Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for ‘The Voice’ Season 26 Episode 15.From five to two. The Voice Season 26 Playoffs are here, and the coaches are about to make some of the most critical decisions of the season. But will they be the right ones? Throughout the game, vets and rookies alike have made some power moves that have helped bring them to this point. They’ve also allowed some brilliant artists to simply walk away. Will history repeat itself? All signs point to yes.
For the Playoffs premiere, Gwen Stefani will showcase her five artists, only bringing two singers to the live shows. While Sting served as the Team Gwen mentor for the Knockouts, she’s brought in a new artist to help out her team: Machine Gun Kelly. Yes, that’s right, MGK. He’s a bold and unique performer that knows the business and how to crossover into multiple genres. Before the coaching even begins, we learn a fun fact about Gwen Stefani: She’s slightly dyslexic, so she tells MGK it’s going to be difficult to refer to him by this moniker. She also mentions the humor that she “has that song about spelling bananas.” It’s quite the way to refer to one of the greatest tracks of the early 2000s! “Hollaback Girl” is an anthem. But alas, let’s get to the singers.
Machine Gun Kelly Takes His Mentor Role Seriously
Jose Luis is called a monster by his coach. She sees him as a gift for her team but says she doesn’t know how to coach him, so she’ll just be her cheerleader. Which is funny since cheerleaders are fond of spelling words, and we just learned Gwen is not! Machine Gun Kelly does what some mentors on The Voice tend to disregard: his homework. He shares that he has seen Jose Luis’ previous performance, so he is able to offer advice based on more than just an in-the-moment rehearsal. Could MGK be a future coach?
For his Playoff performance, Jose Luis takes on “No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige. Hoping to bring a personal connection to the song, this is his moment to break free from the bullying he experienced as a kid for being too feminine. Jose Luis, who is joined on stage by backup singers, proves that he could seamlessly transition over to the world of professional music. He looks like a star as he owns the stage. It’s by far his most controlled and realized performance this season. If it had been on an award show, the internet would surely be ablaze about that star-making performance.
Because every coach has a steal during the Knockouts, each of them will have a first-time coaching experience with a singer in one of the most crucial rounds of the game. For Gwen, this is her first time working with Jake Tankersley, whom she stole from Snoop Dogg. He is an authentic country singer who is hoping to bring that to the stage. After Machine Gun Kelly asks who his country music influence is, MGK advises him to bring a little Johnny Cash to the stage. He’s eager to hear the mystery that Johnny Cash was known for. He sings “The Painter” by Cody Johnson. Tankersley’s not quite the Man in Black, but his performance is solid. It’s safe. The singer has the ability to bring a radio-ready sound to the country charts, he’s just lacking the dynamic that his competitors naturally have.
Reinventing a Song Is the Key to Success on ‘The Voice’
Stuck in the middle of the pack is Gabrielle Zabosky. In the world of music competition shows, being shoved in the middle of the evening’s events tends to not bode as well as those who get the glory spots of first or last. But the quirky and charismatic Zabosky can easily break the mold. During her coaching, she has an instant connection with MGK. He is even ecstatic to learn that she quit her job at Olive Garden to be there, hopping out of his chair to give her a fist bump.
In hopes of making an impression, Zabosky opts for a slowed-down piano rendition of “Listen To Your Heart” by Roxette. Her artistry is perfect on this transformed song. Part of the game is proving you know who you want to be after this show, and the singer turns this song into her own. The color in her voice showcases her ability and knowledge of what a modern female pop star is today while the power and strength in her voice knows no bounds.
It’s time for Jan Dan to show his stuff. Jan Dan was previously saved in the Knockouts. Will he need saving again? Before he steps foot in the room for his coaching, Gwen Stefani tells Machine Gun Kelly that Jan Dan is known for picking interesting song choices. The Playoffs are no different. The soul singer takes on “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas. Moving into the classic rock genre does allow Jan Dan to bring out other flavors within his vocals. Thankfully, the ballad suits him vocally well — his vocal gymnastics are captivating and easy. Unfortunately, his stage presence doesn’t match. The star quality is just missing.
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Gwen Stefani Continues To Make Baffling Choices in Season 26
Receiving one of those coveted spots is Sydney Sterlace. She’s 15, the same age as MGK’s daughter. Sterlace tells MGK and Gwen that she wants to be a singer-songwriter and that she is a Swiftie. For her performance, she takes on Taylor Swift‘s “betty.” Going into her “Folklore” era, the singer hopes to bring out her storytelling rather than her vocal prowess. Gwen Stefani reminds her that she needs her to listen to the lyrics as her take is too happy. In her performance, Sterlace, seated next to a guitar player, unfortunately feels closer to a girl at her school’s talent show than on one of the biggest stages in the world.
Only two can represent Team Gwen in the Live shows. In a game called The Voice, the winners of the Team Gwen Playoffs should be Jose Luis and Gabrielle Zabosky. But I’m not Gwen. She knows this is going to be a difficult decision, and even breaks down in tears. But in the end, Gwen crowns Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace as the winners of the Playoffs. The veteran coach has made some wild decisions this season, and this one was certainly B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC in the U.S. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
Two singers are moving to ‘The Voice’ live shows, but Machine Gun Kelly wins the first night of Playoffs.
- Machine Gun Kelly gives off future coach vibes.
- Team Gwen is filled with strong talent.
- Gwen Stefani lets two brilliant voices walk away.
Four famous musicians search for the best voices in America and will mentor these singers to become artists. America will decide which singer will be worthy of the grand prize.
- Release Date
- April 26, 2011
- Seasons
- 25
- Studio
- NBC
Watch on Peacock
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