‘The Voice’: Gwen Stefani Speaks Out After Making ‘Difficult’ Selections for Live Shows
Gwen Stefani had a big decision on her hands on Tuesday’s (November 19) episode of The Voice, which marked the start of the Playoffs.
Team Gwen’s top five acts — Jose Luis, Jake Tankersley, Gabrielle Zabosky, Jan Dan, and Sydney Sterlace — took to the stage to sing their hearts out. However, Stefani could only pick two of them to advance to the live shows.
Luis was up first, performing a stunning rendition of Mary J. Blige‘s “No More Drama.’ The young singer commanded the stage like never before, delivering a thrilling performance that put him in contention for one of Stefani’s two picks.
Next up was Tankersley, who performed a pitch-perfect rendition of Cody Johnson‘s “The Painter.” While his vocals were on point, he lacked the stage presence of Luis. Afterward, he admitted to being emotional as he was thinking of his wife.
Zabosky stepped up next for a raucous performance of Roxette’s “Listen to Your Heart,” showing off her vocal range and rock star presence.
After Zabosky, Jan Dan took to the stage to sing Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind,” bringing Stefani to tears with an emotional performance.
Finally, Sydney Sterlace continued to show off her potential with a heartfelt rendition of Taylor Swift‘s “Betty.” The performance earned high praise from the coaches, with Michael Bublé calling her a “superstar.”
As all five contestants were called back to the stage, Stefani was left with making the difficult decision of who to send home and who to bring with her to the live shows.
“I feel proud, and I feel honored that each one of you guys let me hang out with you and help you,” the “Hollerback Girl” singer said. “This is really, really difficult. One thing that saves me all the time is that we’re all going home, and this is just a moment in your life.”
“Whatever you do with this moment is going to be the next part of your life. That does give me comfort,” she continued. “I’m going by who I think I can coach and help grow into that identity that they already are showing me that they have.”
After telling the five acts she was “so proud” to be their coach, Stefani first picked Jan Dan to move on to the live shows. For her second pick, she went with “the one that really moves me and who I think I can coach,” and that was Sterlace.
In an interview afterward, Stefani explained her choices, saying of Jan Dan, “He’s just, he’s too unique. He has so much taste and he has such a perspective that I just wanted to give him the opportunity to share that with America in the lives.”
As for Sterlace, Stefani added, “I had to go with Sydney. It was just a gut feeling. She moves me. She gets on that stage and I want to see more… I just can’t let her go home. These playoffs are just so emotional.”
Did Stefani make the right choices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Voice, Season 26, Mondays, 8 p.m. ET/PT, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET/PT, NBC (streaming next day on Peacock)
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I've watched The Voice from the beginning and have never commented before. I am so upset that Gwen did not pick Jose Luis. He was obviously the best singer of the five contestants on her team....and picking the little girl, Sydney Sterlace, was ridiculous. Sorry, Gwen, you made the wrong choice.
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I was incredibly shocked and upset that Gwen let Jose Luis go home. What in the world was she thinking?! He had all 4 judges on their feet and obviously outshined the other 4 contestants. I hope that someone from the show at least gives him some help and guidance as to where to go next to further his career. I'll miss him on the show.
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No Gwen did not make the right decision. Jose should never have gone home. He could have won the Voice. Big mistake!
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I agree that Gwen made a mistake. The 2 she chose were good. Jose Luis was better.
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Gwen should’ve picked Jose Luis. He had the best performance of the night
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It's called the VOICE. Not the COACH. She chose potential over artists who are ready now. An absolute shame, and she clearly doesn't understand the point of the show. Please don't ever bring her back. There's a reason she never has the winning artist.
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I have been watching the voice from the beginning!! I thought Gwen had this one in the bag with Jose Luis and then she let him go !! Huge mistake!! He is amazing!
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omg, I’m so disheartened by Gwen’s decision!!! Horrible Coach! I had stopped watching The Voice for reasons like this! Aren’t we looking for the best?! Not who’s “teachable!” It should have been Jose Luis and Jake!!! This is so messed up! Seems like she rid of them when the steals were taken away!
