It’s here! The Voice Season 26 is about to crown the season’s winner. After weeks and weeks of incredible music, shocking decisions, and brilliant rookie seasons, The Voice is here to give you the night we’ve all been waiting for. Now, before we begin, Snoop Dogg says he hopes he can do it again. You know. Coach. You heard the man! Bring him back for more! Oh, and big reveal. The winner and runner-up are getting a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Universal Epic Universe. I’m not jealous, you are!
Now, to the music. Why not kick off the night with a cast performance of a song from the biggest movie in the world? The entire group of 8 finalists unite to sing a sky-high rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. It’s a stunning performance, though those backup dancers take it to a whole different universe. Now, we all know that “Defying Gravity is all about that glory note. Who was going to get it? Well, it starts off as Shye, and then they said, “You know what, y’all can riff as one.” Smart move. I see what you did there.
‘The Voice’ Welcomes Back Alumni To Celebrate
Since it is the holiday season, the first special guest appearance comes from last season’s double-act coaches, Dan + Shay. Debuting the title track from their new Christmas album, “It’s Officially Christmas,” it has that country tone with a classic holiday essence. This one is perfect for your Christmas party playlist.Kelly Clarkson is one of this decade’s best Christmas artists, and she returns to The Voice stage to celebrate the season. She looks absolutely divine. “Your Kiss For Christmas” is the perfect cheerful song. And then she hits that whistle tone? Mariah Carey, who? When’s the Christmas tour, Kelly?
With no country representation in this finale, The Voice had to invite Season 24 winner Huntley back to perform his new single, “Skyline Drive.” A year removed shows just why he was Niall Horan‘s champion. It’s a truly great track, and Huntley looks like he’s been a star for decades. To perform before passing the torch to the next winner, last season’s winner, Asher HaVon, takes the stage to honor his coach, Reba McEntire. The song, “Thank You,” moves the Queen of Country to tears as the lyrics are truly meant for her. It’s a song we can all give to that special person in our lives. It’s a beautiful moment. So beautiful, the makeup touch up team likely has to rush to set at the next commercial break.
Next, it’s the performance we’ve allegedly been waiting for: “Another Part of Me” by Snoop and Sting. The song samples “Message in a Bottle” as the D-O-Double-G raps around it. At least we know the vocoder was working in the studio! There’s a reason why this performance is shoved in the middle of the evening’s festivities. Big yikes. Speaking of odd moments, Keith Morrison makes a surprise appearance to solve a crime regarding someone stealing Snoop’s candy. Listen, it may not be ripe for an entire episode of Dateline, but it sure was silly. Certainly, for a night of wall-to-wall music, non-alum have to fill the lineup. One of the best is Myles Smith’s exceptional performance of his song “Stargazing.” There’s a reason why this track has hit the charts worldwide. Fresh off their CMA performance, Riley Green and Ella Langley perform their duet “Don’t Mind If I Do.” It’s a beautiful song that softens the mood of the evening. Tears for Fears jumps the pond to perform their classic hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and their newest single, “The Girl That I Call Home.” It’s safe to say they haven’t missed a beat.
You Better Duet With Your Coach!
Each finalist gets to share the stage with their coach. For Sydney Sterlace, she takes on Cat Steven‘s “Wild World” alongside her coach Gwen Stefani. Now, I don’t know what it is about having another person on stage with her, but Sterlace has finally found a way to connect. Even when she is bopping around with the No Doubt singer, she’s letting her guard down. Stefani looks as if she’s Sterlace’s fairy godmother singing with her in her imagination. It’s sad that this performance isn’t judged because it’s possibly Sydney Sterlace’s finest performance during her run on the show.
Jeremy Beloate and Snoop Dogg were an unlikely pair since he stole him. The chemistry the pair have before their duet package shows a brotherly love connection. Their ability to find strength through their unity over loss is something I wish we could have seen sooner. They sing “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding. Yes, Snoop Dogg is about to sing a classic song. He’s got that swag that allows Beloate to ease into the song himself. He still maintains that rich baritone but steps away from the operatic tones. It’s a fun performance that is a nice cherry on an underdog season for Jeremy Beloate.
Michael Bublé pulls double duty as he gets to sing twice with his two representatives from his team. First, it’s Shye. The companionship the pair have built is so precious. They sing “Something Stupid” by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra. Perhaps it’s the orchestration or lack of rehearsal, but their harmonies are not tight and well, they flub the lyrics. They’re a bit of a mess. Now, we’re not in the studio with them, but it is almost as if they were reading the words off a teleprompter. It was not a shining moment for Shye. When the Filipino Phenom hits the stage with the Canadian Crooner, it’s pure magic. They sing “Who’s Loving You” as performed by the Jackson 5. When Sofronio Vasquez enters in the second verse, you would think he’s the coach and not Bublé. This may not have been a track he thought he would have performed, but adult contemporary is his lane. His ability to bring modernity to classic doo-wop unites generations. It’s easily the best duet of the evening.
Reba McEntire is the Queen of Country and the queen of comedy. She tries to rock a Danny Joseph mustache, for comedy’s sake. It’s cute. They’re an unlikely duo, but she truly has been the right coach for him. They sing “You Don’t Know Me,” a song that fellow coach Michael Bublé has previously performed. It’s a smart song selection for two artists from different genres. Jazz is truly a middle ground for rock and country. Reba is a superstar, and Joseph was a great supporting act for her.
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‘The Voice’ Season 26 Crowns Its Winner
This season was historic because the final five were each four-chair turns. They each represent a certain genre and dynamic that separates them from one another. With some time to spare, they each share their final thoughts with their coach, all of whom are represented at this moment. Here we go. The artist in fifth place is Jeremy Beloate. It’s been a shocking season for this underdog, but he has been a major factor in Snoop Dogg’s exceptional rookie season. The artist in fourth place is Danny Joseph. Sadly, it won’t be a back-to-back victory for Reba McEntire.
With three remaining, it will be a victory for either Gwen Stefani or Michael Bublé. Now, the singer in third place is Sydney Sterlace. That means that Michael Bublé is officially the winning coach. But which of his champions will earn the top prize? Shye takes second place, and the winner of The Voice Season 26 is Sofronio Vasquez! The Filipino Phenom has done it! For those who have been following along on this journey with me know that I knew this brilliant artist would be victorious from the start. The right winner has been crowned. Congratulations to possibly the greatest contestant the show has ever seen! Well deserved!
The right winner wins ‘The Voice’ Season 26
- Sofronio Vasquez may go down as one of the greatest to ever compete on this show.
- ‘The Voice’ alum prove why they won their respective seasons.
- A new coach becomes victorious.
- Snoop and Sting were not the duo we all waited for.
The Voice is available to stream on Peacock.
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