‘The Voice’: Alisan Porter Stuns With Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold”

Caila Ball-Dionne | April 19, 2016 9:13 am

Carson Daly, it is your time to shine, buddy. Not only is it that time of The Voice where the host slash executive producer has the unenviable role of cutting off coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams mid-praise to keep the live show on schedule (an acrophobic window washer that specializes in sky scrapers has a less terrifying job), but he also gets to make special announcements. Last night, he informed viewers that the Top 4 would all perform original songs during the finale this season. It was a big night for Carson.

It was a less big night for the Top 12 contestants, who somewhat anti-climactically competed for 11 spots. From the cut-in-half bloodbath that was last week, this was a walk in the park (leading up to tonight’s walk of shame for one contestant). The coaches are out of saves, steals or any other way to keep their favorites other than good old-fashioned Twitter lobbying, so the safety net is gone.

Here’s a look at how 12 contestants did their best to not be voted the actual worst.

Team Blake: Mary Sarah

After a shaky performance during the Top 24, Mary Sarah really needs to turn it around in the Top 12. Blake’s save (and last remaining country artist) sings Carrie Underwood’s “So Small,” and while it’s better than last week, it’s still not living up to her earlier performances.

“That was a beautiful song,” says Christina. “Every time you get up there and sing I know it’s going to be a solid performance.” It’s worth noting that this is the second week in a row that Christina has given Mary Sarah the lackluster “solid” compliment.

“I completely got wrapped up in the lyrics of that song,” says Blake. “You delivered the message to me tonight, and I totally related to the lyrics of that song.”

Team Blake: Adam Wakefield

Either Christina Aguilera’s stilettos are getting to her, or she is throwing some subtle shade at Adam Wakefield. His dynamic performance of Allman Brothers Band’s “Soulshine” is classic rock perfection, yet she’s the only coach who denies him a standing ovation. Could she see him as a threat on her route to the trophy? (Or, again — shoes?)

“We’re just taking people to church on television and setting them free,” says Pharrell. “You sang with such precision and vocal intention.”

“You’re going to be around for a long, long time,” says Blake. “You’re a star.”

Team Blake: Paxton Ingram

Paxton Ingram kicked it up to high levels last week, and strips it back down for tonight’s performance. Blake’s save performs Selena Gomez’s “Hands To Myself,” and it’s fine, but the song has a limited range and doesn’t show anything new or impressive about his voice.

“You not only like singing a song, but you like lifting people when you do it,” says Pharrell.

“You’re going to be around,” says Blake, already planning religious songs for future weeks. “Let’s dig in.”

Team Pharrell: Daniel Passino

Daniel Passino made a triumphant return as Pharrell’s comeback artist who got voted through last week, and his confidence certainly reflects that. He sings Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” with a cockiness that is typically reserved for second-generation fame (think if Justin Bieber and Christina Aguilera had a baby), but it kind of works for him. His energetic crowd work distracts from a performance that is vocally mediocre, and the crowd ignores pitch issues thanks to dance moves.

“It’s so amazing what confidence does for a person,” says Adam. “Really smooth and having fun and smiling a lot. I’m really impressed.”

“This is all due to you,” says Pharrell. “Look what you willed yourself to do.”

Team Pharrell: Emily Keener

Pharrell’s indie rock steal, Emily Keener, really hit her stride. The talented teen sings Jeff Buckley’s “Lilac Wine,” a song that really showcases her unique tone. Her rendition of the song takes it out of cover song territory, and adds a level of artistry to it that had previously been missing.

“It was perfect,” says Adam. “That is such a beautiful version of a song that I’ve always wanted to see out there in the world.”

“Amazing. First of all, not only are you a singer-songwriter, but you are a beautiful vocalist,” says Pharrell. “This is a 17-year-old girl. You have to vote!”

Team Pharrell: Hannah Huston

Hannah Huston has found her soul-singing niche, and belts out Etta James’ “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” like a pro. She works every corner of the stage while staying controlled, on pitch and in the pocket. Basically, she crushes it, which is a concept that is apparently totally alien to Adam Levine.

“I think there’s a new genre of music. I think it’s alien soul,” says Adam, adding, “It’s not of this earth.” It seems pretty of this earth, but then again, it’s that point in the season where the coaches are running out of compliments that make sense.

