"The Voice" continued part two of its live playoffs Tuesday night with Shakira and Blake Shelton's teams singing for their lives and a chance to perform at live shows next week. With eight of the 12 final spots in the audience's hands, both coaches and contestants were pushing harder than ever.
Much like Monday night, when Adam Levine and Usher jammed on stage, Shakira and Shelton performed their first duet, of Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now." But they weren't the only stand-outs:
Beautiful, No Matter What They Say
It's hard to imagine Team Blake's radiant Holly Tucker suffers from any lack of confidence, owning the stage with her powerful rendition of Leanne Rimes' "How Do I Live." But it seems the artist Usher commended for "taking charge" of the stage grew up battling body issues, thinking she didn't look like a country starlet "should." Levine encouraged Tucker by calling her "beautiful" and "talented," leaving the strongest words in the mouth of her coach who said she's one of the people to beat.
Keeping Up With Karina
Karina Iglesias had a lot to prove this week, after a lackluster performance in the last knockout rounds and, boy, did she deliver. Believing in the "power of her voice," Shakira assigned Iglesias to sing "Let's Stay Together," a song that showed greater dimension to the rocker Latina and showed off her ridiculous chops. "I foolishly gave you up to Shakira," Levine admitted, after eliminating her in the early battles, adding, "You are a talented, talented woman."
Good Things Come In Young Packages
It's still difficult to fathom that Danielle Bradbery has had no experience singing in a public forum. The competition's youngest hopeful performed for her fourth time ever, taking on the classic, "Maybe It Was Memphis." Bradbery's natural gift shone onstage, leaving Shakira with few words but "Holy crap." Levine called her "the one to beat," and coach Shelton said, "Danielle is one of the most important artists who's ever been on 'The Voice.' " He believes strongly that the 16-year-old can be the country voice of a new generation and a positive role model to millions of young girls.
Oh, Sasha
The night ended with a beautiful bang courtesy Team Shakira's Sasha Allen. The gorgeous singer belted "Oh Darling," receiving notes to make the performance sexier during rehearsals. She took the advice, ran with it and came out on top. Shelton taunted her ex-coach Levine after the stellar performance saying, "Adam gave her up," who admitted she can 'still win this thing." Usher, on the other hand, was smitten with Allen's beauty, complimenting her outfit and Shakira exclaimed she's one of the "best voices" she has ever heard.
The special three-night episode will wrap Wednesday night (May 8) when the results are tallied and the top 12 performers are revealed.