The Voice: The Top 12 Take the Stage

As The Voice's Top 12 have now been chosen by America (with some help from the coaches) all of them will square off again tonight. From this point forward, only America’s votes count and the coaches save will be eliminated. In another twist, we will not be eliminating one contestant per team anymore. From now on, the contestant(s) going home can be from any team, and the final four standing do not necessarily have to represent all four teams. I LOVE this. A coach who builds the strongest team shouldn’t have to lose a contestant each week just because all of the other teams lose one as well. If the final four are from the same team, then that coach must be doing something right. Let’s see how the Top 12 tonight!

 

Contestant: Michaela Paige

Team: Blake

Song: “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” by Pink

Yessssss. The thought of Michaela covering a Pink song makes me so happy. But wait… where is Michaela’s hair? Why is it flat this evening? WHO MADE THIS DECISION?!?! Ugh. Luckily, Michaela sounds awesome and she nails the song. The sudden hair change though makes her much less recognizable though for the people who have been following her on the show. Hopefully her performance garners votes on its own.  

Coaches Say: Xtina’s shirt was attacked by Freddy Krueger….and in the process, she stole his hat. Xtina always enjoys watching Michaela sing, saying Michaela’s voice is bright and bold. Cee-Lo says Michaela is one of his favorites on the show, and she moves on stage like a professional. Adam calls her performance wonderful and elegant. Blake’s heart is pounding because Michaela’s performance was so good.

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Contestant: Dez Duron

Team: Xtina

Song: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Lauryn Hill

 

During rehearsals, Xtina encourages Dez to “work the ladies.” I’m sure he hadn’t thought of that – good strategy session. Dez makes this song a little more jazzy than I am used to, but I do like the arrangement. He does indeed pay a great deal of attention to the ladies, and his vocal is much better this week than last week. I’m sure he will sail right on through to the next round.

 

Coaches Say: Cee-Lo thinks the performance was impeccable, and Dez has a natural sexual appeal. Mmmm hmmm. Adam says Dez found an avenue through this performance and he should settle into this style. Blake loves the song choice and gives a girls squeal. Xtina might be blushing when she says she has gotten to know Dez “on a personal level.” She says he has a true star quality about him.

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Contestant: Adriana Louis

Team: Xtina

Song: “Good Girl” by Carrie Underwood

 

I was not a huge fan of Xtina’s choice to save Adriana last week, and I cringe a little when they say she will take on a Carrie song. However, this performance is worlds better than the “Firework” mess she performed last week. A lot of the “look at me, I’m sexy” moves seem very forced, but overall I think this is a good performance. Still not convinced Xtina made the right “save” with her though.

 

Coaches Say: Cee-Lo tells Adriana she looks beautiful and keeps improving each week. Adam thinks singing a Carrie Underwood song is a tough choice, but she did a good job. Blake is a big fan of Adriana and is happy she sang a country song. Xtina notes that the songs Adriana chooses are very difficult to sing live and hopes America votes for her.

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Contestant: Cody Belew

Team: Cee-Lo
Song: “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner

If I had to guess 100 songs Cody could possibly want to sing this week, “Simply the Best” wouldn’t have been in my top 200 guesses. I applaud his guts though – not because he is singing Tina, but because he is wearing a sequined suit with no socks. Fearless. I love Cody’s voice in this song. He reminds me here of a young George Michael, which is interesting because I did NOT get that vibe from him last week when he was actually singing George Michael. Good for him though. This is a great performance.  

Coaches Say: Adam says Cody is one of the most natural performers left in the competition. Blake agrees, saying Cody owns the stage. Xtina would like to see some more up tempo songs from Cody. Cee-Lo enjoys Cody as a friend and comrade in the competition, and he appreciates how fabulous and free Cody is (i.e. sequined suit and no socks).

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Contestant: Amanda Brown

Team: Adam
Song: “Spectrum” by Florence and the Machine

I’m not sure about these notes. At all. Maybe she should have just eliminated the words “color” and “illuminates.” Those are the two big problems here. I think it’s hard to have a week like she did last week where her performance of “Dream On” was pretty much called flawless by the coaches. There was really nowhere for her to go but down this week, and boy did she.

