The Voice Episodic Oct 21 H 2014
Tyler Golden/NBCThe battles wrapped on The Voice on Tuesday, with the felt presence of one of the series’ other rotating coaches.
“Don’t try to ever be Christina Aguilera! I can’t be her, and neither can you!” shouted Stevie Nicks at one point to two of Adam Levine’s singers. Imitation may the most sincere form of flattery, but it may not be what wins a match.
The episode of sudden-death duets were aided with guest mentors: Nicks to Levine, Little Big Town to Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys to Pharrell Williams, and Gavin Rossdale to Gwen Stefani.
See more ‘The Voice’: Meet the Season 7 Singers
See who will are the last to continue beyond the battles:
Team Pharrell’s Ricky Manning vs. Brittany Butler
Song: “On Broadway”
The R&B hopeful and the jazz standout both needed to stretch for the George Benson classic, and though the song choice seems to favor Manning’s full voice, it became a canvas for a scatting Butler. But in the ring, the coaches praised Manning’s vast improvement (and complimented his odd resemblance to Joaquin Phoenix!) and wished the music student had let loose a bit more. Looks like it’s not all about tone — in the end, Williams went with Manning, leaving the show to let Butler go. (How?!) Williams and Stefani encouraged her backstage: “The world needs that jazz.”
Team Blake’s Reagan James vs. Kensington Moore
Song: “Team”
The Lorde hit was right in the wheelhouse for James, thought pitchy, and Moore initially struggled with her confidence. For the first time ever, a contestant was feeling too ill for the second rehearsal, leaving James to rehearse with Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman while Moore struggled with kidney stones. Moore stepped up for the band rehearsal, but in the ring, the coaches praised James over Moore, especially how she recovered after forgetting a lyric. Shelton picked James.
The episode also quickly noted that Stefani moved Bryana Salaz forward over Gianna Salvato, as well as Anita Antoinette over Mayra Alvarez. Shelton also picked Allison Bray over Fernanda Bosch.
See more ‘The Voice’ Coaches’ Best and Worst Moments: From Push-Ups to Empty Praise
Team Adam’s Beth Spangler vs. Mia Pfirrman
Song: “I Turn to You”
The two four-chair turns were tasked with interpreting — not necessarily imitating — Christina Aguilera on the rotating coach’s ballad. “Don’t try to ever be Christina Aguilera! I can’t be her, and neither can you!” said Nicks, while Levine advised the raw talents, “Less is definitely more here.” Their two tones stood out, but Shelton and Stefani preferred Pfirrman and Williams wanted Spangler. Levine agreed and went with Pfirrman, leaving Stefani to strategically use her last steal on Spangler as she gave her a goodbye hug.
The Voice continues Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC with Taylor Swift.
Email: Ashley.Lee@THR.com
Twitter: @cashleelee
