‘The Voice’: Sawyer Fredericks And DNCE Perform, Daniel Passino Gets The Axe
The Voice’s Top 10 became the Top 9 last night, and the show spiced up the third single elimination week in a row up with guest performances by DNCE and former Voice champ Sawyer Fredericks. It was certainly better than Carson Daly asking Pharrell Williams, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton countless generic questions, and distracted from any sadness over the eliminated contestant.
Except by the eliminated contestant. The eliminated contestant was definitely very sad.
But enough about that for now! There was a Jonas in the house! Kicking off the show, DNCE performed a medley of “Toothbrush” and “Cake By The Ocean.” It was amazing that Joe Jonas and company were even able to perform after their devastating loss to Justin Bieber in the “Best Song to Lip Sync To” category at the Radio Disney Awards on Sunday, but they persevered.
Season 8 champ Sawyer Fredericks performed his new single, “Four Pockets” from upcoming album A Good Storm. The 17 year old had the same bowler hat, same long hair and same powerful voice that earned him the W not so long ago.
Moving along from former champs to current hopefuls, it’s time for the results! The audience voted the following contestants through to the Top 9:
Team Adam: Shalyah Fearing, Laith Al-Saadi
After losing Owen Danoff last week, Adam was fortunate that his two remaining contestants gave strong performances this week. No surprises here.
Team Pharrell: Hannah Huston
Danger! Danger! Team Pharrell only has one member left in the safety zone. As predicted, Daniel Passino landed in the bottom 2 after Monday night’s wretched performance.
Team Christina: Alisan Porter, Bryan Bautista
It’s not that Nick Hagelin’s performance was bad, it’s just that he was surrounded by too much good. Welcome to the rest of the competition.
Team Blake: Mary Sarah, Paxton Ingram, Adam Wakefield
Again, Blake quietly sails through with three safe contestants. Not that his team should win The Voice, but the look on Christina’s face would be priceless if it did…
Instant Save:
Team Pharrell’s Daniel Passino found himself fighting for an Instant Save for the second week in a row, this time against Team Christina’s Nick Hagelin. Nick was up first, and sang Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” It was a safe choice, which wasn’t necessarily the worst idea for the high pressure Instant Saves. He executed it well, but the coaches mostly gushed about his general likeability.
“I think that you’re a talented dude,” said Adam. “You’re in this for the right reasons, and for that reason combined with your talent and the progress that you’ve made, I think that you’re the one that should move forward.”
“Everybody falls in love with you,” said Christina. “You have come so far in the course of this competition. I’ve seen you grow so much.”
Daniel did not make a safe choice, and instead sang Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” It was shaky and pitchy, and there were plenty of vocal cracks to betray his nerves. He gave it his all in terms of dance moves and energy, but non-existent praise from his coach was the kiss of death.
“Of course I want you to move forward,” said Pharrell, adding, “But for me, I feel content in what you’ve achieved.” Hear that, Daniel? Pharrell is content even if you get eliminated! That’s got to be a consolation at least, right?
It’s no shock when the audience saves Nick Hagelin and sends Daniel Passino home. Daniel and his dance moves will be missed, but this one was a long time coming — being that two weeks is a long time in Voice world.
The excitement continues next week! Though there’s only a single elimination (again), Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are scheduled to premiere their duet, “Go Ahead And Break My Heart,” off Blake’s upcoming If I’m Honest album. Get ready to analyze stage chemistry and project what it must mean about their relationship!
