Original subtitles

**

[ Cheers and applause ]

This is it. Welcome to the Season 26 playoffs premiere.

Let's go. Woobly woobly. Whoo!

I love when my team goes. Like, it's so exciting.

Tonight is all about Team Gwen.

Let's go, Gwen.

I can't wait to show off my team.

It's going to be mind-blowing.

Team Gwen is -- I don't want to say it in front of her,

but full of amazing singers, and she is a massive threat.

Snoop Dogg: Now, this looks amazing.

Smile like it's a Christmas card.

There's no saves. There's no steals.

Last five -- cut down to two.

Reba: I don't know how she's going to choose.

It's the last step before the live shows.

We can only take two people to the live shows,

and this is just going to be so hard.

I'm literally having to listen to the spirit.

Like, I think the Holy Ghost is over here, Snoop.

Well, the gangster Holy Ghost does travel.

I'm so excited to have MGK here.

He's just one of those artists

that has bounced around in genres.

He's bold.

He has a new song with Jelly Roll.

* Lonely road, take me home * * Lonely road *

Gwen: He's so successful. He's doing arenas.

He's doing stadiums.

He's a producer. Writes his own music.

There's just a lot for them to gain by having MGK here.

MGK: I've been so eager to work with Gwen.

A dream collab. Dream chasing is so cool.

The first check I ever got was $45 for winning first place

competing against 20 other talents

for "Showtime at the Apollo" when I was 19.

If they don't walk away with a win,

they still walk away with knowledge, which is also a win.

Here we are. We're at "The Voice." Thank you for having me.

Boop, boop. Hello, guys.

You're MGK,

which is going to be really difficult for my dyslexic brain.

It's just certain things for me, like, letters in a row.

That's why it's so funny

that I have that song spelling "bananas." Yeah. Oh, my God.

Like, I know. Like, I literally -- That's so ironic.

You know what's funny?

In middle school, I had a handshake to that song.

You did? Yeah, it was so cringe watching it back, but...

[ Laughs ] That's so cute, though.

So happy you came to visit. Thank you. I'm so stoked I came.

This is where it gets crazy.

Jose Luis is a monster.

* I'll wait for your love *

He's so unbelievably gifted, right?

I watched a video. He's amazing.

Gwen: It's so fun to have somebody like Jose Luis on my team,

because it makes me feel so powerful.

Jose Luis! Hi.

Oh, my God. Hi.

Jose: I literally have no words to describe it.

MGK has won, like, tons of music awards.

You did so good the other day.

And I love that we both share the same love for fashion.

I don't even know what else to do to coach you

except for just be your cheerleader.

We all need that love and support. Mm-hmm.

That is our fuel, right? [ Chuckles ]

Were you accepted as a singer?

Like, were you supported? Um, at the beginning,

I think it's rough for many of us,

but, yeah, this is me.

People has to take it even if they didn't understand it. Cool.

[ Laughs ] The one thing I love from the last performance you did

and what I'm seeing now -- the swag is great, right? Oh, thank you.

Style is so clearly important to you,

so don't be scared to bring the swag.

We love Gwen. It's beyond the songs.

It's image. Like, there's so many stages of Gwen.

Create your own version of what that is.

That's an icon right there. For sure.

What? [ Laughter ]

Anyways, let's hear this.

My song that I will be singing now

is "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige. Fire.

I connect to this song on a really deeply emotional level.

* Broken heart again *

* Another lesson learned *

Jose: The song is about breaking free from all the pain

and all the drama in your life that keeps you stuck.

* No more pain *

When I was young, I was bullied a lot.

People would say that I was too feminine,

people would call me freak,

and music created, like, a bubble for me to escape.

I feel like in "The Voice," I-I can be my true self.

* I'm tired of all the drama *

I've created beautiful friends,

and they accept me just the way that I am.

* In my-y-y-y-y li-i-i-i-i-i-fe *

Damn. Wow.

Ugh, like, the movements are so good.

Thank you.

I just think that, at the very beginning of the song,

if you were a little bit less perform-y and more real. Okay.

I agree. It felt like a performance...

Yeah. ...as opposed to the truth.

If you just ignore everything and just take that breath,

say whatever mantra is true to you,

"I am music, I am love," and you let it go

and you're like, "It's my time."

