'The Voice' kicks off Knockout Rounds with 8 artists advancing, including Addison Agen & Chloe Kohanski

The Voice's Knockout Rounds commenced Monday night and featured coaches Adam Levine, Jennifer Hudson, Blake Shelton, and Miley Cyrus advancing a total of eight talented artists.


In each Knockout, two members of a coach's team are pitted against each other, but each individual is able to sing a solo song of his or her own choosing -- unlike "The Battle Round" in which each faceoff is in the form of a duet. The goal for every artist is to outperform and outshine the opponent.

Winners of "The Knockout Round" advance to the show's "Playoffs" in which the 20 remaining artists, plus four comeback artists, will perform for their coaches for only three spots on each team heading into the live shows. 

The six winners in last night's The Voice broadcast were Team Blake's Esera Tuaolo, a 48-year-old former pro NFL football player from Hawaii who currently resides in Minneapolis, MN; Team Jennifer's Shi'Ann Jones, a 15-year-old from Paducah, KY who currently resides in Bowling Green, KY, and Davon Fleming, a 25-year-old worship leader from Baltimore MD; Team Adam's Addison Agen, a 16-year-old from Fort Wayne, IN; and Team Miley's Janice Freeman, a 32-year-old single mom and cervical-cancer survivor from Compton, CA, and Ashland Craft, a 21-year-old from Piedmont, SC.

Each coach is allowed to steal one artist from another team during this round.


The following two artists were stolen Monday night: Adam Cunningham, a 38-year-old from Nashville, TN, and Chloe Kohanski, a 23-year-old from Mt. Juliet, TN.

All of the contestants got to work with this season's key adviser, first-season American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, throughout "The Knockout Round."

Monday night's broadcast began with Blake pairing Adam Cunningham with a performance of "Either Way" by Chris Stapleton against Esera, who sang the Luther Vandross version of "Superstar" by The Carpenters.

Blake paired these artists because they both have emotional voices but he felt he needed to choose between Adam's raspy voice and Esera's delicate and gentle sound.

After the performance, Jennifer noted that Esera's notes soared in the song but Cunningham captivated her and made the song his own. Adam thought Esera won the Knockout, and with that being said, Blake opted to keep Esera on his team because the coach believed there is no one like him on the show or even on the earth.


However, Adam chose to steal Cunningham because of his amazing country voice.

Next up was Team Jennifer's Lucas, who performed "Tell It Like It Is" by Aaron Neville, and Shi'Ann, who sang "Who's Lovin' You" by The Jackson 5. Jennifer paired them together because they're both powerhouse singers with an R&B vibe.

Miley loved the different layers in Lucas' voice and said he took Jennifer's coaching to the next level, but Miley pointed out Shi'Ann is only 15-years-old and won the match-up because her vocals were "crazy and amazing." Adam then called Lucas "a freak" -- in a good way, of course -- but Jennifer ultimately decided to advance Shi'Ann, who had picked the perfect song for herself.

Adam then paired Addison with Dennis. Addison sang "Beneath Your Beautiful" by Labrinth featuring Emeli Sande, while Dennis delivered a fun performance of "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix. Adam paired them together since they were both of his stolen artists and he didn't have as much time to get to know them as his other team members.

Blake called Addison one of his favorite vocalists in the competition and thought she took that Knockout vocally. Jennifer agreed that Dennis didn't have much presence in his voice while Addison sounded pitch perfect and clear. Although Dennis is an awesome musician and no longer a backup singer, the coach decided to keep Addison on his team because her voice is comforting and special.


Backstage after the knockout, Adam was shown saying that Addison could "save the world" with her voice and could definitely win the show. He was already picturing her winning Grammy Awards and having fans who "worship her."

Another Knockout was between Janice's "I'm Going Down" by Mary J Blige against Karli Webster's "Blue Bayou" by Linda Ronstadt for Team Miley. Miley paired two of the most unique voices on her team together.

Adam admitted he was in love with both artists after their performances, explaining that Janice tells a story and sings her face off while Karli also did a fantastic job. Blake said the artists were both at the top of their own lanes and that Karli could win the show. However, Blake also noted that Janice "blew the roof off" the place.

Miley couldn't have been more proud of her team members and the level of talent they showcased. It was a hard decision because both contestants met perfection, but in the end, Miley advanced Janice.

Jennifer then paired Davon with Eric Lyn. Davon took the stage with "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, while Eric Lyn performed "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. Jennifer matched them since they're both soul singers with different styles.


Jennifer confessed choosing between the artists was going to be her hardest decision of the season so far because they're both such skilled vocalists.

Jennifer thought Davon was a phenomenal singer, but she appreciated how unique Eric is. Adam even joked that Eric should sing in outerspace because he's unlike anything in this world. However, Jennifer kept Davon on her team because the extent of his talent and experience is undeniable.

The last Knockout of the night belonged to Ashland with "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi against Chloe with "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac on behalf of Miley's team.

Jennifer called Ashland a star but noted how she let her nerves get in the way a little bit. As for Chloe, she knew what this moment meant, and she fully took advantage of it. Adam agreed Chloe had "a breakout moment" on the show.

Miley explained that Chloe is just like her as an artist and they'd have so much fun picking out songs together, but at the same time, Ashland was the powerful country voice on her team. Miley went with her heart and chose to advance Ashland.


Blake and Jennifer, however, both attempted to steal Chloe. Jennifer said Chloe showed her passion and has so much to share, but Blake argued that he specializes in winning The Voice and had fought for Chloe in every round. In the end, Chloe joined "Team Blake," and the coach was shocked she was even available to begin with.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski