It was fun while it lasted, but Team Blake finally lost one of its own on “The Voice” Tuesday.
Blake Shelton’s squad has run roughshod over a season dominated by country acts. Danielle Bradbery, The Swon Brothers and Holly Tucker came back week after week as coaches Usher, Shakira and Adam Levine lost their acts two by two. But with three of the remaining six acts his own, Blake knew the odds were against him Tuesday, and he was proven right when America sent Holly home.
Singing in the first half of the show Monday didn’t help the Baylor University student’s chances, nor did the tepid praise she received from the coaches after her first song. The fact that her iTunes download didn’t do as well as her rivals wasn’t a good sign either. And with Sasha Allen taking herself out of danger with a show-stopping performance to close Monday’s episode, it cost Holly a lot of wiggle room.
But ultimately Holly, who has been a coaches’ favorite since all four turned their chairs around for her at the blind auditions, got caught in a numbers game. With her teammates and Adam’s Amber Carrington all boasting country backgrounds, she had a hard time standing out. Blake’s strategy of allowing his singers to play to their strengths may have kept her around while others took chances and fell flat, but ultimately, it meant she was playing the same game as a bunch of other hopefuls and they were doing it better.
The predictable result made it a relaxing night for most of the coaches who were down to their last act. Usher gave a smile and a small clap when Michelle Chamuel was the first singer announced in the final five. Shakira, who charged the stage in her high heels when Sasha was saved a week ago, this time acted like she’d been there before.
Only Adam had to stress, as Amber didn’t get pulled back from danger until the final few minutes. He fell off his chair in mock relief.
Holly and the Swons were the last two acts remaining onstage, and the show ended with the guys hugging a sobbing Holly. To add insult to injury, she didn’t have time for a parting shot, both because of the hugs and because “America’s Got Talent” was tapping its toes, ready for its season premiere to start.
But Blake can be cheery about one thing: He’s still the only judge with multiple acts in the final five.