Jose: MGK was amazing.

He had beautiful advice with so much respect.

I loved it.

* No more drama in my life *

Gwen: If he can get his personality across,

it's just going to make it that much more, um, amazing.

Yeah, people will want to root for him more.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

* Why'd I play the fool? *

There's no more steals or saves,

so the competition has been getting real.

* Knowing all the time *

I really want to stay

and perform in front of America -- lives.

Gwen: You look through me. MGK: Yeah.

That's what a star does.

I don't know how I'm going to pick. This is really hard.

I'm so happy I got to see that. Thank you so much.

That was great.

Michael: Let's go, Jose.

They got on ears now. They can hear us.

I know. The love is getting there.

Yeah. You bet-chy.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Singing "No More Drama," here is Jose Luis.

**

* Broken heart again *

* Another lesson learned *

* Better know your friends *

* Or else you will get burned *

* Gotta count on me *

* 'Cause I can guarantee that I'll be fine *

* No more pain *

* No more pain *

* No more pain *

* No more pain *

* No drama *

* No more drama in my life *

* No one's gonna make me hurt again *

* Why'd I play the fool? *

* Go through ups and downs *

* Knowing all the time *

* You wouldn't be around *

* Or maybe I like the stress *

* 'Cause I was young and restless *

* But that was long ago *

* I don't wanna cry no more *

* No more pain *

* No more, no more, more, more, more, more, more, more tears *

* No more tears *

* I'm tired of cryin' *

* I wanna smile again *

* No-o-o *

* No more drama *

* I'm gonna speak my mind *

* I'm gonna speak my mind, okay *

Jose comes to life.

* It feels so good *

* When you let go *

* Of all the drama in your life *

* And you're free from all this pain *

* And you're free from all the stress *

* And you're free from all the stress *

* So you better go find your happiness *

* I don't know *

* Only God knows where the story ends for me *

* But I know where my story begins *

* It's up to us to choose *

* Whether we win or lose *

* And I choose to win, yeah, yeah *

Whoo-hoo-hoo! Whoa!

* I'm tired of all the drama *

* No more drama *

[ Vocalizing ]

* No more drama *

* No more drama *

* No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no *

* No more *

* No more drama *

* In my li-i-i-i-i-i-i-fe *

* In my-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y *

* Li-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-fe *

[ Cheers and applause ]

Daly: That is Jose Luis, everybody.

Wow. You see what that is, Snoop?

That's playoff sanging right there.

Yeah. Yeah.

That was some playoff sanging at its highest level.

The way you control your vocals,

you made a Mary J. Blige song your song?

You're a star, man. I don't have no buttons no more.

They took all my buttons away. [ Laughter ]

But I would push the button to get him to the final two.

Okay. Thank you.

Michael. This is my first time in this playoff thing.

I was just blown away.

I hope they show my face when watching it.

I was just saying, like, "Jose, Jose."

[ Laughter ] Thank you.

Thank you, Coach. Reba.

Reba: You did a wonderful job.

I know a lot of seasoned people

that have been in the business for a long, long time.

They don't have the charisma that you have on stage.

Your vocals were absolutely incredible.

Totally. Yeah.

[ Laughs ]

Thank you, Reba. Gwen.

You're just so unbelievably talented.

You're so tasteful with the way that you do it.

I have so many feelings right now... Aww.

...because this is just so difficult.

You're just incredible. Jose: Thank you, Gwen.

How about another big hand for Jose Luis, everybody?

Gwen: Jose Luis -- he has style, stage presence, confidence... Beautiful.

...but the one thing we've been working on is just trying to,

like, let him get completely opened up

so that I can root for him even more.

Great job. [ Cheers and applause ]

I got to cut three people today. Three out of five.

She's not going to make it. She's not going to make it.

* This is "The Voice" *

Daly: Welcome back to the playoffs at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Gwen: I have no clue what to do.

Departure is not failure.

I think your team is going to be fine.

I don't see any weak people on your team

that's going to cry or break down.

No, Snoop will be crying. They'll be fine.

Yeah, you know I'm a crybaby. Stop saying that.

