The Voice Season 26: The Party is Not Over Til the Top 8 Sing Live for a Spot in the Finale

Team Snoop: Christina Eagle sang Man I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain-- I agree Christina is a better entertainer than she is a singer. But that is a big part of the industry today, she always brings such fire and passion to her performances. Reba said the performance was wonderful and she knocked it out of the park. 

Team Gwen: Jan Dan sang Open Arms by Journey-- I feel like this is a little bit of a sleepy song choice for Jan Dan. His past performances have been successful because he has chosen meaningful songs and put some soul into them. Michael complimented his song choice. Gwen said every single note was perfect.  

Team Reba: Adam Bohanan sang What's Going On by Marvin Gaye-- Loved this rendition of the song and how he stayed true to the melody but made it his own. Gwen said you're easy but in control. Snoop said I've watched you grow on this show and I'm proud. Reba said that happiness and joyfulness is infectious. 

Team Gwen: Sydney Sterlace sang When the Party's Over by Billie Eilish-- I love this song. Sydney is just so mature and talented beyond her years. This performance was just stunning, her vocals were flawless and everyone was on their feet. Snoop said Sydney, my God, you just always make me shed a tear. You've grown so much on the show. Michael said you're so settled in yourself, you picked a tough song, you came out here and powered through that and made it yours. Gwen said, I am blown away. You make us all feel something. 

Tean Buble: Shye sang The Joke by Brandi Carlile-- I loved the way Shye interpreted this song. It was emotional and heartfelt. I thought the way she ended the song was so impactful to have just her voice. The coaches were all on their feet. Gwen said with this song I can see what you're going to become. Your voice is so timeless, unique, and identifiable. Reba said your voice stood out from the first time I heard you. You mesmerize me, great performance. Michael said, I have never heard anyone that sounds like you Shye. 

Team Snoop: Jeremy Beloate sang I Who Have Nothing by Tom Jones-- Every performance with Jeremy is big, it's a production, it's epic. It's like we have gone to this blockbuster movie and the lead song from the soundtrack comes on at the end. Snoop just left. LOL. Gwen said, Jeremy, you're just rare. I love it. That was amazing. Snoop said, America, pick up your phone and vote for Jeremy. 

Team Reba: Danny Joseph sang I Was Wrong by Chris Stapleton-- Wow! I loved Danny's performance, there is something so polished and real about him. He needs to make a record, like he has paid his dues and deserves it. Gwen said you're just so cool, you're weird, you play the guitar, I love you. Reba said way to go Danny, I loved what you played on the guitar, your performance was so great, so proud of you.  

Team Buble: Sofronio Vasquez sang If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley-- That was such a genuine and heartfelt performance. The song and the dynamics just grew and grew and grew. Michael just said that he is so proud of Sofronio. 

My top 5 predictions: Sydney, Sofronio, Shye, Jeremy, and Danny 

Team Gwen: Road to the Playoffs

Machine Gun Kelly (MJK, as he is now known) is the advisor for Team Gwen. 

Team Gwen: 

Jose Luis sang No More Drama by Mary J Blige-- Jose was jamming with this song. That was soulful and raw. The coaches were all on their feet. Snoop said you made a Mary J. Blige song your song, I would push to get you to the final two. Reba said your vocals were absolutely incredible, I know people who have been in this business a long time who are not as charismatic as you. 

Jake Tankersley sang The Painter by Cody Johnson-- Snoop said I'm a proud uncle. I don't see how Gwen could send you home. Reba loved his range on the song. I agree that it was so heartfelt. Gwen said you brought out the emotion and took my notes. I agree with Reba, he is authentic and sounds so country, the whole package.

Gabrielle Zabosky sang Listen to Your Heart by Roxette-- Michael said you've grown exponentially. Snoop enjoyed her dynamics. Gwen said you've grown so much and I am so proud of you. I agree with Reba, there were times where she looked panicked but then she would find herself. She sounded beautiful though. 

Jan Dan sang Dust in the Wind by Kansas-- I think so far Jan Dan and Jose are my faves of the night. I love his voice and his song choices have been so spot on. He is someone who knows who he is as an artist. Gorgeous performance. Reba said I love the way you vocalize. Michael said with all these genres, what else do you have up your sleeve. Snoop loved how he put his spin on it. Gwen said you're just so cool. 

