‘The Voice’ voters head ‘straight into the middle’ with disappointing first live results for season 22

brought tuesday the sound The top 16 results of season 22 — the first live results of the season are shown — and in the first half of the episode, there were some surprises. In fact, if I could gloat for a moment, I correctly predicted 10 of the top 12 contestants, albeit with a slightly different voting order for Team John Legend.

It was only when it came time to fill in the final spot in the top 13 round – via an instant save sing-along voted on by the audience among the four remaining contestants – that the episode became unpredictable.

So, at the start of the evening, host Carson Daly explained that each team got a vote Monday’s Top 16 ShowsIt will advance, and then every third artist will be rescued by the trainer. For Team Blake, America voted for alternative singer-songwriter Buddy and country sweetheart Brayden Lab, as you might expect, though it was a bit of a surprise when Blake Shelton chose to bail out teen pop singer Rowan Grace over “Straight Down the Middle” by country singer Bryce Leatherwood. , which was Blake So He’d almost certainly make the Top 13. But Blake revealed that he strategically based that decision on “who’s already passed,” so he probably thought Bryce and Brayden would cancel each other out in future votes. Or, perhaps, perhaps, Blake was so simple that (Spoiler alert) Bryce can win an instant save.

For Team Legend, America voted rightfully so with deserving teen singer Barrigita Bastola (as I guessed) and rock synthesizer Omar Jose Cardona (John was right about that score; I was wrong). Then Jon saved The Velvet Powerhouse’s Kim Cruse, of course — and since I assumed America would vote for Kim’s dynamite cover Aretha Franklin, Team Legend’s top three line-up ended up as I predicted anyway.

For Team Gwen, America voted for new-school songwriter Kiqué (he looked shocked, but I sure wasn’t) and old-school soul Justin Aaron, just as I’d call it. It came as no surprise, either, when Gwen Stefani rescued the much-loved “Muffin,” and 19-year-old pop star Alyssa Witrado — though her recently stolen rival, Kevin Hawkins, with whom she clearly shared a less solid bond, performed. Stronger Monday.

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And that left new coach Camila Capello and her team. America (and I) dubbed country-rock badass Morgan Miles and feline-cool Deviks, and while I was glad (and unsurprised) that Camila saved dynamite showman Eric Ho, a.k.a. the star of Eric who offeredMy heart goes out to former front runner Kate Calvatch, who performed Monday Derailed due to technical issues It was in no way her fault, which she handled like a true professional.

But all is not yet lost for Kate – or for Bryce, Kevin or Team Legend’s Sasha Hurtado – as they sing for redemption and a spot in the top 13, all doing tunes of their choice. I thought Price going with “Let Me Down Easy” – a Billy Currington song, not a Chris Isaak song, which would have been more interesting – was an odd choice for the Save-me song. It was almost no vocal presentation, and the feeling seemed almost defeatist, as if he was expecting to go home. I understood this, in addition to the fact that he was singing in the first place disadvantaged, that Bryce meant Will be go home. But (Spoiler alert) I should never have underestimated this show’s dedicated voter/fan base of Blake. “I wasn’t too nervous about putting Bryce in this situation,” Blake confirmed.

Sasha’s cover of “Elastic Heart” was a great fight anthem, and her trainer John told her, “I love that you picked this song about flexibility!” It was a beguiling song, full of lyrics, and there were moments where Sasha clearly struggled to keep up, but it really worked in the end as her confidence grew. It probably wouldn’t be enough to save Sasha from elimination, but John praises her for “never being afraid of the moment – you always rise to the occasion.”

And so, it seemed like it was going to come down to Kevin and Kate. He. She seemed This way anyway.

Choosing Kevin to do Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” was a risk, albeit on-brand…but man, has he ever pulled it off! This was the most exciting performance of the night, with complete ambience. It was obviously really Kevin wantedThis victory, and he got deeper and deeper into the groove while working in that flexible way and working the crowd like a true star. And the crowd loved it, and the four coaches even gave him a standing ovation. “Wow, the room Explosionraves Gwen, who sure was guessing her decision to save undercooked Alyssa over seasoned Kevin. Everyone is blown away by you. I can’t even speak, it’s so loud in here right now! “

Kate went last—historically the best spot-save spot—and while Miley Cyrus’ 2010 theme “When I Look at You” wasn’t the best choice for a fight song, and Kate’s performance wasn’t quite as daring or fiery as Kevin’s, there was no question that Kate has the best voice. At night. Her clear tone was exquisite, and this time, her redeeming performance went off without a hitch. “Kate, oh my God! Everyone freaked out. I choked.” everybody “Choke up,” Camilla gushed. “You have one of the best voices this entire season.” Later, Camilla declared that Kate had “one of my favorite voices of all time.”

But America clearly disagreed, and voters at home went “straight to the middle” for… Price, of course. Price actually gave the weakest performance out of those four contestants, but this kind of disappointing result seems to happen every season with Team Blake; Perhaps this outcome wasn’t so unexpected after all. It’ll be interesting to see if the regular country singers do this well, and get over this easily, once Blake leaves. the sound After season 23.

But in the meantime, the top 13 of Season 22 – including Bryce – will be back next Monday to compete again. I’ll see you later.

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