Are you enjoying Taylor Swift as the Season 17 advisor on “The Voice”? Unlike some other mentors over the years, she can provide advice to the contestants on both song improvements and stage performance. She has returned to the NBC reality program assisting six-time coaching champ Blake Shelton, two-time winner Kelly Clarkson, reigning coaching winner John Legend and returning coach Gwen Stefani during the current knockout round.
If you’ve missed any blind auditions, battles or knockout episodes or want to read our Gold Derby analysis, visit the links below to catch up on our coverage:
Night 1 blinds on September 23
Night 2 blinds on September 24
Night 3 blinds on September 30
Night 7 blinds / Night 1 battles on October 14
Night 5 battles / Night 1 knockouts on October 28
Night 2 knockouts on October 29
And now make your comments below and keep refreshing for our full live updating blog recap for knockouts Night 3 on Monday, November 4:
8:10 p.m. — Night 3 of the knockouts continue tonight and we’re kicking things off with Destiny Rayne vs. Rose Short on Team Gwen. They’re Gwen’s two powerhouse singers and she’s hoping one steps into the forefront to fill that lane for her team. Destiny was stolen by Gwen after losing a battle to Katie Kadan on Team Legend. Tonight she’s singing “Tell Me You Love Me” by Demi Lovato because it represents the style of music she hopes to do. Taylor advises her to start the song more gently and work into the more powerful notes later. As for Rose, she’s taking on “Big White Room” by Jessie J because it reminds of when she thought a music career would never happen for her. Taylor had to pick her jaw up off the floor after listening to Rose rehearse. Her only comment was for Rose to keep her eyes open when Rose sings so people feel the emotion.
8:20 p.m. — Rose is up first with her performance of “Big White Room” and her rich tone immediately fills the room even before she rips into the chorus. And boy does she rip into the chorus. We’ve never heard Rose like this before and midway through the performance Kelly and John are already on their feet. That was a breakout performance! Now Destiny has to follow that with “Tell Me Love Me,” which is a lighter pop song but Destiny is still injecting all the power she can into it. She’s more of natural performer than Rose, but I’d say Rose has the more natural charisma on stage. Both of these women can blow, but I’ll be shocked if Rose goes down tonight. All of the coaches think Rose won the knockout, including Gwen! Destiny has been eliminated from the competition.
8:25 p.m. — We continue on with Team Kelly’s Kiara Brown vs. Shane Q. Kelly stole Kiara from Team Gwen after the 22-year old lost her battle round to Royce Lovett. Tonight she’ll be singing “The Bones” by Maren Morris because she was mentored by the country superstar earlier this year. Taylor advised Kiara to stick to the melody throughout the first verse because that’s what people are familiar with at home. Then be more adventurous and give more of her own take on the second verse. Shane will be singing the country hit “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young and Kelly is excited that Shane isn’t categorizing himself as a vocalist. Shane admits that despite being 29-years old, he’s never been in love because of his shy personality. Taylor tells him to sing with a little more desperation so the lyrics ring a bit more true.
8:35 p.m. — Shane is up first with his take on “In Case You Didn’t Know.” Shane’s got a great voice and hits the notes perfectly. My only critique of Shane is that he seems a little uncomfortable on stage and that just speaks to his inexperience in a live setting and his insecurity. I think he could only get better as the competition progresses. Kiara is next with her take on “The Bones” and she looks like a star. Where Shane seemed to struggle with stage presence, Kiara has it in spades but her voice is less impressive. I’d take Shane in this knockout, but Kelly’s choice will depend on what type of artist she wants to work with. The coaches seem to slightly favor Shane as well and Kelly agrees. Shane has won the knockout and Kiara has been eliminated from the competition.
8:45 p.m. — Team Blake is up next in the knockout ring with Kat Hammock vs. Lauren Hall. Kat is singing “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer because it’s her mom’s favorite song. Taylor is struck by the fact that Kat doesn’t remind her of anyone in the industry, which is a gift. Her only critique is to take her time as she moves around the stage so people focus on the lyrics. Lauren was stolen from Team Kelly after she lost her battle round to Hello Sunday. In an interesting twist, Lauren will perform her ex-coach’s song, “Breakaway.” Taylor didn’t have much critique for Lauren, but loves how her voice breaks when she sings — Taylor calls that a “dolphin squeak.”
