The Voice Season 27 Finale Part 1 Live Blog Watchalong: I’m Rating Each Performance And Giving My Pick For Who Should Win
It all comes down to tonight!
Thanks For Watching With Me!
It was a pleasure to have you all along on this ride for the past couple of hours. I will be back tomorrow night to give my take on a night of exciting guest performances and the crowning of The Voice Season 27 winner.
Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson are among those set to take the stage, so I will assuredly be completely out of my mind. Tune in at 8 p.m. ET May 20 for an hourlong recap before the two-hour finale begins at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.
So, Who Should Win The Voice Season 27?
The performances are over, and it's all in America's hands now! So after hearing the 10 offerings from this season's finalists, who would I personally give my singular vote to? For me, it's John Legend's team member RENZO.
I feel like RENZO hasn't missed a step all season. From Aerosmith's "Dream On" to Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever," he showed such range, and the emotion behind the words was always there. The finale just proved all that.
We don't have to wait long to see what happens! Voting is open until 7 a.m. ET, and fans can submit one vote per email address on The Voice website or the show's official app.
Jaelen Johnston Gets His Redemption
Talk about redemption! Jaelen Johnston proved why he was the last country artist standing by taking on Chris Stapleton's "Cold" for his ballad. That's no easy feat, and I believed every word he sang. Who hurt this man?
Kelsea Ballerini also said she didn't realize how good he was until she heard him sing that. Nice way to close out the show! (Could have used some fire, though. When in doubt, add fire.)
MY RATING: 4 out of 5 cold ex-girlfriends
RENZO Had Me Crying Before He Even Sang
Y'all, I don't normally get too emotional over the dedications and tributes to the contestants' families, but seeing that tear run down RENZO's daughter's face when she said she wanted to be on The Voice just like him just about did me in!
As for the performance, his version of "Lover, You Should've Come Over" was what I was waiting for from tonight's ballads. It was passionate, it was guttural, there were impressive runs. John Legend called it "stunning," and I agree.
MY RATING: 4.5 out of 5 lovers coming over
Jadyn Cree Is Stuck In The '80s
I have a feeling Bryan Olesen has something to do with Jadyn Cree's love for '80s music. After previously singing "99 Red Balloons" and "I Think We're Alone Now," she chose "Come On Eileen" for her up-tempo song. It was cute and energetic, but for me, it wasn't a finale-clincher.
MY RATING: 3 out 5 '80s hits
Adam David Takes Us To Heaven And Hell
Another up-tempo number that I would have let pass as a ballad, Adam David finished his duties for night with a super soulful rendition of "Hard Fought Hallelujah." Carson Daly said it looked like Heaven and Hell, with a choir providing backing vocals in front of fiery pyrotechnics.
For my money (and to be clear, I'm neither getting nor giving any money here), if you want to win The Voice, you gotta bring the fire.
MY RATING: 4 out of 5 heavenly fireballs
I'm Haunted By Lucia Flores-Wiseman's 'Wildflower'
Sometimes it's hard for me to determine between the up-tempo songs and the ballads, and while I'm not sure in other circumstances I'd call Billie Eilish's "Wildflower" up-tempo, I have no issues with what Lucia Flores-Wiseman just did.
Her song was haunting, with a sick voice crackle. I get Amy Winehouse vibes from her, but she's totally unique.
MY RATING: 4.5 out of 5 goosebumps all up my arms
Adam David Told Me I'm Beautiful
I have been loving the bluesy numbers from Adam David this season, and he continued to show his range by singing "You Are So Beautiful." It's a slow and repetitive song, but he kept me from zoning out by hitting some nice high notes.
John Legend loved the broken notes in the artist's voice, and Michael Bublé implored fans to vote for this blue-collar dude.
3.5 out of 5 broken John Legends
Jaelen Johnston Forgets The Words!
OH NOOOOO!! Kelsea Ballerini's Jaelen Johnston blanked on the lyrics toward the beginning of Dierks Bentley's "What Was I Thinking?" Thankfully, he recovered and turned in a performance that got better as it went along.
Gosh I feel terrible for him, but his coach was right about his recovery being the most impressive part.
MY RATING: 3 out of 5 panicked facial expressions
Don't Sing About Losing, Jadyn!
I love Jadyn Cree's story, making it to the finals just two seasons after her dad Bryan Olesen placed third. The 23-year-old invoked Selena Gomez with "Lose You to Love Me" and brought her coach Michael Bublé to tears.
Jadyn's voice has always sounded a bit meek for me for a singing competition. I think she could be a very successful artist outside of the show, it's all a bit too sweet and timid for me here.
MY RATING: 2.5 out of 5 Selenas
Lucia Flores-Wiseman Wishes You Were Here
Team Adam's Lucia Flores-Wiseman kicks off the ballads for the evening with a raspy cover of "Wish You Were Here." It was quite emotional, and while the Seattle singer might not do all the runs that are customary for singing competitions, I love that she's made it this far by staying true to her style.
MY RATING: 4 out of 5 Pink Floyds
RENZO Sets The Tone With 'Fly Away'
John Legend's team member may have said he wanted to get away, as he rocked out to the Lenny Kravitz classic "Fly Away," but the crowd would prefer he stay. A great start to the night!
His coach agreed, saying it was "flawless from beginning to end."
MY RATING: 4 out of 5 Rock Guitars
John Legend Is Dressed For Success
The judges seem to have coordinated their outfits for tonight's finale, and they're all looking nice in grays and blacks. The embellishments on John Legend's jacket, though, keep the theme from being too funeral-y. Very dapper!
The Voice Finale Live Blog Starts Here!
Welcome to The Voice Finale Part 1 live blog/watchalong! While eliminating seven contestants from the Semifinals was more than a little jarring, I’ve had the week to recover, and I’m really excited to see the five remaining artists go head-to-head. It’s such an eclectic group! We’ve got:
Team Michael Bublé
- Jadyn Cree
- Adam David (last week’s Instant Save)
Team Adam Levine
- Lucia Flores-Wiseman
Team John Legend
- RENZO
Team Kelsea Ballerini
- Jaelen Johnston
Whew! Are we ready for this?