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It would be great if Gwen and Blake disappeared from the spotlight.
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I am devastated that Gwen did not select Jose Luis. About Jan Dan she said, "“He’s just, he’s too unique. He has so much taste and he has such a perspective that I just wanted to give him the opportunity to share that with America in the lives.” Well the same things applies even more so about Jose Luis! He should be given the chance to represent his uniqueness to America. I hope you are sharing these with Gwen. She should apologize to all loyal fans of the Voice. It was just an unbelievable and poor choice to pick Sydney over Jose Luis!!
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NO!!! She definitely blew it. I tjink she would have won this year if she had kept Jose Luis..Him and Sydney were the best. The ones she picked are good singers but that is it. The guy has no presence and neither does the girl. They don't move me at all. Horrible choice. I do like Gwen not as others have expressed but here she definitely lost her mind
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Wait, who is Gwen? Oh ya the dumb blonde who "hogged up" Jay L from other coaches only to kick him off show. She is very bias to lgbtq+ you can see it and hear it. No doubt!
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I don’t know if I can keep watching this show. How ridiculous that Gwen let Jose go after such a performance. Very disappointing
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Out of those performances, I liked Jan Dan the least. I don't like Gwen choices. I would have picked Jose Lois and Gabrielle. Gwen got it wrong!
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This is why she doesn't win. Unique doesn't typically win, she empathizes with unique and young because that was her. It is why she does not win. She had several winners on her team n blew it. Next coach please....
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Jose Luis was the one she should have picked he was the better singer. She made a mistake.
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Jose Luis is just an amazing singer. He is the total package. I was shocked and left speachless.
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NO!!!!!!
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I think she shouldn’t have picked Jose instead of Jan Dan!
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Jan Dan was amazing, but I would have gone with Jose as well. Jose and Jan Dan would have been my picks.
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She has won. But your music knowledge far surpassed hers, clearly. Now go polish your Grammy....oh....wait
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But, she did.
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Thanks Jose's burner.
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I am just catching up and Jose Luis was my favorite from the beginning. He just got better and better. He was my favorite to win. His last performance was PERFECT.
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C
Do much disappointment over Jose not going through. I feel like trust has been broken. The reasons Gwen gave just didn't sound right. Are we sending people home because they're already perfect? What kind of show is that? Am I on crazy pills???!!
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I feel bad for Jose. He went with Gwen and she undercut him with someone she could "mother" rather than support to the win.
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I think Gwen had 5 great singers on her team. But Jose Luis was the clear stand out in that group. I was devastated when she cut him. She should have chosen him first, then for me, any of the other 4 contestants would have been a good pick. I’ve been watching this show for years and I’ve never been as shocked or heartbroken as I was to see Jose Luis leave. I feel like Gwen robbed us of what would have been some incredible future performances of his. I hope someone scoops him up and signs him because we need more Jose Luis!!! I want to see him on a Grammy stage one day.
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I think she made a terrible choice. For sure she should have kept Jose Luis. He was extremely talented vocally and had great stage presence. She blew it for sure not keeping him. He could have easily won. I notice her picks at times are the young artists that are just starting out and have lots of years to improve and make it. Why didn't she give an already talented artist a chance. He sounds like Sam Hunt. Also the second one.... Really. She had other artists that were way better vocally.
Reba was by far the most disappointing. I definitely think they blew it not keeping Lauren Michael. She was the most emotionally impactful singer on the entire team and the other could have been the country singer or Adam but I assummed she was going to pick Katie O. Danny Joseph comes across as loud and annoying. He's not as strong vocally as the others. I'd be surprised if Reba or Gwen won with the choices.
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When she got Jose on her team, I knew she had a chance to win this year…. And was I ever shocked she cut him….SMH!!! Talk about from hero to ZERO! She stands no chance now….
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That was the dumbest decision ever. Its no wonder she's never won the show. #Cluless
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No she shou have picked Tankersly
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She made the right choice. Both are very talented performers who have unique VOICES that were evident in their performances. Good job, Gwen!
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