When it was first announced that coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton would be joined by Gwen Stefani on Season 17 of
The Voice (Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2), we weren’t sure how the dynamic between real-life couple Stefani and Shelton would work. It works by the two fighting over the same singers in the most compliment-filled arguments we’ve ever seen. On paper it sounds cheesy and annoying, but on TV it works. These two are just that charming.Shelton and Stefani went head-to-head several times on Tuesday night, with the four coaches close to filling up their teams, which means that if a singer is worthy of a button push, you can bet the coaches aren’t letting them go without a fight. In the case of Stefani and Shelton, they kiss and make up immediately afterwards.
All four coaches were fighting for single-mom Khalea Lynee who performed "Best Part" by H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar (yay Canada!) for her Blind Audition. Khalea’s performance felt effortless and smooth, unlike the coach’s pleas. Gwen made a beeline for the stage, Blake named one Anita Baker album (love that Track 3) and John Legend sang for his singer. Point to Team Legend.
Out and proud church-turned-secular singer Ricky Braddy gave a theatrical performance of Brandi Carlile’s "The Story," a song that initially made us very nervous (those high notes) but turned out to be one of the best performances of the Blind Auditions. Ricky got a turn from Gwen, John and Blake, with John connecting to Ricky’s church past, Gwen playing the ‘I only have one spot left’ card, and Blake going with the geography angle. (Did we even need to type that? Of course he did.) Ricky chose Blake. (Of course he did.) We need to stop hating on Blake’s pitching style, because obviously it’s working.
We haven’t had a last second chair turn all season, but Kelly finally gave us a nail-biter of a finish that was so close to the buzzer that Blake had already begun apologizing to
Damali without realizing that Kelly had snagged the young singer. As for Gwen, she’s currently suffering from FOMOOS–Fear of Missing Out On Singers–and is already planning on stealing Damali.
The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on CTV2.[video_embed id='-1']Gwen Stefani never expected 'Hollaback Girl' to turn into a hit[/video_embed]