Sydney Sterlace sang Betty by Taylor Swift-- Sydney has unreal intuition and musicality as an artist. Michael said I'm blown away by your voice. Reba said I love your range. Snoop said you've always been a favorite of mine. I'm going to come watch you at your shows. Gwen said she can bring it under the pressure.  

Gwen chose Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace to move forward. Everyone on Gwen's team was good, I feel like she could not have gone wrong with any of them, but I like who she chose, and I think I agree with her decision. I am a little sad to see Jose Luis go. 

The Voice Season 26: These are some "angelic" knockouts...

Team Reba: 

Danny Joseph sang It Hurt so Bad by Susan Tedeschi-- This was amazing! I loved all the emotion and soul and blues he put into this performance. 

Lauren Michael Sellers sang Hold On To Me by Lauren Daigle-- Lauren sounds amazing with every song she interprets. 

Tate Renner sang In Color by Jamey Johnson-- Tate is a natural storyteller. There was also a little bit of gravel in his voice that I liked. 

Michael and Snoop turned for all three and wanted them on their teams. Gwen said she would pick Lauren, but also liked Danny. Reba is proud of all three. She picked Lauren and saved Danny, Snoop wanted to steal Danny. 

Team Gwen:

Mor left the competition. 

Jan Dan sang Angels Like You by Miley Cyrus-- I had actually never heard this song, it was perfect for him. 

Sydney Sterlace sang Bruises by Lewis Capaldi-- Sydney is just mature beyond her years, I love the way she expresses herself and emotes with every song she sings. 

Snoop said they both picked the perfect songs for their voices. He said Sydney you could win the show. Reba said she has been a fan of Jan's voice for a long time. She said Sydney I don't believe you are 15 years old. Gwen liked how Jan Dan puts R&B spins on current songs. She said, Sydney you are so gifted and you've grown. Gwen chose Sydney. Jan said, Gwen, I have loved being on your team, Sydney's voice blows my mind. As he was about to walk out, he hugged Gwen and she pushed her button to save!

Somewhat montaged-- 

Team Snoop:

Georgia Starnes sang Parachute by Chris Stapleton-- 

Mary McAvoy sang High and Dry by Radiohead-- 

Aliyah Khaylyn sang Angel by Halle Bailey-- 

Snoop chose Aliyah, she was the right choice here! She is also someone I believe could win the competition. 

Team Snoop: 

ChrisDeo sang Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth-- ChrisDeo has such a sweet voice. She has grown since the beginning and has so much confidence. 

Mikaela Ayira sang Scars to your Beautiful by Alessia Cara-- I love Mikaela's attitude, it really came through in her performance. You could tell she is connected to the message of the song. Also loved her dynamics in the song. 

Torre Blake sang Slow Burn by Kacey Musgraves-- At times. Torre was giving me an Alicia Keys vibe. I loved this song for her and the soul that she breathed into it. 

Reba called ChrisDeo so sweet and said she would choose her. Gwen loved Torre as a fan, Mikaela worked the stage, ChrisDeo is a pure real deal artist. Snoop I don't gotta choose. Michael said I love that my girls are gonna watch this show and see strong, powerful women. Snoop said I am so torn, I loved each and every one of you. I wish all three. of you could move forward. I am honored to have been your coach, you have affected me for the rest of my life. Snoop chose Mikaela. ChrisDeo was crying as she thanked Snoop for giving her confidence that she never had before. It was beautiful to see how moved Snoop was. 

Team Buble:

Jeremy Belate sang Golden Hour by JVKE-- This was amazing! The high notes were unreal and the way he sang it, it felt like a love letter. 

Kiara Vega sang Call Out My Name by The Weeknd-- She made me feel everything in this song. I loved how she grabbed this and felt it. 

Sofronio Vasquez sang You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield-- Sofronio turned this into a soulful power ballad. This was amazing. The end. 

