” the country legend asked.

“See if you can edit this one out,” Horan responded, as they laughed. 

McEntire and Horan then got to work to help Team Niall Artists E.J. Michaels and Michael B. prepare for the Knockouts . 

Niall Horan Hit Some Seriously High Notes Covering Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams'

Each Artist delivered very different, but amazing performances Monday night, leaving Horan in a tough spot as he weighed E.J. Michaels’ crowd-pleasing front man performance of “Trip Switch”  with Michael B.’s powerfully soulful rendition of “When You’re Gone.” 

Soul ultimately won out and Horan chose to stick with Michael B, sending Michaels home. 

“I guess I just have to go with what I see in the future and in my gut for the coming rounds and the bullet-proofness of it,” Horan said while making his decision. “The winner of this Knockout is Michael.” 

McEntire and Horan were back together again as two other Team Niall Artists, Jerome Godwin III and Ross Clayton, prepared to battle it out on stage. 

“Have you ever been to Oklahoma?” McEntire asked of her home state before the artists arrived for rehearsal. 

“Touring-wise, yeah,” Horan said. “Not a state I’ve spent a lot of time in though. You’re always kind of on the move when you get into that run.” 

“Yeah, we see the airport, hotel, and the venue and that’s it,” McEntire agreed.

The easy banter between the pair was one reason McEntire felt a connection to Horan. 

“I’m working with him to try to come out of his shell,” she joked to producers. “Nah, I’m kidding. He is a sweetheart. We clicked immediately.” 

With plenty of chart-topping hits of their own, Horan and McEntire spent time trying to help Godwin and Clayton find ways to stand out on their own on stage. 

RELATED: Who Are Blake Shelton's Most Frequent Songwriting Partners?

“Jerome is a real gospel, soul singer and Ross, he’s really good at this kind of like soft rock, country twang. Both of them are amazing. These pairings are horrible because then again, I have to pick someone,” Horan told McEntire. “That’s why you’re here and that’s why I need your help.”

“Oh, I was afraid of that,” McEntire replied. 

Godwin chose to slow it down this time around with the well-known ballad “Someone You Love,” by Lewis Capaldi. During rehearsal, McEntire urged him to make sure he dug into the emotion of the song. 

“Great sound,” she said before adding, “I want to know that you did go through that. I gotta see that pain.” 

Clayton chose a song with deep personal meaning to him, Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work.” 

“My dad used to play the album for me on repeat,” he told Horan and McEntire. 

Clayton lost his dad to cancer when he was just 12 years old and sang the song in his honor. 

“I think about him every day and this song, as soon as I hear it, I’m sitting with him again,” he said. “I’m going to do my best to do it justice and I think no matter what I do out there even if I go up there and totally blow it, he’d be proud."

The song got rave reviews from McEntire.

“Ross, he’s a great stylist. If you hear Ross on the radio, you’ll know immediately that’s him,” she said. “If I was a record executive that’s what I would look for.” 

Monday night both Artists knocked it out of the park, but Clayton’s polished concert-level performance won out and Horan chose him as the winner. 

“I know for a fact, there’s more in your back pocket,” Horan said. 

To find out how Team Niall does in the weeks ahead, tune in to The Voice Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and available streaming on Peacock the next day.

• Niall Horan
• Reba McEntire

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'The Voice' 2023 Knockouts: Niall Horan under fire for choosing between EJ Michels and Michael B

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA: As the curtains ascend for the ultimate round of 'The Voice' 2023, the air crackles with anticipation. Blake Shelton, Niall Horan, Chance the Rapper, and Kelly Clarkson have meticulously honed their teams since the blinds and the final knockouts promise an epic showdown. Contestants brace for their toughest challenge yet, performing heart-stopping duets in a bid for glory. Each artist feels the weight of the moment, striving to exhibit their skills and collaborative spirit, while the audience hangs on every note.

