‘The Voice’: Shalyah Fearing Rises To The Top With Amazing Rendition Of “A Broken Wing”
Monday night’s episode of The Voice came with good news and bad news. The good news: the recurring national nightmare that is Adam Levine’s blond hair is over like the Battle Round — as in, it will likely resurface in six to seven months. The bad news: It’s been replaced by the pink ‘do that fellow coach Blake Shelton compares to both My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake. The pink is oddly better than the bleached look, at least, and if paparazzi shots are any indication, he should be back to his natural shade in a couple of weeks for the live shows. Praise be to hair dye.
While we’re giving Voice-related praise, let’s also praise last week’s Season 11 coaching leak announcement that gets Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus into those red chairs! While Christina Aguilera’s delightfully sharp tongue and Pharrell Williams’ ability to Jedi-mind lure contestants to his team will be missed, there will finally be a gender balance in the coaching panel. That, and if her advisory role this season is any indication, Miley should actually be a pretty decent coach.
There’s a whole lot of Season 10 left before the Season 11 countdown starts, though, and on Monday night that was the premiere of the Knockout Round. Some made it through, some were stolen, at least one left the stage in tears. Here’s how all of that shook out.
Team Blake: Angie Keilhauer vs. Paxton Ingram
The Knockout Round gives song selection to the contestants, which is a huge factor in Blake’s first pairing of the night. While pop artist Paxton Ingram demonstrates his full range singing a straightforward rendition of Adele’s “Hometown Glory,” indie rocker Angie Keilhauer does herself a disservice trying to turn Sam Hunt’s talk-heavy “Take Your Time” into a melody. Despite helpful advice from Miley on how to keep from mumbling her way through it, Angie can’t overcome the song choice.
“You have such a great confidence that you exude on stage and it’s always fun to watch you,” Christina tells Angie. “You chose to show this rich low tone to your voice that was really juicy,” she tells Paxton.
“The song didn’t measure up to your potential. It didn’t allow you to just show your talent,” Pharrell tells Angie. To Paxton, he says, “Those low notes the kind of control you had down there was great.”
“Your up for any challenge, and you never choose anything easy for yourself,” Blake tells Angie. “Lyrically, there’s something about [the song] that means something to you. Everybody in this room could see it and could feel it,” he tells Paxton.
In a decisive win, Blake picks Paxton.
Team Adam: Owen Danoff vs. Ryan Quinn
At first, it seems as though reserved vocalist Owen Danoff will pale in comparison to the energetic Ryan Quinn and his powerful pipes. Owen, however, unleashes a sweet vulnerability singing Billy Joel’s “She’s Always A Woman,” whereas Ryan gets pitchy with Train’s “Drops Of Jupiter.” It’s the most adult contemporary showdown of the night.
“Rhythm wise, it felt like you couldn’t find your way a little bit, but you’re so precise,” Christina tells Ryan. “I think you did own it. You hit that beautiful note,” she tells Owen.
“Ryan, you did those two — I call them Star Search notes,” says Pharrell, who then adds, “I did detect that you were not as plugged into this song as other songs you’ve done before.”
“I find it strange that there’s a little bit of a disconnect between you and the lyrics,” Adam tells Ryan. To Owen, he says, “I can hear when you’re questioning yourself on stage.”
After lukewarm praise, Adam decides to advance Owen. Christina thinks that Ryan has more to offer than his Knockout Round performance, and steals him to fortify her strong team.
“I’ve been a fan of yours since the Blinds, and I get my moment now with you!” she says.
Team Pharrell: Hannah Huston vs. Malik Heard
Pharrell puts rocker-slash-preschool-teacher Hannah Huston against his Battle Round steal from Team Christina, Malik Heard, for his first Knockout. Hannah sings “House Of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, because that’s never been done on the show before. She puts her own spin on it, which — as with all Voice contestants before her and all that will follow — means more growling. Despite being deja Voice, it’s a vocally impressive performance. Malik’s sweet performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” is – well – lovely, and flawlessly switches from his strong chest voice to his sweet falsetto
“That was bonkers. You absolutely brought the house down,” Adam tells Hannah.