Michael said, I made a big mistake, I never should have put these people together. Snoop said, Sofronio I always love you even though you didn't pick me. Kiara you put a chill down my back. Jeremy you gave the best performance to me. If Buble slip up, I'll steal you. Reba said Sofronio your stage presence is incredible and your voice. Gwen would choose Jeremy, she said she had chills. Michael said, Sofronio, Jennifer threw her shoes at you. Kiara, you remind me of Ariana, you are both small but you both pack a punch. Jeremy you killed it man, I am so proud of you.  Michael chose Sofronio and Snoop stole Jeremy. 

The Voice Season 26: The Battles Begin

Team Snoop: Christina Eagle vs. Gail Bliss singing Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson-- Both ladies performed well. Gail came off as a seasoned pro; however Christina was exciting to watch and listen to. Her vocal was just captivating. I would go with Christina. Reba and Michael couldn't pick. Gwen said despite liking both of them, she could not take her eyes off Christina. Snoop picked Christina. 

Team Gwen: Sloan Simon vs. Sydney Sterlace singing Birds of Feather by Billie Eilish-- Both of these ladies are great. I thought the song was a little off in spots but they're both so polished that it did not really matter. They're both so young and I continue to be amazed with how good they are! Sydney is 15!  Sloan's maturity showed through here. Michael felt Sydney's nerves. Snoop won't choose. Like Michael, Reba said she would lean towards Sloan. Gwen felt Sloan is more ready, but nevertheless, she chose Sydney. The three other coaches all attempted to steal Sloan. Sloan picked Michael. 

Team Reba: Alison Elena vs. Kendall Eugene singing Bring on the Rain by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw-- I thought both of them brought value to the performance. Alison has a beautiful voice. I think for me, what Kendall brought was this hunger for the competition and then passion and intensity in the performance, I'd go with Kendall. Snoop and Gwen couldn't choose and Michael said he would go with Alison. Reba chose Kendall. 

Team Snoop: Eliza Pryor vs. Mikaela Ayira singing A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton-- I really loved the arrangement on that.  I have to agree with Snoop's choice here. He went with Mikaela. I think Eliza would have been the safer choice but I love Mikaela's tone and how she took this well known pop song and made it her own, even put a little R&B spin on it. Snoop believes he can help Mikaela overcome her flaws. 

Team Gwen: Jaylen Dunham vs. Jan Dan singing Once in my Life by Stevie Wonder-- I thought this performance was just okay. Maybe the song needed to have more dynamics, be a little more challenging? Jaylen did so great being so young and going up against such a seasoned vocalist like Jan Dan. Gwen ultimately said she had to pick the person who is ready now. She chose Jan Dan. 

Team Buble: Kiara Vega vs. Mor Ilderton singing Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls-- I truly love both of them, but something about Mor that is so different and so unique. Reba is crying, she calls Mor a stylist and says she would pick him. Gwen likes Kiara's presence but thinks Mor has a unique style. Michael picks Kiara and at the last minute, Gwen saves Mor! 

The Voice: Season 26 .... to watch or not to watch?

Premiere, Night One: 

I was debating whether I wanted to watch The Voice this season. I was not particularly enthused with the mix of coaches this season. I like Gwen but she's never been a great coach. I love Reba. I was not sure what to think about Michael Buble, but I am really impressed with him.  I thought Snoop was going to be corny as hell and I am still not 100% sure who the real Snoop is, but I like this person on The Voice. 

This season, there’s a new cool feature and it’s called the coaches replay. It allows a coach to hit the button after the contestant’s performance is over, it’s kind of like a do over if the coach messed up and didn’t turn. 

There are some great singers this season! Kicking it all off was Jake Tankersley singing Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan-- This ended up being a four chair turn. Jake has a great voice, he had a Chris Stapleton sound to me. I loved the gravel in his voice. Gwen used her block on Reba but it didn't matter because Jake was all about the Snoop D-O double G. 

Sofronio Vasquez came out singing I'm Going Down by Mary J. Blige-- I loved how he made this song his own. I didn't hear a shred of Mary J. and I loved that. This was another four chair turn and this time Michael came out on top. I think what sold it was Michael's connection to his fans in the Phillippines as that's where Sofronio is from.  

Jan Dan sang Almost Doesn't Count by Brandy-- I have to be honest, this seemed very ordinary to me, nothing really stood out here. Michael and Gwen turned and Jan picked Team Gwen. 