For the contestants, this is a do-or-die juncture, and they're well aware. The fate of their dreams hinges on every breath and step, with no room for error. Will they surge ahead into the playoffs, or will they fall short and face elimination? The stakes couldn't be higher, and the intensity is tangible. As emerging stars like EJ Michels and Michael B from Team Niall grace the stage, Niall is lauded by fans for pairing these two talents together, though it's a risky move that could cost him dearly. As the night wears on on 'The Voice',  Niall agonizes over a difficult decision. Will he have the wisdom to make the right call and steer his team towards victory?

RELATED ARTICLES

'The Voice' 2023 Knockouts: Fans call out Team Shelton as Tasha's singing was 'layered with assistance'

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Michael B heads to the playoffs while EJ Michels goes home

In the last round of Knockouts of 'The Voice' 2023, Team Niall's EJ Michels and Michael B delivered powerful performances, leaving the judges and audience alike in awe. EJ showcased his versatility by performing 'Trip Switch' by Nothing But Thieves, while Michael opted for the emotional 'When You're Gone' by Shawn Mendes. Niall the judge and mentor of both contestants, provided insightful commentary during and after the performances. He noted EJ's shift in style and praised his boldness in selecting a more upbeat number. When EJ finished, judge Reba McEntire applauded his performance, and EJ asked for advice on how to better convey the story of a song. Reba shared that she imagines the song as a story, painting a picture in her mind, which EJ gratefully acknowledged, stating he would remember it forever. Michael, on the other hand, displayed a deep emotional connection to his chosen piece. Niall observed that the song would allow Michael to showcase the different facets of his vocal range. As Michael finished, he admitted to getting emotional towards the end of the song, causing some rough patches. However, Reba reassured him that she preferred an emotionally charged performance over a technically perfect one.

During the deliberation process, the judges provided their expert opinions on the performances. Chance the Rapper praised Michael for his soulful delivery and even gave him a standing ovation. He noted that EJ's high energy caused some pitch issues, and he leaned toward Michael. Kelly Clarkson commended Michael's powerhouse vocals and expressed interest in covering EJ's song soon on her talk show. Blake Shelton acknowledged EJ's impressive performance and Michael's ability to stay in the pocket. Niall ultimately chooses Michael.

'Niall really messed up putting EJ and Michael B against each other'

The exceptional performances of EJ Michels and Michael B on 'The Voice' 2023 left fans in a state of awe, leading them to express their disapproval of the fact that one of the contestants would have to leave the competition. The audience's fervor was so intense that they took to social media to express their displeasure and even criticized Niall for putting the two contestants in a position where they had to compete against each other. One said, "What an error putting these 2 together. Bad decision, bought of them are good. 😢😢", while another said, "Niall makes bad decisions too, just like me LOL." Some even said, "Tough call Niall. It was a wrong move to put these amazing singers together" and some said, "It's not fair to choose between two singers who clearly are the finale contestants." Comments like, "COME ON NIALL!!!! COME ON!!!!" and "I get it, but this was a wrong WRONG move that will cost you, Niall. Sad to see EJ go." One fan said, "Niall really messed up putting EJ and Michael B against each other."

Tune in to 'The Voice' Season 23 every Monday from 8 pm to 9 pm ET only on NBC. You can also stream 'The Voice' Season 23 the next day on Peacock.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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Who Went Home and Who Made It Through Night Two on 'The Voice' Knockout Rounds

Night two of The Voice season 23 Knockout Rounds continued with more sing-offs on Teams Blake Shelton , Kelly Clarkson , Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper , who were joined by Reba McEntire as this season’s Mega Mentor to help prepare the artists for the competition.

The winners of the Knockout Rounds will move on to the Playoffs, where they will be joined by D. Smooth , Manasseh Samone , Ryley Tate Wilson , and Marykate Connor , who were the four winners of the Playoff Pass during Battle Rounds.

The only coaches left with a Steal were Kelly and Blake and it was the final night to use it.

Related: Who Went Home and Who Made It Through Tonight on The Voice Knockout Rounds

Eliminated contestants tonight on The Voice Season 23 Knockout Rounds Night 2

Ej michaels jerome goodwin iii magnus tiana goss, advancing artists tonight on the voice season 23 knockout rounds night 2, grace west holly brand jamar langely michael b neil salsich—steal rachel christine—steal ross clayton sorelle.