8:55 p.m. — Kat’s up first with “Kiss Me” and she’s beginning her performance seated at the keyboard. Her voice is so pure and pitch perfect, it’s instantly recognizable. Within 20 seconds of her performance I immediately thought, “this girl could win.” She’s 18, likable and her voice isn’t powerful but it’s absolute fire. John can’t stop smiling as he watches her. Now Lauren has to sing Kelly’s song right in front of her and it’s time to sink or swim! Lauren has a really nice voice, but I think this was a terrible song choice. She just doesn’t have the vulnerability to pull off the soft parts and she’s missing the big ones. Lauren’s nerves seem to be getting the best of her. This is a slam dunk for Kat and Lauren has been eliminated from the competition.
9:05 p.m. — We’re halfway though tonight’s episode and we finally get a glimpse of Team Legend with Will Breman vs. Zoe Upkins. John paired them together because they both sing within the soulful pop genre. Will is singing “I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber because he can being awkward in social situations. Taylor thinks Will is adorable and she loves his odd movements, but she wants him to make things a little simpler vocally throughout the song. Zoe is taking a chance by singing her coach’s song, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” which he recorded with Meghan Trainor. She can relate to the lyrics of cherishing people you love since her Godmother recently passed away. Taylor is so impressed with Zoe’s intuition and only had slight notes about the arrangement.
9:25 p.m. — Zoe is up first with her take on “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” and she’s got incredible stage presence for a 16-year old. I like that she is letting her tone and voice be the focus without overdoing the runs. She shows off some power towards the end of the performance and overall I’d say that was pretty solid! Will is up next with his rendition of “I Don’t Care” and I’m immediately impressed with his charisma. This guy has major star quality and knows how to work the stage. It all makes the crazy notes he’s hitting seem effortless. John can’t deny that Will absolutely must stay in this competition and he’s won this knockout. Kelly is out of steals and is devastated she can’t take Zoe, but Zoe’s been eliminated fro the competition.
9:30 p.m. — We continue on with Team Gwen’s second knockout of the night: Royce Lovett vs. Jake HaldenVang. The reggae man against the rocker! Jake will be singing “Powerful” by Major Lazer featuring Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley. He stripped down the song to show off his artistry and Taylor gives him a lesson in making eye contact with the audience. Royce is going to perform “Wake Me Up” by Avicii & Aloe Black. Taylor thinks Royce has incredible star quality but gives him some pointers on how to move on stage.
9:40 p.m. — Jake is first to perform his rendition of “Powerful” and Gwen is looking for his star power to emerge. Jake has a throwback rock voice we just don’t hear on the radio anymore and that makes him a standout. I love how he attacks notes when he sings his range is impressive. We need a rocker on this season. Royce is next with his take on “Wake Me Up.” Royce has a nice rasp to his voice and brings so much energy to his performance. Vocally this is the best I’ve heard him. Halfway through the performance he loses the guitar and starts working the stage. At this point his vocals start to fade, but his star power remains. Gwen’s got a tough decision. Jake is clearly the better singer, but Royce can be fun to watch. After giving it careful thought, Gwen chooses Jake as the winner of this knockout. Royce has been eliminated from the competition.
9:50 p.m. — Tonight’s final knockout will be Team Kelly’s Hello Sunday vs. Alex Guthrie. Alex is singing “I’m Not the Only One” by Sam Smith. Alex relates the lyrics because he’s been in relationships where trust has been broken and he can pour his emotion into it. Taylor is incredibly impressed with Alex and wants him to simplify a couple notes to make the runs stand out more. Hello Sunday is singing “Almost is Never Enough” by Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes. Their rehearsal brought Taylor to tears and these 14-year old girls have Alex terrified. Both of these acts are fantastic and Kelly is upset but is hoping whoever she doesn’t choose is stolen.
9:59 p.m. — Alex is up first with “I’m Not the Only One.” He keeps things low key by starting things off sitting on a stool and this guy’s got an incredible tone. I actually like his version of this song better than the original. The edge in his voice, tone and power are a great combination. Alex hit this out of the ballpark. Now Hello Sunday takes the stage and these two couldn’t be more adorable. What’s more incredible is how poised they are at such a young age and their voices are simply incredible. They’ve really improved their harmonizing since the blinds and they’re tearing the house down. Wow! I don’t know how Kelly can deny Hello Sunday this win, but she’s losing a huge contender in Alex if she lets him go. Kelly struggles to make a decision but ultimately chooses Hello Sunday. Alex is stolen by John! All of them will continue on in this competition. That’s a wrap for tonight!
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