It takes more than great vocal chops to win “The Voice.” You also need a helping of superstar stage presence.
Team Kelly singer D.Smooth captivated coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper during the first half of the Season 23 finale Monday night with his sultry rendition of “My, My, My” by Johnny Gill, elevating the ‘90s R&B ballad with his silky vocals. The 25-year-old scored double-standing ovations from Clarkson and Chance.
“That was insane,” Chance said. “That was probably one of my favorite performances on the whole show.”
Each contestant was tasked with performing a pair of songs, an up-tempo tune and a ballad, in their last bid for viewers’ votes on the NBC singing competition.
Beyond musical prowess, Clarkson praised D.Smooth for his infectious charisma and showmanship. “You are already a star,” Clarkson said. “You walk onstage (and) you do it right: You say hey to everybody in the band, the crew. You talk to everybody. … It was like it was your audience. It was like a completely different show.”
Here’s what else went down on Monday’s episode.
Team Niall singer hits ‘superstar’ status with Taylor Swift cover
Gina Miles of Team Niall dazzled with her vibrant performance of Taylor Swift’s electropop hit “Style.”
“You are a superstar. There’s nothing you can’t do,” Horan told the 19-year-old. “I can’t wait to hear what record you make after this.”
Chance said the high-energy performance allowed Miles to show off more of her individuality.
“Seeing you do more up-tempo pop stuff, it reminds me that you are your own artist,” Chance said. “I’m excited to see what stuff you come with, in terms of original works, after the show is done.”
Team Blake singer delivers finale energy with Lenny Kravitz rendition
Team Blake singer NOIVAS commanded the stage with his soaring cover of “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz, strutting the stage as fiery pyrotechnics turned the room into a rock ‘n’ roll inferno.
“It took us an hour, but we finally started this finale,” Shelton said, noting the singer’s game-changing performance halfway through the show. “You killed it.”
And while Chance echoed Shelton’s praise of NOIVAS, he couldn’t help but take some credit for the 31-year-old’s success after letting him go from his team during the battles round (Shelton promptly stole NOIVAS for his own team).
“You’re welcome,” Chance playfully said to Shelton, then telling NOIVAS, “‘I let him steal you from me, ‘cause I knew that he could take you there and could win the show. You deserve to win the show.”
Blake Shelton says Team Chance group sounds ‘like a record’
Sister trio Sorelle of Team Chance served up an explosive performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, electrifying the soul-pop classic with crisp harmonies and girl group-level footwork.
“You always sound like a record when you get up here,” Shelton said. “It’s unbelievable that one person can sing that in tune, that in the pocket, but to have all three of you doing it at the same time is a phenomenon.”
Chance was over the moon with the strength of the group’s performance.
“It was so, so good,” Chance said. “Choreography (was) on point. Your voices were so tight; the harmonies were so perfect. It was pitch perfect. I loved it.”
Viewers can vote for their favorite act on the official “The Voice” app or nbc.com/VoiceVote.
Catch up on this season of ‘The Voice’:
‘I like this chair’:Reba McEntire talks coaching on ‘The Voice,’ takes Blake Shelton’s seat
Blake Shelton threatens to disownNiall Horan as ‘son’ on ‘The Voice’ over singer Gina Miles
‘He’s just so funny’:Niall Horan talks bond with ‘dad’ Blake Shelton on ‘The Voice’
‘The Voice:’Did Blake Shelton’s playoff pass singer make it to the semifinals?
‘I’m so happy’:Blake Shelton uses final steal on ‘The Voice’ on Team Kelly singer
‘He belongs on my team’:Blake Shelton uses last battles steal on ‘The Voice’ to get back singer