Here is how the night broke down:

Knockout Round No. 1: EJ Michels vs. Michael B.

For the first match of the night, Niall paired up EJ , who he stole from Blake, and Michael, who was a one-chair turn. For his song choice, EJ chose “Trip Switch” by Nothing But Thieves , while Michael went with “When You’re Gone” by Shawn Mendes.

The winner of the Knockout Round was Michael B.

Niall said, “Michael has always been a sleeping giant in this competition. His voice is unbelievable. I am really excited for Michael in the Playoffs. It was really rough to see EJ go. He really put his heart on the line.”

Related: Does Niall Horan Save 15-Year-Old, 4-Chair Turn Ryley Tate Wilson or 1-Chair Turn Michael B. on Tonight's The Voice Battle?

Knockout Round No. 2: Magnus vs. Jamar Langely

For the second match of the night, Chance paired Magnus against Jamar. Magnus selected “Ordinary People” by John Legend and Jamar sang “Crusin’” by Smokey Robinson.

The winner of the Knockout Round was Jamar.

Chance said, “Jamar is a very seasoned artist. He has this unspoken confidence when he’s performing. I am excited that he’s going to show who he is [in the Playoffs].”

Knockout Round No. 3: Grace West vs. Neil Salsich

For the third match of the night, Blake matched Grace West against Neil Salsich. Grace selected “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton for her performance, while Neil went with “Takin’ It To the Streets” by The Doobie Brothers .

The winner of the Knockout was Grace.

Blake said, “Grace and Neil was a tough decision for me. I went with Grace because she has this old-school country voice. All the potential she has is still in front of her. I think she’s going to be a star in country music.”

STEAL: Kelly stole Neil, so he is going to the Playoffs, too.

Kelly said, “I am just excited to work with Neil. He can sing anything. He’s done such different songs each round. I think he’s easily one of the best singers in the competition."

Knockout Round No. 4: Jerome Goodwin III vs. Ross Clayton

For the fourth match of the night, Niall pitted two-chair turn Jerome Goodwin III vs four-chair turn Ross Clayton. Jerome went with “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, while Ross chose “Dirty Work” by Steely Dan .

The winner of the Knockout was Ross.

Niall said, “I love how pure his voice is. He’s got this raspy tone. I can see him winning this thing.

Related: The Secret You Don't Know About The Voice Red Swivel Chairs

Knockout Round No. 5: Sorelle vs. Tiana Goss

For the fifth match of the night, Chance paired trio Sorelle against solo artist Tiana Goss, who he stole from Niall. Sorelle went with “Blame it On the Boogie” by The Jacksons , while Tina went with Ariana Grande’s “God Is a Woman.”

It wasn’t much of a competition with three against one. Sorelle locked its position in the Playoffs.

Chance said, “Sorelle completely blew me away. They have beautiful blends and they have stage presence. It sucks the audience in every time they get up there.”

Knockout Round No. 6: Holly Brand vs. Rachel Christine

In the final Knockout Round of the night, Kelly paired Holly Brand against Rachel Christine. Holly went old-school country with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Patsy Cline , but the LeAnn Rimes version, while Rachel sang Fleetwood Mac ’s “Rhiannon.”

The winner of the Knockout was Holly.

Kelly said, “She’s a country girl with Minnie Riperton and Mariah Carey whistle notes. I think she just stands out. I would be afraid of her in the finale if I were all the other singers.”

STEAL: But Rachel didn’t go home. Blake used his last-ever Steal to get her on his team.

Blake said, “I think in a moment like that what Holly did was flashy. It’s undeniable. Now Rachel will get a chance to show everybody she can do something just as incredible. She sang flawlessly. She’s a diverse vocalist and I need that on my team.”

The Voice continues next Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

Next, Who Will Replace Blake Shelton on The Voice ?

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‘The Voice’ Knockouts (Week 2): Which eliminated artist was most robbed? [POLL]

• April 24, 2023 9:17PM

“ The Voice ” Knockouts (Week 2) aired Monday, April 24 on NBC , with 12 artists competing to earn a spot in the Season 23 playoffs. The six singers who won their match-ups were Michael B. , Jamar Langley , Grace West , Ross Clayton , Sorelle and Holly Brand , and two more — Neil Salsich and Rachel Christine — were stolen by rival coaches. That meant four contestants were ousted from the reality TV competition: EJ Michels and Jerome Godwin III of Team Niall Horan , and Magnus and Tiana Goss of Team Chance the Rapper .

