‘The Voice’: Gwen Stefani & Her Team Sing Blondie’s “The Tide Is High,” Ella Henderson Performs “Ghost”

Caila Ball-Dionne | November 19, 2014 5:57 am

“It’s too intense! It’s too much!” exclaims coach Gwen Stefani of the Live Elimination on The Voice. Though she’s talking about the suspense that surrounds possibly losing one of her contestants, the same could be said of the not just one, but two major announcements regarding the ever-evolving show format!

To start with, Carson Daly lets it be known that the contestants eliminated between now and the final four will compete to rejoin the (actual) final three in a new “wildcard” slot. This bring-back – the first in Voice history – feels very X Factor, but it’s not The Voice without mid-season rule changes…

…or mid-season mentors! Pharrell Williams announces at the top of the show that the legendary Diana Ross will be appearing on The Voice next week to further mentor his team. Colbie Caillat, Meghan Trainor and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump will mentor Teams Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine, so…Pharrell wins on that front.

As those announcements settle, take in some sparkly performances!

Gwen, wearing sparkly black short-shorts, black and white high-heeled boots and a matching argyle shirt performs Blondie’s “The Tide Is High” with remaining team members Anita Antoinette, Ryan Sill and Taylor John Williams. Gwen definitely – and understandably – is the star of the show, but she gives her backup singers the opportunity to solo on a line or two in there.

Rising star Ella Henderson follows in a floor-length evening gown, and performs “Ghost.” The 18-year-old UK import is making the reality rounds: this performance follows an October appearance on Dancing With The Stars.

Blake Shelton and his team perform Elton John’s “Sad Songs Say So Much,” and Blake lets Craig Wayne Boyd, Jessie Pitts and Reagan James take the spotlight. Craig wins out for best vocal performance here, especially even over his coach.

Enough fun and games: back to the intensity! It’s time for the results and the return of the #InstantSave.

Saved by popular vote are:

Team Gwen: Anita Antoinette, Taylor John Williams

Team Pharrell: DaNica Shirey, Luke Wade

Team Adam: Matt McAndrews, Damien, Chris Jamison

Team Blake: Reagan James, Craig Wayne Boyd

The bottom three, then, are all coach saves from last week: Team Blake’s Jessie Pitts, Team Pharrell’s Sugar Joans and Team Gwen’s Ryan Sill. They each sing for their save votes, starting with Jessie Pitts.

Jessie sings Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity,” and her emotional performance is both pitchy and out of breath. “She brings an element that nobody else on this show has,” says Blake, though never actually specifies what this element is.

Sugar Joans goes celebratory with her save appeal, and sings Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Pharrell promises her that they’ll work in the studio together regardless, so she only has so much to lose here.

Ryan Sill sings Extreme’s “More Than Words.” It’s considerably better than his Duran Duran performance on Monday, and – at the very least – earns Gwen’s vote.

“You have such an amazing spirit and just an incredible vibe,” says Gwen.

With that, the second round of results from the #InstantSave:

Instantly Saved: Ryan Sill

Going Home: Jessie Pitts, Sugar Joans

Adam and Gwen, therefore, go into next week’s Top 10 leading with three contestants. Can Diana save the day for Pharrell?