[ Gwen and Snoop Dogg laugh ]

Hey, guys, I'm about to go into rehearsals.

I'm on Team Gwen now.

Alright, I miss you guys. I love you all.

Love you. You're going to kick butt. Bye.

This is Jake, my new team member.

Like, I basically stole him from Snoop.

Daly: Hold everything.

Gwen used her only block on me,

and I'm going to go with Gwen.

Gwen: He's a really good, classic, authentic country singer.

Gwen: Jake! Gwen.

What's up? My country star.

And MGK?

What up? What up? Yes!

Are you serious? What up?

I was completely shocked to see MGK.

How are you? [ Chuckles ] Doing good.

Jake: He's just one of those guys

who's able to tap into different genres.

He covered a Zach Bryan song.

He has a song that just came out

not too long ago with Jelly Roll.

* She talks about the future *

* Like she's flippin' through a magazine *

I'm singing "The Painter" by Cody Johnson.

This song paints the picture so well.

Like, my life was black and white before I met Ashleigh,

and she brought the color to it and still does.

* Gets excited about all my crazy dreams *

I put so much into this passion of mine.

The gigs, the late nights, the being away.

It definitely gets me emotional thinking about

all that she's done.

* Before he came into the picture *

Gwen: I love this song choice.

It has a story to it.

You can visualize immediately this person

that he's talking about.

It feels in his element

and, like, he comes across really grounded.

I would think that this could be a song

he would do out in the world.

[ Applause ]

So good. Thank you.

It makes me think about my wife and my kids back at home.

There's room for you to be more animated

in the storytelling in your eyes.

Yeah, you have a good smile, too,

so maybe crack a smile or something on the -- on that. [ Chuckles ]

Let people know they can be close to you.

Lyrically, it's a lot of words.

When you have any moment when there is no lyrics, though,

because there are so many words, like, step away from the mic

and play your guitar.

It's all about the feel.

You have a wife and kids.

Like, they bring the color to your life.

So it's all feel. I love that. I love that.

That's good, that's good, yeah. Right?

I think everything about this performance

is just going to be you selling that story emotionally. Yeah.

Who did you love in the country scene image-wise?

Johnny Cash is, like -- Of course, bro.

So, I mean, dude... [ Laughs ]

...I think you should come like that on the show. Yeah.

Do like Johnny Cash would do.

That's the first thing I thought when you started singing.

He was mysterious, and he had the depth in his voice

where it fills the room.

I feel like his voice recorded would sound...

Oh, it'd be great, yeah. ...beautiful.

You're a really good singer.

That means so much. Thank you.

To win this thing and make it to lives,

it is going to take 100% in every area,

and that's what I'm going to do.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Let's go, Jake!

Hi, Jake!

He ain't sung one vocal, and they're screaming for him.

He's a crowd favorite. [ Cheers and applause ]

You got this, Jake.

With the painter, here is Jake Tankersley.

[ Cheers and applause ]

**

* She talks about the future *

* Like she's flippin' through a magazine *

* Finds the beauty in the thrown away and broken things *

* Gets excited about all my crazy dreams *

Yeah!

* Got every sunset that she's ever seen memorized *

* Saves them away for a rainy day or stormy night *

* The sky is brighter lookin' at it through her eyes *

Whoo!

* I don't remember *

* Life before she came into the picture *

Hey! Get them, Jake!

* Brought the beauty I was missin' with her *

* Showed me colors I ain't ever seen *

* She took chances *

* With every wall I built, she saw a canvas *

* I thank God every day for how He made her *

* My life was black and white, but she's the painter *

* Mm-mm-mm-mm *

* She reminds me that it ain't too late to start again *

* Fine is good, but you need some blue every now and then *

* How'd I live so long without her reckless touch? *

* I don't remember *

* Life before she came into the picture *

* Brought the beauty I was missin' with her *

* Showed me colors I ain't ever seen *

* She took chances *

* With every wall I built, she saw a canvas * Hey.

* I thank God every day for how He made her *

* My life was black and white, but she is the painter *

* Whoa-oa *

* Ooh *

* She's the painter *

[ Cheers and applause ]

Whoo!

Eat, Jake! Eat!

[ Cheers and applause continue ]

I'll be your roadie anytime, Jake.

