NBC/Tyler GoldenThe Voice kicked off its semilfinals on Monday, with the top eight artists competing for America’s votes, and a spot in next week’s finale. Along the way, they were advised by their coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson.
Each artist performed twice: a new song on his or her own, and a duet with another contestant.
Here are the highlights of Monday night’s show:
Sarah Grace, 16, representing Team Kelly, chose Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” for her solo performance, accompanying herself on the piano. She and Clarkson, were helped out by last season’s winner from Team Kelly, Brynn Cartelli, who inspired Sarah Grace to try out for the competition. After her performance, Kelly praised the teen for the “subtleties in her voice, as well as her ability to hit the “big notes.”
The first duet of the night featured Team Adam’s Reagan Strange and Team Jennifer’s Kennedy Holmes, performing a mashup of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Janelle Monáe’s “Tightrope.”
Team Jennifer’s MaKenzie Thomas tackled Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love” for her solo performance, which brought all four coaches to their feet. Blake called it “one of the best performances” he’d seen. Jennifer hailed Thomas as “a coach’s dream” and “a student’s dream,” because Hudson learned from her as well.
Country singers Kirk Jay, from Team Blake and Chevel Shepherd, from Kelly’s team paired up for a blend of Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country” and “Country Must be Country Wide,” by Brantley Gilbert.
Gospel singer Kymberli Joye, representing Team Kelly, put her spin on “Never Alone,” by Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin. During rehearsals, Clarkson called Joye “a preacher,” while Cartelli said the Windsor, Connecticut native had what it takes to make it to the finals. Kelly called Kymberli’s live performance “insane.”
Team Blake’s southern rock artist Chris Kroeze delivered a rendition of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See.” During rehearsals, Shelton, addressing the camera said Chris “brings the party to the room.” Afterwards, Blake thanked Kroeze for giving the beer-drinking, back road-driving viewers of this show somebody to root for.”
Joye and Thomas returned for a mashup of Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to be Real” and “Best of My Love,” by The Emotions.
Holmes — who just celebrated her 14th birthday — returned for a solo performance of “This Is Me,” from The Greatest Showman. Jennifer Hudson chose the song for Kennedy because it was a great “transition” song for the teen was “coming into her own.” The performance made Hudson “proud.”
Strange, Team Adam’s 14-year-old pop singer, returned to the stage, singing “You Are the Reason, by Calum Scott. Reagan found herself at the center of controversy last week after winning an “Instant Save” over her teammate DeAndre Nico, despite being unable to perform. Additionally, Levine seemed to urge America to vote for Strange over Nico. There were no hard feeling, as DeAndre, told Strange during a video chat to ignore the criticism and “stay positive.”
Next, Kroeze — on guitar — and Sarah Grace — playing the organ — joined each other for a combination of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” by The Rolling Stones.
Shepherd returned with a cover of LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue.” Clarkson, noting the 16-year-old had “zero amount of diva in her,” urged her to “be a diva for a minute” and show the audience how beautiful her voice is. Her performance earned a standing ovation from all four coaches.
Jay closed out the evening with John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear,” chosen by his coach Blake Shelton because it showcased the country artist’s “pop flair.” In addition to his coach, Jennifer and Adam each fought for a chance to praise the performance in the final minutes of the show.
The show also included Hudson singing the Perry Como classic “Round and Round” in honor of Christmas
The Voice returns Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
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