The Voice Season 25: John and Dan and Shay Pick Their Playoff Teams

Team Legend: Nathan Chester sang Oh Darling! by The Beatles-- Reba says he had her at the beginning. Chance loved his choreography and tone. Dan and Shay said it was his best performance. John agreed and liked his conviction. Wow! Everyone was on their feet, for me, that was a masterclass performance. Nathan is a force to be reckoned with. He has so much passion and you can tell he really wants this. This performance was EVERYTHING!

Team Dan and Shay: Karen Waldrup sang Heart Like a Truck by Lainey Wilson-- Reba said she wanted Karen on her team. Chance loves how she interacts with the crowd and her confidence. Dan and Shay are proud of how she has progressed. There is no denying Karen's voice. I think she has experienced more growth than the majority of the contestants on the show this season. 

Team Legend: Kamalei Kawa'a sang No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley-- Reba loves how he conveys strength in his singing. John likes how he is honoring Bob Marley's legacy. I wish John had pushed Kamalei to diversify his song selection more. I think he has a good voice but I feel like I have heard him sing all the same type of song. 

Team Dan and Shay: Anya True sang All Too Well by Taylor Swift-- John says it felt like the right song for her and he found her performance compelling. Dan and Shay said it was their fave Anya performance. 

Team Legend: Bryan Olesen sang Africa by Toto-- John said he was glad that he used his playoff pass on Bryan cause he deserved it. He said he felt like he was at Bryan's concert. Reba called him the perfect package. Chance said he is 100% a rockstar. 

Team Dan and Shay: Olivia Rubini sang I'll Stand by You by The Pretenders-- John said Olivia you are always such a wonderful singer. You were trying to find some rock and roll in your voice but it wasn't the right place for this song. I agree with John, I didn't like how she put those random high parts in there. 

Team Legend: Mafe sang Someone Like You by Adele-- Chance said I think she should go to the lives. Shay said you're an amazing singer and should definitely go to the lives. Shay didn't like the melodic changes she made; John disagreed. Great song choice for Mafe! I loved this, she also gets into a place where she does similar song but she is special enough. 

Team Day and Shay: Tae Lewis sang Runnin' Outta Moonlight by Randy Hauser-- I thought this performance was good. I think Tae is someone you can count on to always deliver a consistent performance. Chance said he would put Tae on his playoff team. Reba said that everyone wants to hear what Tae is going to do next. Dan and Shay felt he delivered. 

Team Legend: Zoe Levert sang Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls-- Chance said it was his favorite performance. Chance said she is so captivating. Dan has loved every performance she has done. Reba said girl toy brought, your voice, your stage presence, your look, absolutely beautiful. John you gotta take her to the lives. John said Zoe is becoming a star before our eyes. She's contender for me, she's unique, she's true to herself. I love Zoe. 

Team Dan and Shay: Madison Curbelo sang Landslide by Fleetwood Mac-- Reba said I love your voice, you gave me chills. Chance said I want a copy of that performance, I want to listen to it again. John said what you did up there felt so easy. Shay said I could talk about you all night. I loved that! I was definitely getting Selena vibes but she is also all her own. That was so touching and heartfelt. 

My picks for John: Nathan, Mafe, and Zoe 

My picks for Dan and Shay: Karen, Tae, and Madison

UPDATE: 

The only one I got wrong.... I picked Mafe, John picked Bryan who I do think it actually talented. The rest I got totally right, 5/6! 

The Voice Season 25: Surprisingly Jaded Beginning to the Knockouts

Team Reba: Asher HaVon sang Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton versus Tae Lewis sang Nothin' on You by Cody Johnson-- Asher sounded amazing, I love how he sang the song the way a man would sing it. The tone of his voice is incredible, the runs he did at the end, and the way he improvised and made the song his own is proof that he should continue in this competition. Tae's performance was so soulful. I can see him being on the radio and being a country star right now. Chance said it was one of the best performances he has seen on The Voice. Dan and Shay said Asher's runs were intentional, Tae stepped up. John said Asher was regal and his low notes were sang with so much power. He said Tae sang the hell out of that. John promised a spot for whoever did not get chosen. Reba voiced how proud she is of both of them. 
Reba chose Asher and everyone tried to steal Tae!! Tae chose Dan and Shay.

Team Dan and Shay: Olivia Rubini sang Tiny Dancer by Elton John versus Frank Garcia sang El Triste-- I think it's hard to sing in Spanish with a song that is not particularly well known. I think Olivia is the stronger vocalist, but I think this was the wrong song for her. I would have liked to have seen her sing something more contemporary like a Tate McRae or Olivia Rodrigo. John compliments the richness of Frank's voice and the range of Olivia's. Dan and Shay said Frank blew them away and Olivia came such a long way from rehearsals. Dan and Shay chose Olivia. 

