Blake Shelton’s five remaining contestants take the stage to earn a spot in season 6’s top 12 and the chance to perform on The Voice live shows.
Team Blake contestants Audra McLaughlin, Ryan Whyte Maloney, Madilyn Paige, Jake Worthington, and Sisaundra Lewis had their first solo performances since the blinds for a chance to become one of the top three performers on their team, chosen by their coach to move on to perform for America’s votes in the live shows.
Blake said after almost every performance just how difficult his team was making this choice for him, because they were all doing so well, it broke his heart to have to let any of them go. But at the end of the night, he revealed that the contestants he would be taking to the live rounds would be Sisaundra Lewis, Audra McLaughlin, and (an early favorite for The Voice‘s Miss Congeniality award, if there was such a thing) Jake Worthington.
The Performances
Audra McLaughlin
Philly native, Audra McLaughlin, loves the classic country sound of Martina McBride, so it’s no surprise she chose the superstar’s hit “Broken Wing” for her play-off performance. She loves the song’s message, that you can make it through anything, as it’s one she needed to hear growing up. Audra has continued to improve each week, and this was her most relaxed, unbridled performance yet. Blake said she really swung for the fence with this performance, and really made his choice more difficult.
Ryan Whyte Maloney
Before The Voice, Ryan Whyte Maloney was juggling several jobs, including struggling musician and garbage man, so he’s really hoping for The Voice to be his big break. He chose Shinedown’s “Second Chance” for his top 20 performance, because the song came out at a time when his parents gave him the ultimatum of going into the army, because his music career wasn’t working out. It was a risky song, but all of the coaches were impressed with Ryan’s flawless high notes, which Usher said he had only ever heard from one other artist: Mr. Adam Levine! Adam was so chuffed, he told Blake he wanted a bro-vorce, because he loves Usher more now.
Madilyn Paige
High school junior Madilyn Paige is new to Team Blake after Blake stole her in the last battle of season 6 this week. Madilyn took on “Clarity” by Zedd ft. Foxes, a song that would enable her to showcase her timid, soft side, and also surprise the audience by hitting the big notes. In rehearsals, Blake encouraged her to let go and get into the song, and while she still struggled with that in tonight’s performance, Blake said he was still proud that he used his steal on her, because her voice is so unique.
Jake Worthington
Jake Worthington first auditioned for The Voice in season five, and had no takers. When he came back this season, he turned three chairs, and has been an unstoppable member of Team Blake ever since. He chose Jake Owen’s “Anywhere With You” as a thank you to his supportive girlfriend, who he says is “the only girl who treated me like a skinny guy.” In rehearsals, Coach Blake urged him to be tender, but strong in his performance. His performance was great, and he already sounds like he’s been a professional artist for years. Shakira said he’s a star, while Blake reiterated that Jake is “the real deal.” Jake was very touched by Blake’s appreciation of his genuineness.
Sisaundra Lewis
Before The Voice, powerhouse performer Sisaundra Lewis sang back-up for Celine Dion on five major tours, in addition to being a stay-at-home mom. She chose Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” because it reminds her of living in New York with her children, and all the sacrifices she’s had to make to be onstage. Her performance was unsurprisingly incredible, nearly rendering all the coaches speechless. They were all blown away not only by her voice and technical skill, but also by her emotional delivery, and ability to get lost in a song. She is so talented, Blake says he has even had to change the way he coaches.
The play-offs will continue next Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC, where we will see Team Adam, Team Shakira, and Team Usher perform, and find out who will be moving on to the live shows as part of the top 12.