Great job, man.

Let's go to your former coach, Mr. Snoop Dogg.

Jake, I'm a proud uncle over here.

I'm going to say that. It just seemed like

you were singing that song for your wife, man.

That's exactly where my heart went, and, uh... Aww.

Gwen: Aww. ...it got emotional for a second.

Come on, Jake.

Jake, you know I like to cry on this show, too,

but you ain't finna make me cry right now.

I'm finna make you cry. [ Laughter ]

Jake, ain't nothing wrong with expressing that love

for the one that holds you down.

She's been the queen,

she's been the rock, the foundation.

I'm so happy that you're still on the show,

that cousin Gwen took you in.

I don't see how you're going to send him home.

But that's not my decision no more, Jake.

[ Laughter ]

I'm not your coach no more.

I'm just a homey now, so I can just say what I feel.

Daly: Reba.

Wonderful job.

Your range is incredible on this song, too.

I loved it. Way to go.

Thank you so much.

Alright, Jake, let's see what your coach thought. Gwen?

For me, it was, like, bringing out more of Jake,

more of your personality.

We talked about facial expressions,

about emotion, and I could see it.

I think you did a great job tonight.

Thank you, Coaches. Thank you so much.

How about another big hand for Jake Tankersley?

[ Cheers and applause ] Way to go, Jake.

Thank you.

Jake, he's so authentic. All of my notes -- he took.

And so it was really fun for me to see him grow like that.

Just going to make it even that much harder.

Jake: I feel like that was all I had there,

especially with the emotions getting me,

and cowboys cry, too, I guess, every once in a while.

A real man knows how to tap into another real man's emotion.

You know what? I heard it in that last note.

Oh, he got so choked up. Yeah.

I'm pulling for Jake.

He's a full package. He soundscountry.

Perfect song for him. Yeah, it was.

All five of her acts are different.

I don't know what she's going to do.

* This is "The Voice" *

Daly: Welcome back to the playoffs.

I have such a soft spot for Gabrielle.

She's quirky. That's my jam right there.

Yeah, and she's got, like, a lot of character in her voice.

Like, she can belt at the same time she can do runs.

Okay. She's already coming right now.

Muffin! Yes. [ Gasps ] Wait. Stop it.

MGK? Hi. Hi.

MGK is Grammy-nominated.

I know he has all these awards, and he's a phenomenal artist.

He kind of jumps genres, which is really cool.

MGK: Where are you from? I'm from outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

Yeah, I'm from Cleveland. I'm not far from you. Okay, not that far at all.

Are you working a job right now?

I actually quit my job to do this.

I worked at Olive Garden. [ Laughs ]

My girl. Yes, I know the menu front and back.

Okay, that's really cool, 'cause I used to work at fast food a lot.

It makes me root for you even more.

Thanks. How's the song going?

How's this feeling? It's so good.

I'm singing "Listen to Your Heart," Roxette,

but I'm doing, like, a slower piano version.

* Listen to your heart *

* When he's calling for you *

Gabrielle: The song really just reaches out and says,

"Listen to who you are."

The words are, "I don't know where you're going,

and I don't know why,"

and that's, like, the story of my life.

* And I don't know why *

I knew when I was 21 it was time to go.

I had to get out of my hometown.

I was out of a toxic relationship.

There was nothing there for me.

My gut instinct said, "Girl, you have to go."

It helped me further myself as a person,

and it was the best thing that I ever did. [ Chuckles ]

[ Vocalizes ]

I made that up.

Yeah, no, no. I got it. Don't trip. That was fire.

Oh, word? Yeah.

What I love is just the character,

and then I love you have so much dynamics.

I want you to go even further into that character. Yeah.

I think that there's work to do on the song... For sure.

...'cause, like, I see you in your eyes

thinking about what you just sang

before you're even going to sing the next line.

Yeah, I do that a lot.

Do not disconnect from the lyric.

Yeah. You got to get lost.

Gotcha. So, like, drown in it.

Be consumed by this. Like, this is life or death.

Do you know what I mean? You quit your job. Yeah. Absolutely.

Like, this is life or death, dude. Absolutely. Yeah.

She has the potential to take her voice anywhere she wants.

