Richard Marx has stunned The Voice by refusing to send any of three artists through from his final Knockout, leaving a place vacant on his Quarter Final team as the competition narrowed its field across two nights on Sevenand 7plus.
The Knockouts placed artists in groups of three or four, with each performing an individual song. Only one artist from each group could progress directly to the Quarter Finals.
Each Coach also had one save, which could be used to bring back an unsuccessful artist from another team.
The biggest twist came when Richard Marx was asked to choose between Cherry Green, Saem Millward and Dickofollowing their solo performances.
Rather than select a winner, Marx decided none of the three would progress, meaning his team would enter the next stage with one fewer artist.
“I don’t feel like any of you rose to the occasion,” Richard said.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but I’m not going to take any of you.”
The decision surprised host Sonia Kruger and the other Coaches, with Ronan Keating saying he had not encountered the situation during his years with the franchise.
“I’ve done The Voice for 15 years around the world and I’ve never seen this before,” Ronan Keating said.
Earlier, 12-year-old Leyla Sabo performed Sienna Spiro’s You Stole The Show, drawing praise from all four Coaches.
Melanie C responded with: “I’m floored. I think we’ve just seen the winner.”
Other performances highlighted during the Knockouts included Tommy Novak singing Celine Dion’s All By Myself, Cleo Paladino performing Ariana Grande’s God Is A Woman and Phoebe Rose taking on Lady A’s Need You Now.
Yung Milla performed Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise, while Charlotte June sang R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts.
The Coaches’ saves also reshaped the teams ahead of the Quarter Finals.
After missing direct progression with Team Kate, Taylor Beadle-Williams performed Lizzo’s Juice and attracted save offers from all three rival Coaches. She ultimately chose to join Team Melanie C.
The 60Four received save offers from Richard Marx and Ronan Keating before choosing Team Ronan, keeping the group in the competition after previously being part of Team Melanie C.
Kate Miller-Heidke used her save on 15-year-old Daisha Auda, who had previously competed for Team Ronan, while Marx saved teenage rock band Wave Raiders from Team Kate.
The results leave Team Richard Marx with three Quarter Finalists: Tika Centinch (VIC), Tommy Novak (NSW) and saved act Wave Raiders (QLD).
Team Melanie C will take Cleo Paladino (NSW), Jack Hughes (NSW), Taylor Beadle-Williams (NSW) and Victoria Knight (VIC) into the next stage.
Team Ronan Keating consists of Jamie Koul (VIC), Leyla Sabo (VIC), Phoebe Rose (QLD) and saved group The 60Four (SA).
Rounding out the field for Team Kate Miller-Heidke are Bertie Anderson (SA), Charlotte June (SA), Daisha Auda (QLD) and Yung Milla (NT).
The remaining artists will next compete for places in the Semi Finals, with their Coaches determining who continues in the competition.