Of this unfortunate group of eliminated artists, who do YOU think was most robbed? Vote in our “The Voice” Knockouts (Week 2) poll below and then defend your choice in the comments section.

SEE  All 16 ‘The Voice’ coaches ranked worst to best

EJ Michels (age 31) from Draper, Utah sang “Easy on Me” during the blind auditions and earned two chair-turns from Blake and Chance, joining Team Blake. EJ later lost his battle of “The Tracks of My Tears” against Tasha Jessen, where he was stolen by Team Niall. In the knockouts, EJ performed “Trip Switch,” but lost to Michael B.

Jerome Godwin III (age 20) from Ashford, Alabama sang “pov” during the blind auditions and earned two chair-turns from Niall and Kelly, joining Team Niall. Jerome later won his battle of “Like I Can” against Talia Smith. In the knockouts, Jerome performed “Someone You Loved,” but lost to Ross Clayton.

Magnus (age 25) from Virginia Beach, Virginia sang “Sara Smile” during the blind auditions and was a one-chair turn for Team Chance. Magnus later won his battle of “Your Song” against Alyssa Lazar. In the knockouts, Magnus performed “Ordinary People,” but lost to Jamar Langley.

Tiana Goss (age 29) from Los Angeles, California sang “Emotion” during the blind auditions and was a one-chair turn for Team Niall. Tiana later lost her battle of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” against Kate Cosentino, where she was stolen by Team Chance. In the knockouts, Tiana performed “God is a woman,” but lost to Sorelle.

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The Voice Knockouts Recap: Hear the Singer Who Won Blake’s Last Steal

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Monday’s episode of The Voice wasn’t just the end of Season 23’s Knockouts, it was also the end of the road for four more contestants, including one whose performance was raw enough to make even grumpy ol’ me go misty-eyed. Whose was it? Read on; we’ll get there, and along the way, we’ll also cue up the Fleetwood Mac cover that inspired Blake Shelton to hand over his last steal ever. [pmc_inline_gallery]

Team Niall: Michael B. singing “When You’re Gone” (Grade: B+) defeated EJ Michels singing “Trip Switch” (Grade: C) | As cool as it was that EJ switched things up by covering Nothing But Thieves, it was the wrong move for him as the indie-rock number called for a bigger voice and greater stage presence than he was able to deliver. Next up, Michael landed an exceptionally well-modulated rendition of Shawn Mendes’ hit that showed off both his control and his range. At some point, the coaches may have to stop looking at him as a dark horse in the contest. Don’t they?

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I loved Jerome. I really felt it.

I thought sorelle was the best tonight with the up tempo MJ song.They were fun to watch and were entertaining

Idk. Holly is too show pageant. It wasn’t as flawless as you think. A bit of all over the place. I can do this and this and this. I love Grace’s tone and pure vocals. Loved Jerome. Can’t believe it’s the playoffs.

Whether it fits your taste or not is a different thing, but vocal-wise it was pretty flawless imo. Attempted a lot of stuff and pulled it all off.

Loved Holly tackling Patsy Cline with aplomb. . Jerome was 2nd of night for me. Fab tone. . 3rd, Sorelle finally touched me with their magic. . 4th was Neil, who did right by the Doobies.

How Rachael got stolen over Jerome is beyond me. I kept thinking that the last battle must be amazing if Jerome did not get stolen. Then Rachael went up, and I just scratched my head because no way was Kelly giving up Holly. And it was obvious that Blake would steal Rachael. The only thing I can think of is that the knockouts were shown out of order (once again).

The Knockout Rounds are indeed shown out of order.

Many times the Steals and Saves are used up early in the Battle Rounds and the Knockout Rounds, so the producers edit it for dramatic effect.

Rachel’s voice is actually pretty great and she killed that song. There is always an artist who needs their mic turned up or the band overpowers what they’re doing, but I listened to her performance without watching it and tuned in to the vocals and it sounded really good.