I'm rooting for you. I really am. Thank you so much.

She has to get rid of all the distractions

and take full advantage of this moment.

Great to meet you. It was so nice to meet you.

Gwen: What her challenge is going to be

is to really be totally taken over by these lyrics.

And I think that when she gets on that stage

and the pressure's on, she's going to bring it.

Thank you so much.

Singing "Listen to Your Heart," here's Gabrielle Zabosky.

[ Cheers and applause ]

**

**

* I know there's something in the wake of your smile *

* I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yeah *

* You built a love, but that love falls apart *

* Your little piece of heaven *

* Turns too dark *

* Listen to your heart *

* When he's calling for you *

* Listen to your heart *

* There's nothing else you can do *

* I don't know where you're going *

* And I don't know why *

* Listen to your heart *

* Before you tell him goodby-y-y-y-y-y-e *

* And there are voices that want to be heard *

* So much to mention *

* But you can't find the words *

* The scent of magic *

* The beauty that's been *

* When love was wilder than the wind *

* Listen to your heart *

* When he's calling for you *

* Listen to your heart *

* There's nothing else you can do *

* I don't know where you're going *

* And I don't know why *

* Listen to your heart *

* Before you tell him goodby-y-y-y-y-y-e *

* Yeah-eah-eah-eah *

* Listen to your heart

* Befo-o-o-re *

* You tell him goodby-y-y-e *

* Oh, oh, oh *

* Ooh, ooh *

* Oooooh *

[ Cheers and applause ]

Way to go. That is Gabrielle Zabosky, everybody.

Team Gwen. Michael.

It is the coolest thing to have a front-row seat

and watch a human being grow exponentially.

It's so fulfilling.

I was really moved by your performance,

so congratulations. Thank you. [ Chuckles ]

Snoop Dogg.

Let's say that I've had my eyes and my ears on you

for a while, and I was blocked.

[ Laughter ] * I'm sorry *

I forgive you.

I truly see the growth that you've made,

as far as with your confidence.

You was taking on some notes that was real big,

and you was hitting them,

and when you broke it down and got real smooth and beautiful,

that's the part of you that I really like the most

'cause I'm a smooth player, you know what I'm saying?

So great job. Thank you so much.

Thank you, smooth playa. Reba.

I was looking at your eyes

and you looked a little panicked sometimes.

And then you got into the song. It was going back and forth.

Once you marry that beautiful voice of yours

and what comes out of your eyes, you're going to be unstoppable.

Thank you. Way to go.

Gwen. Did we not talk about all this stuff?

Yeah. [ Chuckles ] Like one of the biggest things we worked on

was losing yourself in the song

and the fact that you've grown so much,

I'm just so proud of you.

I just am excited for you in your life. Really.

Thank you, Gwen. How about another big hand

for Gabrielle Zabosky, everybody?

Gwen: I think, with Gabrielle, she's so talented.

My heart is wrapped around her. I love her so much.

Go, girl. Michael: It has become very obvious that it's the playoffs

and people have stepped up their game.

You know what? You have a great team.

I have a really good team.

Still don't have an inkling about what I'm going to do.

I'm going to be doing my prayers over here,

just asking -- asking the spirit to guide me.

I want to do the right thing.

* I'm sorry *

Yes, I am. Get them, Mike.

In Canada, it's, * I'm sore-y *

"Sore-y." [ Laughs ]

* Really, really, really sore-y *

* This is "The Voice" *

Daly: Welcome back.

Jan Dan chooses weird songs

that you don't think he would do. Good for him.

He can do runs and do anything with his voice.

He's had, like, a crazy journey on the show.

His wife was labor, like, and he's on stage. [ Gasps ]

She's sleeping? Yeah.

I'm about to go into this rehearsal, and I'm nervous.

Oh, you're going to be amazing.

Gwen: When I saved Jan Dan, it was one of those

"follow your heart,

and you never know if you're going to be right."

What's up? This is crazy. MGK: What up, dude?

Jan Dan: It was insane to see MGK standing there,

and everything that he does is super authentic to him.

I also was on stage when I was having a baby. Really?

Yeah, I had to go to the hospital right when I got offstage.

