It wasn’t just an axe that was swinging in Tuesday’s Semifinals Results Show on The Voice, it was the big ol’ kind of axe — one that was going to chop the Top 12 all the way down to the Top 5.
If we went by the poll that followed TVLine’s recap of Monday’s episode, Super Save artists Olivia Kuper Harris (Team John Legend), Jaelen Johnston (Team Kelsea Ballerini) and Conor James (Team Adam Levine) all looked like they had a shot of being voted through to the finale. And Team Michael Bublé’s Kaiya Hamilton? Er, a long shot. Last I looked, she was dead last in the poll.
And in the moment(s) of truth…
SAVED BY VIEWERS’ VOTES
Renzo (Team Legend)
Lucia Flores-Wiseman (Team Adam)
Jadyn Cree (Team Bublé) — wait, really?
Jaelen Johnston (Team Kelsea)
ELIMINATED
Kolby Cordell (Team Adam)
Kaiya Hamilton (Team Bublé)
Conor James (Team Adam)
Alanna Lynise (Team Kelsea)
WILDCARD INSTANT SAVE
Olivia Kuper Harris (Team Legend), “Rainbow” — Grade: B- | On Kacey Musgraves’ ballad, Olivia sounded more breathy than breathtaking. Wish she had done “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” instead. As much as I love her, I didn’t think that this would get people racing to cast their votes for her. Zzz. Even her coach sounded more like he was saying goodbye afterward than trying to rally support for her.
Adam David (Team Bublé), “Lose Control” — Grade: A | This. This is the kinda performance that’s needed when you’re singing for the Instant Save. Adam was effortlessly cool and soulful, and when he let loose and, ahem, lost control on Teddy Swims’ hit, what a showcase he created for himself. Helluva showing for a contestant who had not too long ago been a one-chair turn.
Iris Herrera (Team Kelsea), “Rocket Man” — Grade: B | How Iris was still here after her poor performance Monday, I couldn’t fathom. Nevertheless, she fared better on Elton John’s oldie, showing off that wicked break in her voice and reminding us why we’d (or at least I’d) ever liked her in the first place. No competition for Adam, I reckoned, but I was glad she’d get to go out on a higher note.
Bryson Battle (Team Legend), “Talking to the Moon” — Grade: A- | Solid song choice for Bryson; he deftly executed Bruno Mars’ heart-tugger. Sure, Bryson got a bit yelly in there, but he still made an excellent case for why he should advance instead of Adam. “I didn’t think you would be in this position,” Bryson’s coach said after he was done. Me, neither, especially not with Jadyn (?!?) making it through!
SAVED | Adam David (Team Bublé)
ELIMINATED | Olivia Kuper Harris (Team Legend), Iris Herrera (Team Kelsea) and Bryson Battle (Team Legend)