Jerome was robbed. How no one stole him, I don’t know.

Hope Michael B goes all the way and wins it all. He is not only MADLY talented, he’s the kind of artist that can get massive radio play.

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The Voice 5th Judge: Blake Shelton Uses His Last-Ever Steal as Top 20 Are Revealed

See which artist did enough to earn Blake Shelton's last-ever Steal on "The Voice" -- even if we're still scratching our heads about it a bit -- as the Knockouts wrap and four more hopefuls are sent home, leaving our Top 20.

The final round of Knockouts features six more incredible pairings and Blake's last-ever Steal as a Coach on "The Voice." Did he make the right call, and which team did he steal from?

Reba McEntire was back and it was almost as fun watching the contestants fall all over themselves in shock at seeing her than it was seeing her give them advice and try to help them shape their best possible performances. Her advice, by the way, was again incredible. She has a great sense of story, arrangement and musicality.

American Idol 5th Judge: Ten Artists Fight for Two Spots as Top 12 Is Revealed -- Plus, a Fly Steals the Show

We said goodbye to some favorites, but in a rare week, we didn't disagree with any of the Coach's decisions -- except for one, but a Steal was used, so we'll let it pass as the right person still gets to stay in the competition.

Blake and Kelly both still had their steals heading into this final night of the Knockouts, and we definitely think one of them used their steal right. The other said they were waiting for something, and then seemed to use it almost randomly and in the moment. Meanwhile, some great singers went home.

By the end of the night, the Top 20 stood revealed, with five people left standing on each team. The problem is that teasers for next week showed that they need to whittle this number in half for the Playoffs. We'll see how that breaks down, and who gets how many people, next week. First, we've got to shatter the dreams of four more artists who will never make it there.

Fair warning, since I'm safe at home, I'm probably going to be a little harsher than my colleagues Kelly Clarkson , Chance the Rapper , Niall Horan , and Blake Shelton . But I might be nicer, too. Maybe.

And just for fun, I'm going to rank the performances from worst to first to see who my favorites are, and then see how they do as the season progresses.

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Ross clayton v jerome godwin iii (team niall).

("Dirty Work," Steely Dan - Ross Clayton, 33, McCloud, OK) There's a danger in taking on these rock staples in that they're so familiar in melody and lyric we find ourselves not really thinking about what they meant when they were being written and what those words are actually saying. Instead, we just slide in that familiar rhythm. Ross sounds perfect on this track, but we didn't feel as connected to the story as we hoped because it's a strong one. Still, we can't deny he's got such a smooth tone, it's almost deceptive in how soothing and easy it all sounds.

("Someone You Loved," Lewis Capaldi - Jerome Godwin III, 20, Montgomery, AL) If you can't break our hearts with your delivery, you probably shouldn't even try to sing Lewis Capaldi. Ross got good notes to focus on the ache in the lyrics and rein in his big old voice to really find that intimacy. He nailed it on the big stage after a slightly shaky start. He could have found his breath outside of the middle of a line, but we really loved the softer parts of his voice. It got a little wild toward the end, but he pulled it back. We feel like he's finding himself live on the air, but we're impressed with his fast growth so far.

This was another tough one, with both of them nailing with similar consistency the intent of their respective songs. For the growth we saw from the start and for the fact he was a little stronger in connecting to his lyric, we'd say that Jerome had a more successful Knockout experience. Ross was perfectly suited for that performance, but we didn't really feel anything. The panel, however, was definitely feeling Ross' apparent professionalism on the track more.

Results: Ross Wins

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Ej michaels v michael b. [team niall].

("Trip Switch," Nothing But Thieves - EJ Michels, 31, Draper, UT) The physicality was at a ten and the voice spent much of the performance at an eight in energy, creating an odd disconnect at times. Overall, though, he did manage to show off some great control in his falsetto, slipping in and out of it effortlessly. EJ is definitely a consummate performer, but we could never quite get past that odd energy disconnect from what he was doing to what he was singing.