Jan Dan: And one of the things that I've been working on

is to be more free and loose in my performance,

and I'm singing "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas,

Jan Dan: I just really connect to these words... Yes.

...being that I just left an eight-year career

knowing I wanted to pursue music.

* I close my eyes *

The song is about understanding that this is but a quick moment,

and if we're not making anything of the moment,

the moment will pass away like dust in the wind.

* Pass before my eyes, a curiosity *

I chose this song because, for eight years,

I've been working for the church,

putting services together,

and I just kind of lost my zeal in that.

And I decided that I needed to follow my heart.

* Ye-e-e-e-ah *

For me, it's more body language than anything else. Yeah.

I would've sat on the floor and just sang it like this... [ Chuckles ]

...because that would've really made people be like,

"What's going on in his head right now?" Yeah.

If you can let that soul come through in your body language,

then you're just going to get there.

Gwen: He needs to grow into who he's going to be

because he's just made all these changes so quickly.

MGK: That's going to be something... Yeah. Yeah.

...that's, like, a process for him,

because it takes a long time.

My whole career, none of it was unauthentic to myself. Mm-hmm.

Don't ever stop making those choices.

For certain people, weird is the way.

It is crazy that there are no saves or no steals.

I can't wait to show you off. [ Chuckles ]

The best two out of five on a team --

it's definitely so much pressure to make sure

that you're giving your all in this performance.

Great job, man. Appreciate it, man.

Jan Dan was singing from the heart, and his choice in songs

is a super odd recipe of different ingredients

that you wouldn't think go together. Yeah.

It's like jalapeños and ice cream,

but he's making it work. It's weird.

Yeah, the fact that he's choosing these songs,

it shows me he's an artist.

Say hi to my baby. [ Chuckles ] I will.

I just need him to just loosen up,

and if he can do that for me,

then it's a no-brainer with Jan Dan.

With "Dust in the Wind," here's Jan Dan.

[ Cheers and applause ]

**

* I close my eyes *

* Only for a moment *

* And the moment's gone *

* All my dreams *

* Pass before my eyes, a curiosity *

* Dust in the wind *

* All we are is dust in the wind *

* Same old song *

* Just a drop of water in an endless sea *

* All we do *

* It crumbles to the ground *

* But we refuse to see *

* Dust in the wind *

* All we are is dust in the wi-i-i-i-i-i-i-nd *

* Oh, oh, oh *

* Now, don't hang on *

* Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky *

* It slips away *

* And all your money's not another minute buy *

* Dust in the wind *

* All we are is dust in the wind *

* Dust in the wind * Whoo! Yeah, man.

* Everything is dust in the wind *

* He-e-e-e-e-e-e-y *

* He-e-e-e-e-e-e-y *

* Dust in the wind *

* Everything is dust in the *

* Wi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-nd *

[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, my God.

[ Sighs ] Daly: That is Jan Dan, everybody, from Team Gwen.

Wow. So artistic.

Reba, what'd you think?

I just love the way you vocalize

and the runs you do.

I could sit there and listen to a full concert with you singing.

[ Cheers and applause ] Michael.

So far, we've heard you sing Brandy,

Stevie Wonder, and Miley Cyrus. [ Laughter ]

And now you're singing "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas.

[ Laughter ] With all of these genres,

what else do you have up your sleeve?

Mm-hmm. Snoop.

First of all, you ain't supposed to be knowing these songs.

You put your own twist on it,

which gives it the soul and the original version.

Great job, Jan Dan.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Alright, Gwen.

Hold. Let me just wipe my tear.

[ Chuckles ] [ Audience "awws" ]

This is a man that chooses notes

that are so artistic and beautiful.

He's a painter with his voice.

I think you're just so cool.

I'm literally having to listen to the spirit.

Like, I think the Holy Ghost is over here, Snoop,

right now, yeah. Well, the gangster Holy Ghost travels.

I'm doing it. I'm getting it.

She's going to need it soon enough.

How about another big hand for Jan Dan, everybody?

Gwen: Jan Dan's my wild card.

Well, he's showing up to show me who he is.

The ones that rise to the top are the ones

that are wearing their heart on the sleeve,

and I just root for him.

Looked good, felt good, and you sung good.

Way to go.

My favorite so far.

