Blake Shelton uses final steal on 'The Voice' on Team Kelly singer: 'I'm so happy'

Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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Blake Shelton reached a bittersweet milestone during his final season on “The Voice.”

Team Kelly singers Holly Brand and Rachel Christine dazzled coaches Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan during the second round of the knockouts Monday night. Brand delivered a powerhouse rendition of the LeAnn Rimes version of “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” originally performed by Bill Monroe, while Christine stunned with an ethereal cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon.”

Brand’s dynamic vocal delivery, featuring a pitch-perfect acapella intro, “completely blew” Chance away. Meanwhile, Christine’s solid stage presence following Brand’s performance stood out to Clarkson.

“I don’t know that everyone sitting here could do that and not feel a little shaken,” Clarkson said. “You’re just a really incredibly gifted singer.”

However, Clarkson declared Brand the winner of the knockout, seemingly sending Christine home. That’s when Shelton swooped in and hit his steal button, saving Christine from elimination and setting off the final steal of his tenure on the NBC singing competition.

“I’m so happy I stole Rachel,” Shelton said. “She’s a very diverse vocalist, and I need that on my team.”

Here’s what else went down during Monday’s episode.

Chance the Rapper requests commercial break during 'tough' knockout

Singers Jamar Langley and Magnus of Team Chance put their coach in a pickle with a pair of soulful performances. Magnus sang a tender cover of the John Legend ballad “Ordinary People,” and Langley offered up a charming, guitar-driven rendition of “Cruisin’” by Smokey Robinson.

“You can sing some baby-makin’ music, man,” Clarkson told Langley. “I love you playing the guitar. I know it’s called ‘The Voice,’ but it actually enhances your vocal ability.”

Chance said he was moved by Magnus’ individuality as a vocalist.

“When I think about the idea of ‘The Voice,’ it’s not about what you see onstage but really what you can hear,” Chance said. “And Magnus has such a specific identity as a vocalist that I love.”

The pressure of choosing between the two singers proved to be difficult for Chance, who asked for more time to deliberate. “I’m having a very tough time making this decision,” he said. “Can we go to commercial real quick?”

When the show returned, Chance revealed that he had chosen Langley as the knockout’s winner.

“(Jamar) has this unspoken confidence when he’s performing,” Chance said. “I’m excited that he’s going to continue to show who he is.”

Which Team Blake singer did Kelly Clarkson steal?

Team Blake singers Grace West and Neil Salsich won over the coaches with their musical prowess and showmanship. West channeled her inner country queen with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again,” while Salsich delivered a high-energy performance of "Takin’ It to the Streets” by The Doobie Brothers.

“We were having a good ol’ time during your performance,” Clarkson told Salsich. “You have this energy about you when you sing. It’s captivating, and your voice is crazy.”

West’s consistency as a vocalist shined through in her performance.

“Your tone is super cool to me and has that Southern feel to it,” Chance said. “And the pitch is always there, which is dope.”

West edged out Salsich as the winner of the knockout, but the show wasn’t over for Salsich. Before he could head off the stage, Clarkson hit her steal button, bringing him onto her team.

“He can sing anything,” Clarkson said of Salsich. “He’s sneakily one of the best singers in the competition.”

Catch up on this season of 'The Voice'

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Voice': Blake Shelton uses final steal on Kelly Clarkson's singer