Tuesday night, after the final Blind Auditions took to The Voice stage, 20 incredible artists moved one step closer to the Finals of the world’s biggest singing competition.
Megastar coaches Rita Ora, Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy selected their Top Five artists, leading to elation, tears and disbelief as artists realised their life’s dream was within reach.
Awe-struck by the epic line-up of talented women on Team Rita – Halimah Kyrgios, Tanya George, Sian Fuller, G-Nat!on and Sofia Watt – Rita said: “I have an all-girls team which was never the plan, I just had to go with my gut. I am so excited to take them all to the next level.”
Confident he has the winning artist on Team Keith – Lozz Benson, Arlo Smith, Jediael, Lau Abend and Cassie McIvor – the all-star coach declared: “I’m really, really thrilled I’ve got five incredible singers. All unique, all equally strong. I have the winner of The Voice on my team, don’t tell the others.”
The artists who “insanely inspired” Guy to take them to The Voice Finals were Adrian Hood, Chantel Cofie, Jordan Fuller, Penelope Pettigrew and Bella Taylor-Smith. Guy said: “I just can’t wait to create some more magical moments with them. Every one of my artists is so unique and incredible in their own way.”
Evile Jireh Sisifo-Laloata, Mick Harrington, Ella Monnery, Janaki Easwar and Seann Miley Moore secured a spot on Team Jess. Their coach beamed: “I’m so proud of my fearless Top Five, I’ve got big diva moments, tender heartfelt soul and the youngest artist in the competition. I am so excited to take them through… to show Australia what they’re made of.”
Sunday night on The Voice, the Finals are here; as the best of the best step back on stage, their life-changing dream could be just one song away. Plus, superstar coach Rita Ora takes to the stage to perform her hit Bang Bang.
Tonight’s final Blind Auditions on The Voice were:
Artist: Tia Mullins, 18, QLD
Song: We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off (Ella Eyre)
Chair turns: Four
Team: Jess
Tia was declared “the real deal” by Keith as all the coaches pitched to secure her for their team.
Keith: “I absolutely loved it. You have this beautiful balance of strength and vulnerability in your voice.”
Jess: “It was proper goose bumps.”
Artist: Penelope Pettigrew, 32, NSW
Song: Alive (Sia)
Chair turns: Four
Team: Guy
Penelope is back for redemption after failing to turn any chairs on The Voice last year, as coaches’ teams were at capacity. Her electric performance earnt four chair turns, a standing ovation and saw Guy busts out his final block against Jess declaring: “Damn was it worth it.”
Rita “I wouldn’t sing a Sia song to be honest… you really pulled it out of the bag… I think you are a star.”
TEAM RITA
Halimah Kyrgios, 31, ATC Respect (Aretha Franklin)
Rita: “I saw a little fire and I want the rest of Australia to see it.”
Halimah: [emotional] “I am just so excited having more moments of coming out of that shell, just to work with her [Rita]… what an opportunity.”
G-Nat!on, Taylah (17), Isla (16), Mateja (15), Rylee (16), Alessia (16) and Emma (18), SA Juice (Lizzo)
Rita: “Their harmonies are on point, they’re in sync on stage, they’re giving me attitude, they’re giving me sass.”
Sofia Watt, 15, WA Dancing on My Own (Robyn)
Sofia: “The feeling is indescribable; I am over the moon.”
Sian Fuller, 16, NSW Dancing on My Own (Robyn)
Rita: “You sang from the heart and that is the sign of a true performer.”
Sian: “Being in Rita’s Top Five is incredible. It feels like a dream. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”
Tanya George, 27, VIC Freestyle looping performance
Tanya: “I’m so overwhelmed now because I did not expect this.”
TEAM KEITH
Jediael, 18, QLD Video Games (Lana Del Ray)
Keith: “Jediael has bought out colours in that song in her vocal range that I’ve never heard before.”
Arlo Sim, 18, NSW Video Games (Lana Del Ray)
Keith: “Arlo’s voice is just sensational, he’s such a storyteller.”
Arlo: “I’m completely lost for words, I’m so grateful I don’t even know what to say.”
Lau Abend, 21, NSW Somebody I used to Know (Gotye)
Keith: “Lau has a way of conveying that emotion when she sings, no matter what she sings.”
Lozz Benson, 30, NSW Nothing breaks like a heart (Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson)
Lozz: “What just happened is bigger than being on the show, having someone like Keith see a little bit of potential is very validating.”
Cassie McIvor, 33, VIC Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus)
Keith: “I would love to have you on my team, welcome to the Top Five”
TEAM GUY
Bella Taylor-Smith, 23, NSW Time after Time (Cyndi Lauper) Guy: “I don’t think I’ve heard better singing ever on this show.”
Bella: “I can’t really contain it. I feel like I’m jumping out of my skin with happiness and excitement.”
Adrian Hood, 39, VIC Say You Won’t Let Go (James Arthur)
Adrian: “It’s like I was above myself, floating and watching, just an awesome feeling.”
Chantel Cofie, 23, NSW Say You Won’t Let Go (James Arthur)
Guy: [on Adrian and Chantel] “I genuinely think you are both artists that are just ready to go and should be heard.”
Jordan Fuller, 19, NSW This City (Sam Fisher)
Jordan: “I am so unbelievably happy to be in the top five in team Guy. I’m so excited.” Guy: “You absolutely deserve it.”
Penelope Pettigrew, 32, NSW Into the Unknown (Idina Menzel)
Penelope: “I can’t believe that I’m in Guy’s Top Five… I’m feeling amazing.”
TEAM JESS
Mick Harrington, 32, VIC Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics)
Jess: “Michael has brought something so different to this song, he’s made it into the most haunting ballad.”
Mick: “I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest. Just to be able to do this for the people I love, you don’t understand how thankful I am.”
Seann Miley Moore, 30, NSW Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics)
Jess: [On Seann and Mick] “I felt like I was watching an artist when I was watching both of them.”
Janaki Easwar, 12, VIC Ain’t Nobody (Chaka Chan)
Jess: “Janaki is 12 and she is singing like that! I wasn’t expecting her to be so fearless.”
Ella Monnery, 24, VIC One Night Only (Dreamgirls)
Ella: “Last year I was here, now I’ve been given another chance by Jess and I’m going to prove to her that I deserve to be here.”
Evile Jireh Sisifo-Laloata, 20, NSW Shallow (Lady Gaga)
Evile: “It inspires me to up my game because this is it.”
