“The Voice” is two weeks away from crowning its champion.
Eight contestants moved one step closer to hoisting the coveted trophy after the semifinalists were revealed during Tuesday’s results show, following emotional performances Monday.
John Legend, the reigning champ and V-EGOT winner, won his first season as a coach last year with Maelyn Jarmon. And he’s in the best position to go two for two after his team survived yet another week unscathed. He has three singers in the Top 8.
Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson have two singers each on their teams, while returning coach Gwen Stefani has all her eggs in one basket, er, singer.
Here’s what happened:
Last night on ‘The Voice’: Gwen Stefani’s singer stuns on Blake Shelton’s ‘God’s Country’ in front of him
Viewers’ saves
The first two artists saved by overnight votes were Team Gwen’s Rose Short and Team John’s Will Breman, who injured his knee during his performance last night after landing awkwardly on a big jump.
“I’m glad that break was in reference from my performance and not my kneecap,” Breman joked.
Team Blake’s Ricky Duran, Team John’s Katie Kadan, Team Kelly’s Jake Hoot, Team Blake’s Kat Hammock and Team Kelly’s duo Hello Sunday also moved on to the semifinals.
Instant Save
The three artists with the fewest viewer votes went head-to-head for the last spot in the Top 8 via the instant save: Team Gwen’s Joana Martinez, Team John’s Marybeth Byrd and Team Kelly’s Shane Q, who won the instant save last week.
Shane Q took on Charles Fox’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
“Just like last week, I’m surprised to see you here again. The competition keeps getting tighter and tighter,” Shelton said, while Clarkson added, “This is such a talented season, but you are a four-chair-turn.”
Martinez performed Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Her former coach, Shelton, said the teen will always be “Team Blake,” while Stefani said her powerful vocals are years beyond her age.
“She turned 16 last week, by the way,” Stefani said. “America has watched you grow before our eyes.”
Marybeth Byrd opted for Calum Scott’s “You Are the Reason.” Legend said she’s “consistently the best singer on this show” and asked America to vote for her.
With no more coaches’ saves in play, it was up to America to decide who advanced. The winner would be decided by a five-minute flash round of voting.
In the end, Byrd advanced.
Eliminations
Martinez and Shane Q were eliminated after failing to clinch the save.
Clarkson offered some words of wisdom: “Everyone goes home at one point. But the point of this show is you don’t have to win … just ask Jennifer Hudson.”
Team count
Clarkson: 2
Shelton: 2
Legend: 3
Stefani: 1
The Top 8 will perform live during Monday’s semifinals on NBC at 8 EST/PST. “The Voice” champion will be crowned Dec. 17.
