Team Gwen Stefani advanced Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace to the live semi-finals during The Voice Season 26 playoffs on November 19, 2024. The one-hour episode featured five team members performing at NBC's studio stage, with Machine Gun Kelly serving as the playoff advisor.
Jan Dan performed "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas, while Sydney Sterlace sang Taylor Swift's "betty." The remaining three contestants - Jose Luis who performed "No More Drama," Jake Tankersley who sang "The Painter," and Gabrielle Zabosky who covered "Listen to Your Heart" - concluded their Season 26 run.
These selections mark the first playoff results of Season 26, with Teams Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg scheduled for November 25 and 26. The advancing contestants will return for the live semi-finals on December 2.
The Voice Season 26 Playoffs start with Team Gwen making tough calls
Gwen Stefani announced her decisions after all performances concluded. Jan Dan secured the first advancement to The Voice Season 26’s live semi-finals. Sydney Sterlace earned the second spot in the live semi-finals.
Jose Luis, Jake Tankersley, and Gabrielle Zabosky ended their Season 26 journey. Team Snoop will perform their playoffs on November 25. Team Reba follows on November 26. The advancing contestants will appear in the live semi-final shows starting December 2.
The remaining The Voice Season 26 teams hold their current lineup going into playoffs.
Team Snoop includes Aliyah Khaylyn, Austyns Stancil, Christina Eagle, Jeremy Beloate, and Mikaela Ayira.
Team Reba maintains Adam Bohanan, Danny Joseph, Edward Preble, Katie O, and Lauren-Michael Sellers.
Team Bublé consists of Cameron Wright, Jaukeem Fortson, Shye, Sloane Simon, and Sofronio Vasquez.
These teams will follow the same format, with each coach selecting two members to advance in The Voice Season 26.
Performance sequence
Jose Luis commanded The Voice Season 26 Playoffs stage with Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama" as the opening act. His performance displayed precise vocal control and stage movement. In rehearsals, MGK focused on helping Jose develop an authentic stage presence through natural movements. His delivery earned immediate recognition from Snoop Dogg, who praised his technical skill and stage command.
Jake Tankersley presented "The Painter" by Cody Johnson as a musical tribute to his wife Ashley. The rehearsal sessions with MGK centered on incorporating subtle performance elements to enhance the emotional impact. Jake merged his guitar skills with vocals, creating a gentle musical arrangement. His previous coach Snoop Dogg expressed appreciation for his musical growth since the earlier rounds.
Gabrielle Zabosky transformed Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart" with a distinctive piano accompaniment. The preparation period focused on connecting deeply with the song's message, as advised by MGK. Her performance included varied vocal techniques and musical dynamics.
Reba McEntire offered specific feedback about maintaining a consistent stage presence throughout the song. The arrangement highlighted her vocal abilities while bringing a fresh interpretation to the classic track.
Jan Dan approached Kansas's "Dust in the Wind" with a distinctive musical perspective. During rehearsals, MGK emphasized the importance of physical expression to match the song's emotional depth. His performance maintained the song's core melody while adding personal touches. The coaches noted his ability to blend different musical styles effectively. Michael Bublé commented on Jan's skill in bringing unexpected elements to familiar songs.
Sydney Sterlace took the final performance slot with Taylor Swift's "betty." The fifteen-year-old singer worked with MGK on storytelling techniques during rehearsals. Her performance featured distinct vocal control in the lower and higher ranges. Michael Bublé noted her vocal maturity, while Reba McEntire specifically mentioned her technical range abilities.
Feedback and comments
The Voice Season 26 Playoffs Mentor Machine Gun Kelly brought specific technical focuses to each contestant's preparation. He guided Jose Luis through movement techniques to enhance stage presence. His work with Jake centered on guitar positioning and performance timing.
For Gabrielle, MGK concentrated on emotional expression through vocals. He helped Jan Dan develop intentional stage movements. With Sydney, the focus remained on songwriting perspectives and vocal storytelling.
The Voice Season 26 coaches provided technical evaluations after each performance. Snoop Dogg assessed vocal control and stage presence across performances. Reba McEntire focused on specific vocal techniques and range management. Michael Bublé discussed song interpretation methods. Gwen Stefani shared detailed observations about each team member's growth through the competition phases.
The Voice Season 26 Playoffs Part 2 is all set to air on November 25, 2024.