("When You're Gone," Shawn Mendes - Michael B., 29, Los Angeles, CA) Michael was very subtle with his physicality, but he let his voice and the story carry us through. What's remarkable is he had us believing with him from those soft opening lines and then we traveled with him along a perfect, slow crescendo as the song built toward some of his biggest notes and moments. Michael's tone was magical throughout, rich and confident at all levels.

Both of these artists have big, incredible voices. It felt like Michael tapped into more of his for this performance, and gave a more consistently great performance. He had the kind of build that leaves you gasping for air a bit by the end, but fully enamored with the journey you just went on. EJ's performance felt underplayed at times, or lost in all his movement, only shining here and there. For that lack of vocal consistency, Michael is our winner.

Results: Michael Wins

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Jamar langley v magnus martin (team chance).

("Cruisin'," Smokey Robinson - Jamar Langley, 37, Andrews, SC) Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this incredible moment for Jamar was how obvious it was he was still holding back. He has such a rich vibrato, it threatened to overtake some words in the early verses, but it didn't happen. Instead, he put such a singular stamp of presentation on this classic track. His sound is old-school R&B but with an infectious groove on this track we found ourselves holding our breath and waiting to see how he would approach each line. That's a powerhouse performance right there.

("Ordinary People," John Legend - Magnus Martin, 26, Virginia Beach, VA) An impressive vocal showcase, we found ourselves hoping for a little more variance in Magnus' presentation. It almost felt like the song was looking for a hint more intimacy and Magnus was full-chested through so much of it, we weren't getting it. Toward the end, he showed off a little more of himself with a bit of scat and some vocal runs. He's got an incredibly rich and full tone, but we're not sure he quite knows how to rein it in and use it effectively.

Jamar kept his performance interesting from the very first note. While we weren't always enamored with how his enunciation got lost in vibrato a couple of times, we can't deny that we were paying close enough attention to each syllable to even notice something like that. It was such an artistic presentation, he felt like he was miles and miles ahead of Magnus in understanding his instrument and what kind of vision he has for himself. For that reason, he feels like the stronger artist at this stage.

Results: Jamar Wins

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Grace west v neil salsich (team blake).

("Here You Come Again," Dolly Parton - Grace West, 19, Canton, MI) Grace definitely took Reba's note to playfully smile to the side and give the camera a little play. In fact, she took it a little too far, which distracted a bit from the innocence of those early bars. By the middle of the song, though, she was in full throttle, perfectly capturing this country classic. She sounded so natural, as if she was born in another era, with a beautiful, rich tone, the perfect amount of vibrato and pitch-perfect soaring moments.

("Takin' It to the Streets," The Doobie Brothers - Neil Salsich, 34, St. Louis, MO) Neil was delivering this almost like a preacher up there, dancing and getting into the groove. He's got the perfect tone to take on this distinctive sound and nailed the delivery. We also appreciated the subtle tweaks he made to put his stamp on it. It's an ambitious choice, but he took total command of it from the start and was really bringing us into it like a gospel performance by the end.

This is definitely a tougher battle because both of them are so very good in their respective lanes. Those lanes are also very different, making it harder to try and compare them. All we can do is look at who did a more consistent job of presenting their intent. For that reason, it felt like Neil was in the zone from the very start and never faltered one bit. Grace got lost a bit in Reba's advice. So really we guess we'd reward the consistency of experience and a deeper understanding of who you are as an artist. We always wonder if the Coaches sometimes gamble that the artist they don't choose will be stolen, as it felt like Blake chose Grace because he could hear how much Kelly dug Neil.

Results: Grace Wins (Kelly Steals Neil [Team Kelly])

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Holly brand v rachel christine (team kelly).

("Blue Moon of Kentucky," Patsy Cline [as performed by LeAnn Rimes] - Holly Brand, 22, Meridian, MS) We had no idea Holly had so many weapons. The break, the yodel, the soaring whistle notes at the end. Pair all of that with a very cool and contemporary vibe on an old-school country classic and she just delivered her strongest performance yet -- and she's had a pretty good run to this point. This is an artist who knows exactly where her values are, what she's about, and she knows how to sell a story. Even with all those tricks, she never lost the message.

