‘The Voice’: Avery Wilson Debuts “If I Have To”
It was a big night of returning contestants on the Tuesday night result show of The Voice. Some contestants you may remember (and some you probably don’t) came on to tell coaches Christina Aguilera, Pharrell, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine – not to mention the rest of America – I’m still here.
But seriously: one of them actually sang a song entitled “I’m Still Here,” just in case the message wasn’t clear enough.
Season 5 finalist Jacquie Lee starts off the show with her new single “Tears Fall,” which was written by Sia. Team Christina’s former golden girl makes her coach proud with some big notes, and also proves that the ’90s choker trend really is back in mainstream fashion. The clever singer – now homeschooled – also reveals the special nickname she has for tour buddy Shawn Mendes. “I call him Shmendes,” she says, sparking hopes that someday she’ll write her own songs.
Cee Lo’s Season 3 contestant Avery Wilson gets a pretty generous introduction from Clive Davis before performing “If I Have To.”
“Once or twice a decade, someone comes around with a voice that takes your breath away,” says the producer and Columbia Records president. “If America believes in Avery Wilson the way that I do, we can make a little bit of history tonight.”
Hopefully America believes in Avery more than Cee Lo did, as the former coach didn’t advance Avery past the Knockout Round. He sounds great, though, and Clive Davis calling you the voice of a generation can’t hurt your career.
Cee Lo’s Season 1 finalist, Vicci Martinez, sings “Bad News Breaker.” She looks and sounds cooler than ever, and solidifies her post-Voice coolness by ending the energetic performance on a clear drum set. “Thank you for promoting my art,” she says.
Team Blake’s Season 7 champ, Craig Wayne Boyd, sings “I’m Still Here,” as if to remind everyone that he’s still going after that music goal. Indeed, the country singer toured with Rascal Flatts after the successful debut of his Voice single “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face,” and has maintained his Gwen Stefani makeover. Stay away from excessive fringe, and you might just have a career for yourself!
As for the contestants looking to keep their Voice careers going…VOTED THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS
Team Blake: Meghan Linsey
Team Pharrell: Sawyer Fredericks, Koryn Hawthorne
Team Adam: Joshua Davis
…Christina is none too happy about this.
Team Christina’s India Carney and Kimberly Nichole go head to head for the last spot in the semi-finals.
In her second week in a row in the bottom, India Carney sings Pink’s “Perfect.” It’s good, but not the same show0stopper she pulled out in last week’s save performance.
“I have just gained so much respect and love from you throughout the competition,” says Christina. “From where I’ve seen you start to even now, you’ve grown so much as an artist.”
Kimberly Nichole takes no prisoners with her “Seven Nation Army” performance. She shows nothing but confidence in her rocking rendition of the White Stripes song, and – if nothing else – will go down swinging.
“You’ve electrified every single audience, you’ve brought them to your feet,” says Christina. The coach then urges the audience to get out their and “vote for my girls.” It’s not even worth getting into the mathematics of a vote for one of her team members being a vote against the other. Go team.
Saved: India Carney
Going Home: Kimberly Nichole
Really? The exciting performer Kimberly Nichole leaves the show and Joshua Davis lives on to play another acoustic guitar-driven jam? If you say so, America, if you say so.
Is anyone else thrown off by the results? Or do the semi-finals contestants align with what’s right in the universe?
