The Battle Round lived up to its name on Monday night’s episode of
The Voice (Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2) with a hard-fought end to the three-episode event. The final Saves and Steals of the round were used to keep some of the season’s most talented singers in the game, but with so many incredible performers this season there were still several painful goodbyes on this week’s episode.Coaches Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson are continuing to stack their teams heading into Tuesday’s first night of the Knock Outs and at this point it’s still anyone’s game.
CAMI CLUNE V. JAMES PYLE – Team Legend
In this week’s installment of "John Legend, What Are You Doing?," John paired four-chair turn artist Cami Clune with James Pyle, who would have been a four-chair turn if John hadn’t been the only coach with a spot left on his team. The pair turned up the melancholy on Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games,” adding even more yearning and longing. Gwen said she liked that Cami’s voice is stylized and feels like she has something to say as an artist. Kelly said that this pairing was her favourite Battle of the season and Blake praised the pair on their inventive cover, which James and Cami arranged together using Boy & Bear’s interpretation of the song. John said that he was proud of the way the teammates worked together, including their harmonies and their interaction with each other on stage. Thankfully, one of the best performances of the season ended with a bit of chair shuffling but no goodbyes.
Winner: CamiSteal: James to Team Blake
LARRIAH JACKSON V. CARTER RUBIN – Team Gwen
Larriah and Carter are two of the youngest competitors this season, so it makes sense to pair the 15 and 14-year-old with each other and an age-appropriate song. As if being a teenager and performing in front of millions on national TV wasn’t intimidating enough, Coach Gwen challenged the two with Meghan Trainor and John Legend’s “Like I’m Going to Lose You.” Aw mom! Larriah and Carter appear to be artists who work well under pressure because the pair nailed their performance, putting their own spin on many of the song's runs and harmonies and earning a standing ovation from the four coaches. Even EGOT-winner John Legend was a fan of the cover, saying “Usually I’m judgy with songs that I have recorded but I was thoroughly impressed with your take on the song. You found new places to go musically with the song.” Blake and John both picked one-chair-turn Larriah, while Kelly risked a $25,000 fine in favour of not making a teenager cry on TV. Gwen picked Carter as the winner of the Battle, citing his unique sound. Thankfully, she used her only Save for Larriah, who was way too good to be going home this week.
Winner: CarterSaved: Larriah
RYAN GALLAGHER V. MARISA CORVO – Team Kelly
Kelly had the utmost faith in team members Ryan Gallagher and Marisa Corvo and we know that because she gave them a song by Céline GODDESS Dion. As if the stakes weren’t already high enough, opera singer Ryan revealed in rehearsals that both his mother and grandmother were in the hospital with COVID. You are the worst, 2020. Marisa was worried she wouldn’t be able to live up to the legendary CD, but she gave one of the greatest performances of the season so far and did the Canadian icon proud. Ryan had the difficult task of matching a soaring female ballad to his male voice and managed to make the song his own, exhibiting an incredible level of control and range. “You guys are almost opposite in the way you attack the song,” said Gwen, who praised Ryan for his seemingly effortless delivery while also complimenting Marisa on how she attacked the performance. Calling this the hardest battle she’s ever had all her time on
The Voice, Kelly thankfully had her Save left for Ryan and picked Marisa as the winner. No one who nails a Queen Céline ballad should have to go home.
Winner: MarisaSaved: Ryan
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CASME V. RIO SOUMA – Team Legend
There aren’t many artists who can bring the combination of power and joy needed to perform Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "You're All I Need to Get By,” but Team Legend’s Casme and Rio Souma hit every note and dance move. Kelly called Casme a natural born performer and all the coaches complimented Rio on his ability to rise to the occasion of meeting Casme’s infectious energy. The pair were so in sync that they were almost lacking in solo stand-out moments, but that doesn’t take away from the pure bliss of watching each artist on stage.
Winner: Casme
Watch new episodes of
The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2.[video_embed id='2049925']BEFORE YOU GO: 'Horse girl' from Alberta can gallop and jump just like a horse [/video_embed]