The Voice 23 POLLS: Vote for who WILL and SHOULD win. Who was robbed?
The Voice returned with its first live episode on Monday night (May 15), and the broadcast moved quickly from performances to results. After the Top 8 artists took the stage, the show opened a very brief, five-minute voting window. When host Carson Daly revealed the results, the Top 5 consisted of Team Blake Shelton‘s Grace West and NOIVAS; Team Kelly Clarkson‘s D. Smooth; Team Niall Horan‘s Gina Miles; and Team Chance the Rapper‘s sister trio, Sorelle. Read our Recap for a detailed breakdown of the performances and moments from the live show.
Among the biggest surprises was the elimination of fan favorite Ryley Tate Wilson from Team Niall. Many viewers reacted to the result as if vote splitting had an outsized effect. The format used on that night—allowing fans only a single vote, cast during a five-minute window at the end of the show—resembles an instant-save mechanism, but its use to reduce the field from eight to five creates challenges. When two artists share similar fan demographics or musical styles, forcing fans to choose only one can dilute support and cost deserving contestants a spot in the next round.
Social engagement from the prior week suggested Ryley and Gina Miles were among the most-streamed and liked performers, with D. Smooth trailing them in online figures. Gina, in particular, had amassed significant streaming numbers for her cover of “Wicked Games.” Both Gina and Ryley are young pop-oriented singers who likely appeal to the same audience; when viewers are limited to a single vote, their shared fan base may have split, allowing others to advance. If the show had allowed the more traditional system—where fans can cast a certain number of votes across multiple artists—Ryley and Gina might both have moved forward.
First time on a live stage, not one artist performed their personal best
Another factor that worked against contestants was that this high-stakes semi-final doubled as many artists’ first time performing live on a televised stage. That pressure showed: several performances felt tentative rather than definitive, and few contestants delivered what could be called a personal best. A telling backstage moment came when Niall patiently explained in-ear monitor use to a puzzled Ryley—something many professionals take for granted. That kind of first-time technical learning curve is risky when competition votes are decided immediately after performances.
Viewers have wondered why the season felt truncated compared with past runs. Whether due to budgetary adjustments, scheduling constraints to accommodate coaches’ calendars, or stylistic choices in production, the shorter format and rapid voting cadence left little room for artists to find their footing. Casting remained strong, as it often does for the show, but the structure of this particular season’s live rounds disappointed some fans and performers alike.
Sister trio Sorelle occupied their own musical lane, which likely helped them avoid direct vote splitting and secure advancement. Team Blake now enters the finale with two artists still competing, but having multiple finalists on the same team doesn’t guarantee a coach’s victory—viewer engagement, performance choices, and song selection in the finale will matter most. Gina Miles, despite the tight field, still has a viable path to win if she can harness momentum and deliver a standout finale performance.
Next week’s finale promises to be decisive. With coaches, viewers, and artists all reacting to the abrupt semi-final mechanics, the climax of The Voice 23 will reveal whether the abbreviated format produced a worthy champion or whether fans will feel a different artist was robbed of a fair shot.
TIME TO VOTE: Fans should prepare now for the finale voting window and consider how the season’s voting rules can shape outcomes. Results and updated predictions will be posted later in the week after rehearsal details and song choices are announced.
The Voice 23 Top 5 Reveal Polls – Who Will Win?
Who WILL WIN The Voice 23?
Cast your opinion: who do you think will win The Voice 23? The five finalists are Grace West (Team Blake), NOIVAS (Team Blake), D. Smooth (Team Kelly), Gina Miles (Team Niall), and Sorelle (Team Chance). Consider each artist’s trajectory through the season, fan engagement, and likely voting behavior when choosing your pick.
Who SHOULD WIN The Voice 23?
Who should win, based on talent, artistry, and consistency? Share your view: does the most technically skilled singer deserve the trophy, or should the prize go to the artist who delivered the most memorable emotional moments? Think about studio potential, uniqueness, and long-term artistry when answering.
Favorite Top 8 Performance
Which Top 8 performance stood out for you? Options to consider include Ryley Tate Wilson’s set, Gina Miles’ “Wicked Games” cover, NOIVAS’ performance, Grace West’s song choice, D. Smooth’s stage moment, and Sorelle’s group presentation. Pick the performance that moved you most or showed the clearest artistic growth.
Who Was Robbed?
Who do you feel was robbed by last night’s voting mechanics? Many fans pointed to Ryley Tate Wilson as an unexpected early exit; others might nominate different contestants who seemed to be on an upward trajectory. Consider which elimination felt most unfair and why—voting format, song choice, or production timing may all have played a role.