Team Legend: Nathan Chester sang Fooled Around and Fell in Love by Elvin Bishop versus Val T. Webb sang Sweet Love by Anita Baker-- Nathan is a throwback to another time. I just love the ease of his voice and the songs he chooses for himself, he knows who he is as an artist. I think Val is great, seasoned pro, and strong voice, but I am leaning more towards Nathan, I am just more excited with his vocal and the total package. Dan and Shay loved the way Nathan got into the performance and there was something that moved them about his performance. John loved the high's of Val's performance. With Nathan, there was something cinematic about his performance, like he was living in another time and bringing that character to life. John chose Nathan. 

Team Chance: Dani Stacy sang Jaded by Miley Cyrus versus Serenity Arce sang Unfaithful by Rihanna-- Loved Dani's performance, song choice was great for her, and she made the song her own. She didn't do it exactly the way Miley does which was great, but she has some of that rasp that Miley does. It seemed that Serenity struggled a little through that. Chance said Dani you are a talented vocalist and I loved your passion on stage. Serenity you took a lot of risks, but compared to other performances, this was not as solid. Chance chose Serenity because she is passionate and was willing to go for it with her performance. 

Team Reba: Ashley Bryant sang Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina versus Josh Sanders sang Wild as Her by Corey Kent-- Josh gave an awesome performance. I loved it, I feel like he took all the feedback Reba and Keith Urban gave him. I felt that performance. Ashley was great too! I feel like she has grown quite a bit in this competition. Chance said cool performance to Ashley, but I wanted more risks. Josh you took all the risks, he's leaning more toward Josh. Shay said Josh that last note was absolute fire. Dan and Shay would give the edge to Josh. John loved the cry in Ashley's voice; Josh, you stuck the landing with that note at the end. Reba said I love you both, thanks for taking the journey. Reba chose Josh. 

Team Dan and Shay: Anya True sang Runaway by Aurora versus Kyle Schuesler sang Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur-- I have to be honest, the song Anya chose did not resonate with me at all. I enjoy her as an artist and vocalist but I was not moved by that performance. I dislike the song choice but I think Kyle is a little stronger as a vocalist and understands his identity as an artist a little better than Anya. John liked Anya's tone; Kyle your voice has a magical and powerful quality. He would go with Kyle. Chance said Kyle I get excited to see you perform; Anya I really like your voice, so delicate. He'd lean towards Anya. Dan and Shay said that they needed more time. They chose Anya. Chance stole Kyle. 

Who did I love from tonight? 

Asher, Tae, Nathan, and Kyle. Serenity is talented but fell a little for me tonight. 

 

The Voice Season 25: The Last of the Battles and My Top 10!

Team Reba: Elyscia Jefferson versus Ashley Bryant sang If I Were a Boy by Beyonce-- Wow Elyscia was giving me Brandy vibes. Chance said Ashley you surprised me. Elyscia you exude star quality the way you carry yourself. Dan and Shay said Elyscia you had so much control. John said Elyscia you have cool stylistic choices, people need to see you and hear you. Ashley you sang that song, it was brilliant, it was beautiful. I actually think Ashley gave the best vocal performance of this song. Reba said Ashley, high praise from John Legend. Elyscia you did great tonight as well. Reba chose Ashley. 

Team Legend: Mafe versus Rivers Grayson sang You've Got a Friend by James Taylor-- Wow, what a gorgeous rendition of this song. They both sounded amazing. Chance said Rivers I like your tone. Mafe you have such a strong identity as a singer, you know who you are. Shay said Rivers your voice is so present. Mafe your range is everywhere. If I had to choose one, I'd choose Mafe. John said Rivers what you did was so amazing, you were low and quiet yet resonating. Mafe those runs you do are tight, modern, and interesting. John chose Mafe. 

Montaged: 

Team Dan and Shay: Anya True versus AJ Harvey sang Half of my Heart by John Mayer-- Love the song choice. Dan and Shay loved Anya's growth, and they loved how AJ stepped up. Dan and Shay chose Anya. 

Team Chance: Rletto versus Val T Webb sang Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston-- Wow! Wow, Wow! That was amazing. Dan called the performance iconic. Shay said Rletto you have the signature tone. I can't wait to buy your records, that was timeless. John said Rletto you have such character and vibe. Val your voice is pure and beautiful. Reba said Val, you reminded us why you got a four chair turn. Chance said Rletto you showed out, Val you are a generational talent. Chance chose Rletto. John stole Val. 