* This is "The Voice" *

Daly: Welcome back to the playoffs.

The next artist is 15.

She's the same age as my daughter,

which going to be a trip watching somebody else

on a platform like this being 15 years old.

Oh, my God. I can't believe I'm about to walk in there.

Gwen: I love what she can do with her voice.

It's just so beautiful and pure.

It's already sparkling like a diamond.

It's just now she just needs life.

I'm excited to sing this song specifically

because I want to be a singer-songwriter,

and Taylor Swift is really good at songwriting and storytelling.

When you do songwrite, too --

by the way, this is one thing Lionel Richie told me

that I really like --

keep your ears open to everyday conversation.

God, why didn't I think of that?

Like, it's so, like -- Yeah.

Yeah, take -- take whatever your friends say...

What we all say, yeah. ...and use it.

Yeah. For sure.

* The worst thing that *

Sydney: I'm singing "Betty" by Taylor Swift

I relate a lot to Taylor Swift

because she started singing when she was around my age.

So pretty.

I'm a little bit nervous because there isn't a moment

that's showstopping in my voice,

so I feel like I really have to be a storyteller with this one.

Yay!

Wow, this is so different, but you can do it.

I think one thing I'm noticing --

this song is really about storytelling

and about the lyric, right?

Yeah. What is she talking about?

You're kind of desperate 'cause you're embarrassed,

you know, you did s-- you messed up.

To me, it seemed like you're a little bit too happy.

So you're not going to have a smile

while you're singing it, right? Yeah, I wouldn't be happy, yeah.

Yeah. I think this is a challenging song for Sydney.

She's really going to have to connect with the lyrics.

And if she can really do that and put this on

like it's her story, I think it's going to be great.

That last "I'm only 17" is definitely, like,

your moment to give everybody goosebumps, because it sounds

like she shouldn't be going through this at that age.

And I'm sure you probably never did

one thing wrong in your whole life

that you needed forgiveness for, so pretend.

Probably take the excitement away from being here

and, like, just embrace the hurt for these three minutes.

Sydney: I'm not really into, like, drama

because I have such a close friend group,

so I guess I just have to pretend that me

and my friends got into this huge fight.

So then I can really add the emotion to this song.

Really good. You're about to -- You're about to snap.

She has all the checks of what you need in a singer, so... Yeah.

Congratulations, and good luck. Thank you.

It's going to just be, like -- [ Chuckling ] Good luck.

I think I leave before you have to make a decision.

I know. It's the worst.

Love you. Love you, too.

Enjoy the journey.

With "Betty," here is Sydney Sterlace.

[ Cheers and applause ]

**

* Betty, I won't make assumptions *

* About why you switched your homeroom *

* But I think it's 'cause of me *

Wow.

* Betty, one time, I was riding on my skateboard *

* When I passed your house *

* It's like I couldn't breathe *

* You heard the rumors from Inez *

* You can't believe a word she says *

* Most times, this time it was true *

* The worst thing that I ever did *

* Was what I did to you *

* But if I just showed up at your party *

* Would you have me? Would you want me? *

* Would you tell me to go straight to hell? *

* Or lead me to the garden *

* In the garden would you trust me *

* If I told you it was just a summer thing? *

* I'm only 17 *

* I don't know anything *

* But I know I miss you *

* I was walking home on broken cobblestones *

* Just thinking of you when she pulled up *

* Like a figment of my worst intentions *

* She said, "James, get in, let's drive" *

* Those days turned into nights *

* Slept next to her *

* But I dreamt of you *

* All summer lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng *

* Mm-hmm *

* Yeah, I showed up at your party *

* Mm-hmm *

* Yeah, I showed up at your party *

* Will you have me? Will you love me? *

* Will you kiss me on the porch *

* In front of all your stupid friends? *

* If you kiss me, will it be *

* Just like I dreamed it? *

* Will it patch your broken wings? *

* I'm only 17 *

* I don't know anything *

* I know I miss you *

* Standing in your cardigan *

* Kissin' in my car again *

* Stopped at a streetlight *

* You know I miss you *

[ Cheers and applause ]

Daly: That is Sydney Sterlace, ladies and gentlemen.

We'll start with Michael. It's crazy to me. You're 15.

