'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Season 26 of The Voice kicked off its much-anticipated Battle Rounds on October 21, 2024, with an intense night of competitive performances.
Coaches Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and Michael Bublé paired their contestants to face off in duets, with the winners moving on to the Knockout Rounds and the eliminated singers going home.
This season, each coach had one Steal, allowing them to save a contestant from elimination. In the first night of the Battles, Michael and Gwen both used their Steals to rescue Sloane Simon and Mori Ilderton, adding an extra layer of strategy to the competition.
Trending
Here's a breakdown of the artists who were sent home and those who advanced, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The first night of Battles saw four contestants leave The Voice
1) Alison Elena
In a dramatic face-off between Alison Elena and Kendall Eugene from Team Reba, the pair sang Bring on the Rain by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw. Reba, struggling with the decision, ultimately chose Kendall for his "vocal power and stage presence," resulting in Alison's elimination.
2) Eliza Pryor
Eliza Pryor, paired with Mikaela Ayira for Team Snoop, delivered a heartfelt rendition of A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. Although Eliza’s performance impressed the coaches, Snoop decided that Mikaela had more potential, praising her for having "a big voice that just needs more control."
3) Gail Bliss
Team Snoop also saw the elimination of Gail Bliss, who performed Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson alongside Christina Eagles.
Despite Gail’s grounded and powerful voice, Snoop felt that Christina had more room to grow as an artist, selecting her as the winner. He described Christina as a star with a:
"strong voice and the ability to command the stage."
4) Jaylen Dunham
Jaylen Dunham’s journey on The Voice ended after a battle with Jan Dan on Team Gwen. The duo performed For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder, showcasing very different styles. Gwen ultimately chose Jan Dan, citing his readiness to take on the competition.
Artists advancing to the next round
Several contestants made it through to the Knockouts:
Christina Eagles (Team Snoop): Christina’s performance of Redneck Woman earned her a spot in the next round, with Snoop emphasizing her star potential and stage presence.
Kendall Eugene (Team Reba): After winning his battle against Alison Elena, Kendall moved forward in the competition, with Reba praising his vocal power.
Kiara Vega (Team Michael): Kiara secured her spot by defeating Mori Ilderton in a tough battle with Iris, with Michael choosing her for her unique voice and potential.
Mikaela Ayira (Team Snoop): Mikaela’s win over Eliza Pryor was based on her big voice and room for growth, according to Snoop Dogg.
Jan Dan (Team Gwen): Jan’s performance of For Once in My Life impressed Gwen, who selected him for his readiness.
Sydney Sterlace (Team Gwen): Sydney, a 15-year-old powerhouse, beat out Sloane Simon in a stunning performance of Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish. Gwen described Sydney as "dynamic" and praised her growth from rehearsal to the battle.
Sloane Simon (Steal by Michael): Though Sydney won their battle, Sloane was rescued by Michael, who called her "a pop star in the making" and admired her angelic tone and control.
Mori Ilderton (Steal by Gwen): Mori was saved after his elimination from Team Michael, with Gwen highlighting his distinctive voice and potential.
Beginning of the Battle Rounds: The Voice
The first night of the Battles set a high bar for the competition, with strong performances and difficult decisions by the coaches. As the season progresses, viewers can expect more intense showdowns and surprising steals as the remaining contestants fight for a place in the live shows.
As Gwen Stefani noted after one of her battles:
“It’s not easy to let people go, but that’s the nature of The Voice. You have to make tough decisions, and sometimes the Steal comes in handy.”
The use of Steals on the first night alone signals how competitive this season of The Voice might turn out.
The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC at 8 pm ET/PT, with episodes streaming the following day on Peacock.