My Top 10 (in no particular order) 

Serenity Arce

Anya True

Jackie Romeo

Asher HaVon

Tae Lewis 

Bryan Olesen

Madison Curbelo

Mafe 

Alyssa Crosby

The Voice Season 25, Week 2: These auditions are going to the Ceilings!

Episode 3: 

Bryan Olesen sang Til the Love Runs Out by One Republic-- This was a great performance; I enjoy Bryan's energy. Apparently he used to sing lead for a popular Christian group Newsboys. Everyone turned except Chance. Dan and Shay said that they thought someone famous was performing. Bryan has a grown daughter and she sings as well. Wow, this family is talented. He ended up choosing Team Legend. 

Frank Garcia sang Love in the Dark-- he has such a full round tone. Frank totally reminds me of Sam Smith. Dan and Shay are the only ones to turn and I don't quite understand. 

Kamalei Kawa sang Redemption Song by Bob Marley-- It's clear that Kamalei feels this song and is passionate about the lyrics and his culture. I loved every choice he made in that performance. I loved when he went into his falsetto. I was surprised that Chance and Reba were the only ones who turned. Chance felt his passion. Reba said the performance touched her heart and felt spiritual to her. Kamalei chose Chance. 

Ashley Bryant sang Last Name by Carrie Underwood-- This performance felt a little ordinary to me, but Ashley has an interesting story. Queen Reba turned and if anyone can find her star quality, it's Reba. 

Asher Havon sang Set Fire to the Rain by Adele-- Everyone turned except John. Asher has a round full voice; he grew up singing in church and you can tell. Reba says she could not wait to turn to see what he looks like. Dan and Shay commented on his lower register and high notes. Chance said he can tell that he is in it to win. Asher chose Reba. 

Jackie Romeo sang Flowers by Miley Cyrus-- I have to be honest, John turned immediately, and then Dan and Shay turned for her, but I would not have, she was pretty pitchy. There were some definite issues throughout. Dan and Shay admitted that she seemed nervous. John felt like this song was perfect for her. 
Jackie chose John. 

Rivers Grayson sang Babylon by David Gray-- I wasn't particularly moved by this, but John did turn and called his performance subtle, he said it had beauty. 
John chose Rivers. 

Corey Curtis sang Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer-- I loved this performance and loved Corey, he seems to really love singing and performing. He is so good! And I am so shocked that no one else turned except Chance. Chance said he gave a great performance, he wants to see him enunciate more and believes he can help him do that. Corey joined Team Chance. 

Madison Curbelo sang Stand by Me-- One of my fave performances and voices. She reminds me of Selena for some reason. I loved how she made this song her own. This was a four chair turn-- John turned first, then Dan and Shay, Chance, and lastly Reba turned right at the end. Reba thought she did a great job on the song. John suggests the album title, "Finding Madison". Chance talked a lot about Madison's cool energy. Dan and Shay said she radiated light and joy and her voice was flawless. Madison chose Dan and Shay. 

Episode 4: 

Anya True sang Until I Found You by Steven Sanchez-- Interesting song choice. She does have an indie rocker sound. She could be a dark horse in the competition. Chance and Dan and Shay turned. Dan and Shay loved her vulnerability and said she has an Olivia Rodrigo vibe. They believe she could win this. Chance loved her falsetto and wants to learn more about her. Anya chose Dan and Shay. 

William Alexander sang Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine-- This young man is so talented. Wow! His voice is so gentle yet powerful and full of emotion. Chance and Reba turned pretty quickly. Reba said his voice is a beautiful gift. Chance looked so moved and excited about William's performance. He complimented his control and unique tone. William chose Reba. 

Alyssa Crosby sang Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrissette-- Reba was the only one who turned. I need to agree with Dan and Shay on this one, she was a little too pitchy. Alyssa joined Team Reba. 

Rletto sang Golden Hour by JVKE-- He is giving me all sorts of Michael Jackson vibes. I loved his version of this song. Chance turned early and Reba at the last minute. I loved how he ended the song. Reba complimented his runs and vocals. Chance felt his runs were intentional and he said he loves doing big songs. Rletto chose Chance. 

Bri Fletcher sang I'm With You and joined Team Chance

Rob Cole-- no one turned

Mafe sang Besame Mucho-- Mafe is just amazing! It will be great to hear her sing something contemporary. Being on The Voice is about being yourself but also having versatility. This was such a great four chair turn. Chance said she has extreme talent. Reba said Mafe touched her heart and soul. John called it thrilling and magical. Shay said Mafe is proof that music is the universal language. Chance surprisingly told Mafe that she should choose Team Legend.