I'm wearing six pairs of Spanx that are older than you.

[ Laughter ] I'm blown away by your voice.

We are so lucky that we have got to be witness

to this journey of this superstar.

Thank you so much. Thank you, Michael.

You're 15 years old,

and you have the greatest taste in boots.

You're from New York.

How did that happen? [ Laughter ]

I love your range. I'd dang sure vote for you.

Thank you. Snoop.

You were always my favorite.

Like, I thought that you had strong enough vocals

to win the whole show. Mm-hmm.

So when you become a big star, I'll be at your concerts.

Wow. Thank you, Snoop.

Gwen: I don't even know how you did that.

You're acting your age,

but yet that makes it even more shocking

when you're singing the song.

My favorite part of your voice

is that little tender part that you do. Yeah.

And I'm just proud of you.

Thank you so much.

How about another big hand for Sydney Sterlace, everybody?

Let's go, Sydney!

Gwen: Sydney is so instinctual,

mature for her age, and what she brings under the pressure

tells me that she's going to go far.

My God, I don't know what to do.

I'm nervous to the point of feeling sick today.

Great job.

Look, I'm getting emotional again just right now.

My eyes are starting to water.

I'm just really dreading this decision

that's coming up real soon.

I would wear that. Still.

* This is "The Voice" *

Daly: Welcome back.

Now it is time for the moment of truth.

Please welcome the members of Team Gwen.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Great job, Team Gwen.

Jose, Jake, Gabrielle, Jan Dan, and Sydney,

only two can represent Gwen in the Top 8 live show.

Gwen, how do you feel right now?

I feel proud, and I feel honored that each one of you guys

let me hang out with you and help you.

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,

and whatever you do with this moment

is going to be the next part of your life.

Wow. So that does give me comfort.

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.

I'm going to ask you the name of the artist

that's going to move on here in a second... [ Chuckles ]

but do you have any last words, Gwen, just for your team? I...

See, going through it, y'all.

[ Voice breaking ] I'm so proud that I get to be on this show

and -- and work with you guys.

I don't want to freaking cry right now.

So embarrassing. Like, stop. No, you're making me cry.

But I-I really, truly learned something

from each one of you guys.

Music is so beautiful and spiritual.

It brings us all together,

and you guys are all letting that channel through you

and -- and thank you for trusting me.

Daly: The time has come, Gwen.

Who is the first artist moving on?

The first person from Team Gwen that I'm picking...

...is Jan Dan.

Jan Dan, who looks absolutely stunned.

Gwen: This decision was super hard for me.

I had to pick Jan Dan. He's just -- He's too unique.

Oh, man. Man.

He has so much taste, and he has such a perspective

that I just wanted to give him that opportunity

to share that with America in the lives.

Daly: Alright, Gwen, this is it.

Unfortunately, only one more can advance to the semifinals.

Who is your last artist moving forward?

I really want to go with the one that really moves me,

who I think I can coach.

Who's going to move on into the live shows is --

is Sydney.

Sydney Sterlace.

Also stunned.

Moving on to the live shows.

Gwen: I had to go with Sydney. It was just a gut feeling.

She moves me. She gets on that stage, and I-I just --

I want to see more. I just can't let her go home.

Oh, congrats.

I can't imagine what she's going to be doing in the lives.

Gwen, you're not going to regret this.

Like, you -- [ Chuckles ]

We're going to bring you the win.

Daly: How about a huge hand for these three artists

that leave us tonight?

[ Cheers and applause ]

These playoffs are just so emotional.

It's just a really great group of people,

and you're just rooting for them.

Reba: Watching Gwen go through what she did tonight

for her team makes me anxious.

I'm a little dreading it

because I don't want to make that decision.

I love all five of my artists.

That was hard on her, dang it.

Next week, Team Reba's coming. [ Clicks tongue ]

It's going to be very tough.

Jose Luis, you're a star, man.

Thank you.

Shout out to Team Gwen.

They did their thug thizzle tonight.

Kiss them babies, man, when you make it back to the house. Ah, absolutely.

But next week, Team Snoop, we hit the stage, as well.

And you know don't nobody do it like the D-O-double.

So you know you're in trouble.

**

**

**

**

[ Roars ]