I have to steel myself: several of my favorites from Team Blake and Team Pharrell did not advance toward the finals. I also underestimated Zach Seabaugh, and I’m still trying to process how viewers embraced some of these young performers for reasons beyond straight vocal prowess. After years of covering singing competitions, it’s humbling to admit that audience taste can surprise me.
The Voice 9 – Live Playoffs Part 2 Recap (VIDEOS)
Emily Ann Roberts soared on the charts with her rendition of “In the Garden,” and that outcome wasn’t unexpected. Gospel-tinged performances often resonate deeply with The Voice audience, and coaches tend to save those songs for moments when they can make the biggest impact. Even when pitch wavers appear, nostalgia and sincere delivery can carry a performance—exactly what happened with Emily’s heartfelt, earnest approach.
On the other hand, I’m surprised that Barrett Baber didn’t place higher with his emotional take on “I Drive Your Truck.” That performance had strong storytelling and emotional weight, and I expected it to chart more prominently. Instead, a novelty-leaning presentation from Zach Seabaugh outpaced it. I urged viewers to favor substance over gimmick and felt disappointed when Zach’s act advanced; novelty often carries short-term momentum that may not translate to long-term success if the artist later returns to a more conventional country style.
It was gratifying to see Madi Davis land high on the charts—she delivered the kind of performance that deserved to advance. Conversely, Riley Biederer barely registered, which felt like a missed opportunity. Riley has a contemporary pop sound that can be vulnerable in this format: modern pop contestants sometimes exit earlier than their talent warrants because the audience voting tends to favor distinct hooks or emotional narratives. If I had to root for one teenage male vocalist, I’d pick the soulful Evan McKeel; he brings warmth and control that could attract committed voters.
If Madi and Evan earn America’s votes, expect Coach Pharrell to weigh his remaining options carefully—names like Celeste, Darius, or Mark might be considered, and I’d be comfortable seeing Darius or Mark advance. It’s frustrating to see some strong performers not chart as highly as they deserve, while other less polished acts catch fire online. That’s the unpredictable nature of live voting and streaming charts.
Celeste Betton performed “Something in the Water,” and what struck me was that Celeste is not Carrie Underwood—she doesn’t channel the same vocal swagger or intensity. Her version lacked the raw passion that Carrie brings, though the song’s spiritual theme still connected with listeners. Meanwhile, Morgan Frazier suffered from a questionable song choice, and Nadjah Nicole didn’t get the backing she needed to make a disco cover land; sometimes a coach’s guidance—or lack of it—can affect how an artist is presented and received.
Ultimately, these live playoff episodes underscore how much voting, song selection, and performance narrative influence which contestants move forward. Talent matters, but so do song choices, coaching, and the stories that viewers latch onto. I’ll be watching closely to see which contestants build momentum beyond these initial chart spikes and who can convert attention into sustained support.
Take the Polls
(Poll widgets removed for this edition.)
Favorite Performance
Favorite Team
Grade the Episode
iTunes Charts as of 12 am ET
16. Emily Ann Roberts – Team Blake – In the Garden
31. Zach Seabaugh – Team Blake – Brand New Girlfriend
32. Madi Davis – Team Pharrell – Songbird
35. Barrett Baber – Team Blake – I Drive Your Truck
58. Celeste Betton – Team Pharrell – Something in the Water
64. Evan McKeel – Team Pharrell – Overjoyed
107. Ivonne Acero – Team Blake – One of Us
111. Morgan Frazier – Team Blake – Lips of an Angel
138. Darius Scott – Team Pharrell – Love Lockdown
152. Mark Hood – Team Pharrell – What Do You Mean
168. Riley Biederer – Team Blake – Should’ve Been Us
Outside the Top 200 – Nadjah Nicole – Team Blake – Upside Down