‘The Voice’ Season 21 Episode 21 Recap: Top 10 Artists Stretch Their Comfort Zones for Challenge Week
It’s time for The Voice Top 10 to take their talents to the next level. The Voice Season 21 Episode 21 showcased Challenge Week, where the competition’s remaining artists chose songs outside of their usual genres. The challenges proved to be no trouble at all, as the singers wowed coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, John Legend, and Ariana Grande every time. Plus, the rock band Måneskin took to the stage to sing “Beggin'” and “Mammamia.” Fans can now vote for their favorite Top 10 artists to determine who will make it to the semi-finals.
[Spoiler alert: The following story contains spoilers for The Voice Season 21 Episode 21, “Live Top 10 Performances.”]
Team Ariana
Holly Forbes kicked off the night for Team Ariana. She decided to try out disco, choosing Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” for her performance. In rehearsal, Ariana said the song “pushed Holly in the best way.” She delivered an upbeat performance that wowed the coaches, especially when she ripped her skirt off to reveal another layer underneath. Later, John called Ariana a “powerhouse,” while Kelly complimented the personality Holly showed. Holly’s coach said the singer proved she could push her limits.
Father-son duo Jim and Sasha Allen shook up their style with an R&B tune. After their Instant Save last week, Ariana was thrilled to see them back in action in rehearsal. Jim and Sasha chose “Stay” by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko, adding their signature storytelling vibe. Their coach was moved to tears in rehearsal and said she “needed to go call her therapist.” John complimented the “heartbreak” in Jim and Sasha’s voices. Later, Ariana said it was one of her “favorite performances” this season.
Team Ariana: Holly Forbes, Jim and Sasha Allen
Team Blake
After a concerning fall during last week’s show, Wendy revealed that she broke a few bones in her wrist and elbow. However, that didn’t stop her from bringing her all to a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Sporting two casts on her arms, Wendy took to the stage for a smooth acoustic rendition of the tune. John said he was “transfixed” during the performance and compared it to a religious experience. Meanwhile, Kelly said the song sounded “beautifully sad.” Blake added that Wendy showed a perfect example of strength and perseverance through her injuries.
Lana Scott decided to try her luck with pop this week — but with a country twist. She sang Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away,” adding her signature country twang and a violin accompaniment. After the performance, Ariana said she “tackled the song beautifully.” Blake added that she delivered the song’s message well and agreed that the pop tune worked well as a country tune.
Paris Winningham wanted to sing one of his favorite songs that he’s never performed before. He chose “Amazed” by Lonestar, a slow, country love ballad. The tune had so much emotion that it brought Paris to tears. After his performance, Blake gave a standing ovation with a huge smile on his face. John admitted that he regretted letting Paris go from his team, causing Blake to give a devious chuckle.
Team Blake: Wendy Moten, Paris Winningham, Lana Scott
Team Kelly
The Voice Season 21 Episode 21 continued with Team Kelly’s Jeremy Rosado. He ventured into country music with Brad Paisley and Jimmie Allen’s “Freedom Was a Highway.” In rehearsal, Kelly encouraged Jeremy to bring more energy since he typically sings slower ballads. Ariana called Jeremy “phenomenal as always.” Meanwhile, Kelly said she could tell Jeremy “felt free” during the performance.
Hailey Mia took the country route for her song this week. She chose Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” and Kelly thought it was a great fit despite falling outside her usual style. Kelly pushed her in rehearsal to sing a higher note, and Hailey nailed it. The 14-year-old singer looked as happy as ever on stage as she let her personality shine. Ariana called Hailey “stunning” and complimented her growth in confidence. Kelly added that she showed no fear while trying out something new.
Sibling trio Girl Named Tom channeled rock vibes with Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” Kelly suggested that they bring “ache” to their voices; Caleb, Bekah, and Joshua were up to the challenge. They delivered gorgeous harmony, but still let their individual voices shine in solos. Girl Named Tom brought a new level of energy to the stage, which brought Kelly to her feet. Blake said he loved seeing them showcase their power, and John compared the trio to Arcade Fire. Finally, Kelly said the shift from folk to rock was “so cool.”
Team Kelly: Jeremy Rosado, Girl Named Tom, Hailey Mia
Team Legend
Jershika Maple opened for Team Legend with Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun,” bringing a little pop-rock to the show. She admitted that it would be a challenge for her breath control, but Jershika gave it her all in rehearsal. John encouraged her to be a little “sassier,” so she turned the sass level up to 10 on stage. The coaches jumped to their feet and clapped along. Kelly said Jershika’s rendition was “rad,” and John said she “knocked it out of the park.”
Joshua Vacanti stepped away from his usual Broadway sound for a soulful classic: “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. John wanted Joshua to put a spin on it, so the singer decided to show off his vocal range throughout the tune with longer runs. Blake called the singer “such an important artist” and said he can’t wait to see Joshua perform every week. John complimented Joshua’s falsetto and called it a “knockout performance.”
Team Legend: Jershika Maple, Joshua Vacanti
Vote for your favorite artists via The Voice official app or NBC.com/voicevote. Tune in to The Voice on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. on NBC.