("Rhiannon," Fleetwood Mac - Rachel Christine, 22, Delavan, WI) Rachel made an interesting choice with this one, delivering the track pretty straight for the first half and then showing off some interesting arrangements after we were all sitting comfortably and thought we knew what was coming. Her voice has a smokiness to it that was perfectly suited for the energy of this track, creating a very pleasant aural experience. We're not sure every vocal trick landed perfectly, but we appreciated her letting loose and showing off a bit toward the end.

Both of these women came in such different lanes but were so well suited in them. Rachel definitely feels like an old soul on this classic, but it didn't stand out enough beyond a solid cover to really make a mark. Holly, meanwhile, took a classic track to the next level, showing off a crazy arsenal of talent. She absolutely smashed this one.

Results: Holly Wins (Blake Steals Rachel [Team Blake])

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Sorelle v tiana goss [team chance].

("Blame It on the Boogie," The Jacksons - Sorelle, 15/20/21, Lexington, OH) A whole concert in one performance, each of the sisters got their chance to shine and they mixed up their harmonic choices throughout to really create a powerhouse performance. This is not an easy song to shine on for a vocal competition, but as a trio, they were able to find those moments throughout, blowing us away with how they came together and how they complement one another during solo moments. They did absolutely everything they could out there and then some.

("God is a woman," Ariana Grande - Tiana Goss, 29, Los Angeles, CA) Tiana has a thickness in her voice, it's so fully textured but light at the same time, we felt her intent throughout this performance. It got a little shaky during the rapid delivery lines, but for the most part, she was on point by giving us more with less. She's got the pipes to go big, but we appreciated that she kept it tastefully subdued and more in line with the original song. This one is supposed to almost be hypnotic, and we could see her going for that.

Another tough one on the night, Tiana really nailed the intention behind the performance. We could hear her voice almost straining to be contained, which is incredible, but she managed to keep this one sliding on that smooth groove throughout. The problem is that Sorelle is just so intriguing every time they perform. The way they arrange songs to suit their harmonies and how each of them can stand alone with a unique signature, as well as killing those harmonies. We find ourselves much more interested in what they might do next.

Results: Sorelle Wins

"The Voice" continues Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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• Chance the Rapper Seasons
• Niall Horan Seasons
• Seasons with Carson Daly
• 2023 (Rounds)
• 2023 Seasons

Season 23 is the twenty-third season of The Voice US aired on NBC on March 6, 2023. Carson Daly returned as host, with Kelly Clarkson also returning after being absent in season 22 and Blake Shelton announced he is leaving after this season, making it his last season on The Voice . Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper made their debut as coaches in their first season. [1]

• 2.1 Episode 1 (March 6)
• 2.2 Episode 2 (March 7)
• 2.3 Episode 3 (March 13)
• 2.4 Episode 4 (March 14 2023)
• 2.5 Episode 5 (March 20 2023)
• 2.6 Episode 6 (March 21 2023)
• 2.7 Teams by the end of the BLINDS
• 3.1 Teams by the end of the BATTLES
• 4 Knockouts
• 5.1 Playoffs
• 6.1 Week 1: Top 8 – Semi-finals (May 15)
• 6.2 Semi-finals
• 6.4 Week 2: Finale (May 22–23)
• 7.1 Overall
• 7.2 Per team
• 7.3 Final Standings
• 8 Contestants
• 10 References

Blinds Auditions [ ]

Episode 1 (march 6) [ ], episode 2 (march 7) [ ], episode 3 (march 13) [ ], episode 4 (march 14 2023) [ ], episode 5 (march 20 2023) [ ], episode 6 (march 21 2023) [ ], teams by the end of the blinds [ ], battles [ ].

The second stage of the show, the battles, will begin airing on March 18. In this round, the coaches pitted two of their artists in a singing match and then select one of them to advance to the next round. For the third consecutive season, there were no guest advisors for the battles, which meant the artists were mentored solely by their coaches.

Teams by the end of the BATTLES [ ]

Knockouts [ ].

The third stage of the show, the knockouts, aired from April 17 through April 24, comprising episodes 12 and 13. Reba McEntire served as the season's mega mentor for the round.

