They say that time heals all wounds, but is that true for reality TV fans? Last season a huge controversy erupted on “The Voice” when Adam Levine threw his artist DeAndre Nico under the bus on live television. As you may recall, after DeAndre and Reagan Strange both placed in the bottom three, their Maroon 5 coach basically instructed viewers at home not to vote for DeAndre but instead to vote for Reagan, who was too sick to perform her Instant Save song. Adam’s plan worked, with Reagan making it into the Top 8 and DeAndre being eliminated. Have you forgiven Adam for what he did to DeAndre? Vote in our poll below.
It seemed as though all of America instantly turned on Adam, with Kelly Clarkson even swooping in to try to save him. “You know what, guys? I have been these contestants before,” Kelly explained later in the show. “I know Adam and his heart and I know he loves his team. He feels really bad for Reagan. But I just want to say, DeAndre, you sang the hell out of that song!”
As the studio audience erupted in wild applause, Kelly continued, “I know it’s so horrible that Reagan is not able to present herself, and I know that’s where [Adam] is coming from, so please know that. He’s bummed for her. Everybody did a fantastic job tonight. A really great job.” Moments later the live Instant Save results came in revealing that DeAndre and Blake Shelton‘s artist Dave Fenley had both been eliminated from the competition.
While “The Voice” didn’t mention the controversy again, DeAndre was invited back to perform on the season finale. He joined up with Kymberli Joye of Team Kelly and MaKenzie Thomas and Patrique Fortson of Team Jennifer Hudson for a rousing rendition of Kirk Franklin‘s gospel song “Declaration (This Is It!)” in front of the live studio audience. The ultimate winner of Season 15 turned out to be Team Kelly’s Chevel Shepherd.
“I just felt like he sold me out,” DeAndre said in an interview. “And I just don’t respect it, just being honest.” Millions of “Voice” fans agreed with DeAndre, with a whopping 56% of people who voted in our poll saying that Adam should resign from the show. That didn’t happen, of course, as Adam is now a coach on Season 16 along with Blake, Kelly and John Legend. Read our recap of the season premiere.
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