“Standing ovation for this girl right now,” Blake says to Hannah. “It was so entertaining to watch you perform, and I know you sang your heart out there,” he tells Malik.
“I think that your performance could not have gone any better,” Pharrell tells Hannah. To Malik, he says, “You let your voice take the wheel.”
Pharrell gives the win to Hannah. The “House of the Rising Sun” rises again.
Team Blake: Katie Basden vs. Lacy Mandigo
There’s only room on Blake’s team for one Battle Round steal, so he lets his two newest acquisitions, Katie Basden from Team Adam and Lacy Mandigo from Team Christina, fight to the death elimination. Lacy sings “Zombie” by The Cranberries, explaining tearfully that she’s connected to the song because her grandfather served in World War II. Right. Her pronunciation of some lyrics is…unique? And she often falls out of the pocket. Katie sings Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy,” which is a breakout moment for her.
“I thought that was a great song choice. You hit a lot of strong notes. Consistent,” Christina tells Katie.
“Your song had so many sweet spots that highlighted different parts of your ability, and if I had to give this knockout to someone I would probably give it to Katie,” Pharrell says. “There’s something really interesting about you, and you have all the tools in the shed” he tells Lacy.
“It was flawless. It was beautiful,” Blake says to Katie. “Lacy’s this phenomenon on the show that everybody says the same thing: Lacy has this thing about her,” Blake says, (sort of kind of) explaining Lacy’s appeal.
Phenomenon or not, Blake passes on Lacy and advances Katie. Both Pharrell and Adam jump in for the steal.
“If you’re willing to work, there are just a couple of things that I would have you work on and just shine a light on a couple of tools in the shed,” says Pharrell.
“I believe that when making a decision, just think about the fact that my wonderful brother right here that I love so much did say that he would rather have the other person on his team than you,” says Adam.
Adam, when are you going to learn that Pharrell’s hard to get strategy trumps your compliments? Lacy joins Team Pharrell.
Team Christina: Alisan Porter vs. Daniel Passino
Curly Sue is back! Christina’s golden child, Alisan Porter, goes up against pop singer Daniel Passino in a battle to stay on the winning team Team Christina. Alisan sings a stripped down version of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and her quiet vulnerability wins the coaches over. Daniel sings “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” by The Temptations, and tries to overcome his flat moments with dance moves and falsettos. The two performances couldn’t be more different.
“In my opinion, you slayed it” Pharrell tells Daniel. To Alisan, he says, “Your performance was masterful. You’re a seasoned, seasoned artist.”
“I continue to be more and more impressed by you every single time,” Adam tells Daniel. “I do believe you’re something special and we’re going to see a lot more of you,” he tells Alisan.
“You’re just a gift to our show. Every time you come out here there’s a different element that you bring to the table,” Christina tells Alisan. “You are a dedicated, talented man,” she tells Daniel.
Christina picks Alisan, and Daniel is too upset to even bid his coach farewell through the tears.
Team Pharrell: Emily Keener vs. Shalyah Fearing
Pharrell’s teenage powerhouses close out the night as 17-year-old Emily Keener and 15-year-old Shalyah Fearing go head to head. Emily sings Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi,” which, though vocally strong, almost has a goofy delivery with a lot of emotional facial expressions. Shalyah, on the other hand, slays it with a powerful, soulful version of Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing.” It is her best performance to-date, and sets her in front of the pack.
“When we all four turn for somebody, the pressure on in a way. You have to stay there and above it,” Adam tells Emily. “The revelation to me today was Shalyah. Woah. That was crazy.”
“There is something so different about you and a little bit vintage and a little bit new,” Blake says to Emily. “You know I love that song that you just sang. It’s such a powerful song and you did an incredible job,” he tells Shalyah.
“I really thought this was the finale show and you just won The Voice,” Christina tells Shalyah, her former contestant.
“I love the way you end the song with the high and then the super low,” Pharrell tells Emily. To Shalyah, he says, “You were swinging for the parking lot. The fence wasn’t enough for you. You wanted to knock someone’s window out.”
In the worst decision of the night, Pharrell picks Emily. Adam happily jumps in for the steal. “I was shocked that she was available. She gave the performance of the night.”
Six more contestants fight for their right to compete live tonight.