Coaches Say: Blake says there are many sounds to Amanda’s voice, and he liked the performance. Xtina thinks Amanda is a talented singer, but she is still trying to connect with who Amanda is an artist. Cee-Lo says the performance was constricted and slightly flawed. Adam tells Amanda the performance wasn’t perfect but she epitomizes everything the show is about.

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Contestant: Bryan Keith

Team: Adam
Song: “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse

I love this song and have my fingers crossed for Bryan. He does have a very old school Rat Pack feel about him, and I really enjoy this performance. Judge me if you like…the Glee cover will always be my favorite (miss you, Santana)… but Bryan should absolutely stay in this competition.

Coaches Say: Blake thinks Bryan just took the lead for Team Adam. Xtina agrees, saying Bryan is a “modern-day raspy Sinatra.” Cee-Lo tells Bryan he did a great job. Adam says Bryan just had a breakout moment.

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Contestant: Cassadee Pope

Team: Blake
Song: “Behind These Hazel Eyes” by Kelly Clarkson

First of all, this is my favorite KC music video ever. EVER. Just needed to get that out there. Second, I want to hate this performance. I do. But I can’t.  She plays the guitar, hits about 95% of the notes, works the crowd, and just delivers. Damn it – she has my vote.

Coaches Say: Xtina says this is her favorite performance of Cassadee’s so far. Agreed. Cee-Lo likes hot chicks with guitars. Adam loved seeing the soulfulness of the performance. Blake says the reason this song works is because Cassadee has no limits and no boundaries.  

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Contestant:  Trevin Hunte

Team: Cee-Lo
Song: “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge

Good Lord, this guy can sing! Best. Song. Of. The. Night. Hands down. Take that, Joshua Ledet.

Coaches Say: Standing ovation from everyone and rightfully so. Adam tells Trevin he has a gift from God. Blake says Trevin didn’t leave anything but blood and guts on the stage. Ha! Xtina thanks him for the performance and wishes she was his coach. Cee-Lo believes that Trevin is an angel of some sort, and I get a little teary. Good for Trevin.

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Contestant: Melanie Martinez

Team: Adam
Song: “Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant

I’m not too familiar with this song, but Melanie says she is inspired by Cruella De Vil, so I am going to keep an open mind. I definitely prefer this song to last week’s “Hit the Road, Jack.” I appreciate that she is unique and all, but I think there are several “different” contestants left in the competition who are much stronger performers and vocalists.

Coaches Say: Blake says he has never heard her project so much, and he loves her sound. Xtina thinks this was Melanie’s most emotional performance and conveyed a message. Adam tells Melanie she is special because she has something that is all her own.

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Contestant: Nicholas David

Team: Cee-Lo
Song: “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis

Cee-Lo is looking for more star power from Nicholas, so clearly the staircase flanked by a horns is the way to go? I’m not sure about his lower register in this performance, but I thoroughly enjoy the rest of it. Is he a superstar? Nope, but I really like the suit.

Coaches Say: Adam tells Nicholas he is strange and beautiful. Blake says that he was trying to catch up with the song, but he can’t wait to see what Nicholas does next. Cee-Lo calls him courageous and brave, and he is art imitating life.

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Contestant: Sylvia Yacoub

Team: Xtina
Song: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

Yes, I groaned when I heard the song choice. Couldn’t help it. Watching Sylvia, who was one of my favorites last week, she does try to make the song more soulful…or “Beyonce-ish” as Xtina had encouraged. She sounds great, and I’m good with the performance, but last week was definitely better for Sylvia.

Coaches Say: Cee-Lo thinks it was great, and Adam says she did a good job even though it was an ambitious choice. Xtina is proud of Sylvia and showed a beautiful, rich tone to her voice.

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Contestant: Terry McDermott

Team: Blake
Song: “More Than a Feeling” by Boston

I love Terry more and more with each performance. There is no reason he shouldn’t make it all the way to the finals, if not win the wholllllle thing. Yes, Trevin’s performance is still the best of the night for me, but Terry is a freaking rock star.

 

Coaches Say: Cee-Lo says the performance was “damn good.” Adam can’t even talk because he is so impressed. Blake congratulates Terry because he is special and stays true to who he is.

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So tomorrow we will lose two contestants as the Top 12 becomes the Top 10. We’ll see if the coaches’ saves – Michaela, Adriana, Cody and Melanie find themselves safe during the results show or if America’s votes eliminate two of last week’s favorites instead. Til then!