Danny Joseph sang I Put a Spell on You by Screamin Joe Hawkins-- This guy is so good! I love how he went so long and is still undiscovered. This was another well deserved four chair turn and Snoop blocked Michael. Danny is from London living in Austin, Texas. He has so much soul, character, and control in his voice. Danny chose Reba! 

Torre Blake sang On & On by Erykah Badu— I loved Torre, she was soulful and a little different than the norm, there’s something about her vibe that is really cool. Her dad played in the NFL. Gwen and Snoop ended up turning and Torre picked Snoop. 

Kendall Eugene sang Don’t Think Jesus by Morgan Wallen— This was one of my favorite performances and to think he almost didn’t make it! Reba used her replay on Kendall. I don’t understand why no one turned to begin with. I thought he was great and I loved that he sang a faith based song. 

Not particularly notable… Kiara Vega sang Amor Eterno and went to Team Buble and Chrisdeo sang I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz and she picked Team Snoop. 

Last of night one, Sydney Sterlace sang Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo— hard to believe Sydney is only 15! She was so emotionally connected to the song. This was a rightful and well deserved four chair turn. Sydney chose Team Gwen. 

Blinds Part Two:

Dreion sang Shining Star by Earth, Wind, and Fire-- All four coaches ultimately turned. What I loved about Dreion is that he has an amazing voice with great dynamics. He also has this cool stage presence. You don't always have artists who have the voice and that energy on stage. I think Dreion would have been great with Michael but he ultimately chose Snoop. 

Mor Ilderton sang Coal by Dylan Gossett-- I absolutely loved this performance. I think he is going to do well on the show. I am shocked that he has never performed before. Michael turned first and blocked Reba. He did the right thing because he has a very country and folksy sound. Michael loved his distinct voice. Reba said his voice was sexy. And Snoop said country and gangsta go together. Mor chose Michael. 

Felsmere sang Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad-- Felsmere is all the way from Season one. I loved her take on this song, it was very bluesy and sultry. Michael and Gwen turned. Gwen said she would help Felsmere figure out who she is. Felsmere chose Gwen. 

Kamila Kiehne sang Black Velvet-- I was not as crazy about this performance as a few of the coaches were-- Reba, Michael, and Snoop turned pretty quickly. I did think her voice was shaky in certain points. The Canadian connection did it, Kamila chose Team Buble. 

Tanner Frick sang Thought You Should Know by Morgan Wallen-- This was a fave performance of mine. I loved Tanner's honesty. This ultimately became a well deserved four chair turn. Snoop turned first and said Tanner's uniqueness really came through. Reba said his growl is reminiscent of Chris Stapleton. Tanner chose Team Reba. 

Rowdy Shea sang You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This by Toby Keith-- This was an interesting one, country singer Gwen and Michael turned but no Reba. She has an ear for talent. Rowdy chose Gwen. 

323 (a trio) sang You Drive Me Crazy by Britney Spears-- I always appreciate a group. They are good, not great, but good. I would love to see what one of the coaches can do with them. Michael and Reba turned, and they chose Team Reba. 

Gail Bliss sang If It Hadn't Been for Love-- Gail played Patsy Kline in a show for 30 years. She's 61 and the oldest in the competition. She is good! No one turned. Snoop decided that he was going to use his replay on her and rightfully so. He said the spirit of his mom inspired him. 

Austyns Stancil sang Oh Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson-- Austyns has an amazing voice. Michael mentioned this and I agree. I love how he went from his falsetto into his mid range. It was beautiful. He's naturally gifted as a vocalist and that's actually quite rare. Well deserved four chair turn. Austyns picks Team Gwen. 

So I want to do something this year called a Voice Fantasy Team! I want to pick all my faves and put them on a Fantasy Team and I am going to make similar cuts the way they do on the show. Only my faves! I am going to pick 25 out of everyone who gets through. 

Fantasy Team 

1 Jake Tankersley

2. Danny Joseph

3. Kendall Eugene

4. Sydney Sterlace

5. Mor Ilderton

6. Felsmere

7. Tanner Frick

8. Austyns Stancil