“You’re a natural. You have mountain ranges of notes,” says Pharrell, who urges all of her home state of Nebraska to vote for her (Note: In presidential primary terms, that’s only 25 delegates. Maybe urge New York or California next time). “You are inspiring so many people when they watch your willingness to dream.”

Team Christina: Nick Hagelin

Like Emily Keener, Nick Hagelin pulled off a Voice miracle last week when he, a comeback artist, was voted through to the next round. Lighting may not strike twice for the romantic singer, who apparently writes a poem every night he’s away from his wife (gag). Nick takes Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You,” and gives it a transformation from country adult contemporary to pure adult contemporary. It’s as exciting as it sounds.

“Thanks to you, this weekend when I play in Dallas this weekend, people are going to be like, ‘Do the Nick Hagelin version!’” says Blake, overestimating Nick Hagelin’s reach. “Really cool ideas. Great job.”

“You’re such a pleasure to work with,” says Christina. “You have such a great charisma, and you can’t teach someone how to just exude that.”

Team Christina: Bryan Bautista

Continuing on the unofficial adult contemporary theme of the evening, Christina’s save, Bryan Bautista, sings Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose.” In addition to causing some post-traumatic middle school dance flashbacks, he struggles with some higher notes throughout the song, He makes up for it, though, by completely nailing the run at the end.

“There’s a deal for you on the other side of this show for sure,” says Pharrell.

“When you come out here you just shine. You just present yourself beautifully,” says Christina. “You are a star. You are the definition of what that should be.”

Team Christina: Alisan Porter

It might be a little early to get business cards printed “Alisan Porter: Season 10 Voice Champion,” but it would save the current front runner on rush-shipping for when she does win. Granted, anything could happen, and viewers do love a surprise breakout performance. But if Alisan’s show-stopping performance of Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold” is any indication, she’s got it in the bag. And she crushed it rocking a long sleeved white lace jumpsuit — perhaps even a bigger victory.

“Every year there’s always one person that kind of epitomizes all of the things the show’s about,” says Adam, adding, “I wish you were on my team,”

“I cannot wait for the Alisan album,” says Christina. “You’re a highlight. It’s like waiting for the closer of the show.”

Team Adam: Laith Al-Saadi

Laith Al-Saadi really is a bearded wonder. The man has shared a stage with blues legend B.B. King, and even gets Christina Aguilera on her feet despite having never been his coach. Laith attacks Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” with his powerful growl, and amazes even the deeply musically-uneducated.

“I don’t know good blues artists from bad ones,” Blake proclaims with zero guilt. “That’s gotta be as good as it gets right there.”

“What you represent is very different from what a lot of people represent on the show,” says Adam. “It’s refreshing because you kind of embody a broad spectrum of what music is and what it can be.”

Team Adam: Owen Danoff

Adam Levine tells his Top 20 save Owen Danoff to put his guitar down, get away from the microphone stand and live a little. Owen gives stage presence a try when he sings Lukas Graham’s “7 Years,” resulting in a truly average performance vocally and emotionally.

“I think you’re quite the vocalist. You have a tender tone,” says Pharrell. “That performance packed such a mean punch. I think you showed people a whole other side to you.”

“We watched you completely just bust out of the shell you’ve been living in the past few months,” says Adam, who then mimics the way he walked across the stage, causing Owen to blush a shade of red even deeper than the coaches’ spinning chairs.

“You came alive tonight,” he said, perhaps unaware that he just destroyed any chance that Owen will leave the microphone stand ever again.

Team Adam: Shalyah Fearing

Closing out the night is Team Adam’s young superstar, Shalyah Fearing. She sings Patty Griffin’s “Up To The Mountain.” She doesn’t quite reach the lights out levels she did last week, but she has the crowd roaring when she hits a big note at the end.

“The thing that I love about you is you’re a fearless singer,” says Christina. “I feel your heart when you sing, and that is the most important quality out of everything as a singer.”

“It’s really hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that you’re a 16-year-old girl,” says Adam. “I’m so impressed by the woman that you’re becoming in front of all of us.”

The results are in tonight, with just one unlucky contestant headed out of Voiceland. Who do you think will be taking the walk of reality competition shame?