Each coach paired two of their artists in a singing match. The artists themselves select the song they sing in the round, and the coach then selects one of them to advance to the playoffs. Each coach can steal one losing artist from another team.

At the end of this round, three artists were knockout winners, while four artists were stolen, and four artists were recipients of the "playoff pass" from the battles, creating a total of twenty artists advancing to the playoffs.

Playoffs [ ]

The fourth stage of the show, the playoffs, aired from May 1 through May 8, comprising episodes 14 and 15. The top 20 artists performed for the coaches with a song of their choosing, with each coach selecting two of their artists to advance to the top eight semi-finals.

This was the first playoffs to not be contested live since season thirteen ; it was prerecorded and taped at the same stage as the prior two rounds, hence the lack of a interactive viewer voting component or a subsequent results episode. Teams Blake and Chance performed on the first episode, while Teams Kelly and Niall performed in the latter episode.

Live shows [ ]

Week 1: top 8 – semi-finals (may 15) [ ].

For the first time this season, the Top 8 will perform live on Monday. This season, there are no instant save performances; instead, the public votes to advance five artists to the finale, eliminating the remaining three from the competition.

This is the first time in The Voice history that both first-time coaches have an artist in the finale. With the advancements of Sorelle and Gina Miles , Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan became the seventh and eighth new coaches to bring their team to the finale, the first being Usher ( Michelle Chamuel in season four ), the second being Alicia Keys (Wé McDonald in season 11 ), the third being Kelly Clarkson ( Brynn Cartelli in season 14 ), the fourth being John Legend ( Maelyn Jarmon in season 16 ), the fifth being Nick Jonas (Thunderstorm Artis in season 18 ), and the sixth being Camila Cabello (Morgan Myles in season 22 ). Also, with the advancement of Sorelle, this is the second time that a trio advanced to the finale, following Girl Named Tom in season 21 .

This was the first time since the twentieth season that all four coaches were represented in the finale.

Semi-finals [ ]

Week 2: finale (may 22–23) [ ].

The season finale ran through two nights, Monday and Tuesday, May 22 through 23, 2023, comprising episodes 17 through 19. The Top 5 performed on Monday, with each artist performing an up-tempo song and a ballad for the title of The Voice . At the episode's conclusion, the overnight voting for the season's winner began. The following night, on Tuesday, the finalists performed a duet with their respective coaches before the results of the public vote were announced, and the winner of the season was named. Before the performances on the second episode, a one-hour episode, titled "Live Cutdown Show", recapping the finalists' performances was aired.

At the end of the show, Gina Miles was named the winner, in the closest margin of victory as noted by Daly. Her victory marks Horan's first victory as a coach, with him becoming the third new coach, after Clarkson with Brynn Cartelli in season 14 ; and John Legend with Maelyn Jarmon in season 16 , to have a winning artist on his first attempt.

• ^ The alumni that performed included: Dia Frampton , Xenia , Jermaine Paul , RaeLynn , Cassadee Pope , Danielle Bradbery , The Swon Brothers , Craig Wayne Boyd , Sundance Head , Todd Tilghman , Ian Flanigan, and Bryce Leatherwood .

Elimination chart [ ]

Overall [ ], per team [ ], final standings [ ], contestants [ ].

• Neil Salsich
• Holly Brand
• Tasha Jessen
• Ross Clayton
• Alex Whalen
• Sheer Element
• Carlos Rising
• Kala Banham
• Ryley Tate Wilson
• Jamar Langley
• Walker Wilson
• Manasseh Samone
• Jerome Godwin
• EJ Michaels
• Laura Littleton
• Kate Cosentino
• Chloe Abbott
• Marcos Covos
• Mary Kate Connor
• Mariah Karlia
• Kylee Dayne
• Kason Lester
• Rachel Christine
• Cait Martin
• Katie Beth Forakis
• Talia Smith

References [ ]

• ↑ https://www.tvinsider.com/1065047/the-voice-season-23-blake-shelton-leaving-niall-horan-chance-the-rapper-coaches/
• 1 Morgan Wallen
• 2 Melanie Martinez
• 3 Chance Pena