'The Voice' Top 10 performance show: Kennedy Holmes, Kirk Jay and MaKenzie Thomas blow coaches away

The Voice's Top 10 contestants performed for home viewers votes in the live shows during Monday night's Season 15 broadcast on NBC.


Three artists stood out during the episode and received a standing ovation from coaches Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Blake Shelton.

Those artists were Kennedy Holmes, a 13-year-old from St. Louis, MO; Kirk Jay, a 22-year-old from Bay Minette, AL; and MaKenzie Thomas, a 20-year-old from Wallingford, KY.

Kennedy took the stage on behalf of Jennifer's team with "Me Too" by Meghan Trainor. Not only did she nail the notes, but she also impressed with well-executed choreography.

Kelly said it was awesome to watch her sing something age appropriate, and Adam joked, "If that's being 13, then I sucked at being 13. You can dance... You can move! That's another strength we didn't know much about until this moment. You killed it, kid."


And Jennifer said Kennedy never disappoints and the performance was really fun to watch. Jennifer also noted the artist is "ready for the game" regardless of what her age happens to be.

Kirk Jay, representing "Team Blake," belted out "Tomorrow" by Chris Young.

Jennifer exclaimed, "I don't care who's team you're on. Please vote for this boy because you need to make a country album... Are you trying to kill me or something?!"

She continued, "[Blake] almost had to pick me up off of this floor when you sat at that piano playing and singing the way you do. You are absolutely one of my favorites -- ever. That voice is bad."

Adam also admitted he's a huge fan of Kirk's, especially because it feels like something new is happening for country music every single time he performs. Adam said it's important for country music to have him.


"Kirk, that is far and away your most important and pivotal performance of the competition so far," Blake told his team member.

"Every one of your performances is a cliffhanger... You keep us all on the edge [of our seats]... You have this thing about you that draws us so close and we want to know what you're feeling and what you're going through, and that's what makes you a great country performer."

MaKenzie performed "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion on behalf of Jennifer's team.

"I said all the legends and all the greats and all the vocal divas would be watching. Just as there's a [Whitney Houston], there's a [Mariah Carey], there's a Celine Dion, there's a Kelly Clarkson, there's a Jennifer Hudson, there is a MaKenzie!" Jennifer yelled.

The other artists in the competition also delivered excellent performances.


"Team Adam" member Reagan Strange, a 13-year-old from Memphis, TN, sang "Cry" by Faith Hill.

Blake said he wanted to cry because Reagan never picked him as her coach. Blake acknowledged it was a tough song to sing but she did well with both her lower and higher register.

Kelly agreed it was a big song, and while Reagan hits amazing notes, what really makes her special is something that can't be taught -- her ability to express a lyric and emotion. Kelly said it's something she "innately" has.

And Adam revealed Reagan actually moved the pitch up a half step.

"When you get up there and sing, you just command the attention of everybody in the room with no distraction or any other things going on other than the purity and the simplicity of your beautiful voice, and that's something I always feel should be rewarded on this show," Adam explained.


Sarah Grace, a 15-year-old from Houston, TX, who represents Kelly's team, performed the House of the Rising Sun version of "Amazing Grace."

Jennifer said she didn't miss a single note and the performance displayed her confidence and all of her talents. Jennifer called it a "smart" vocal.

And Kelly explained she loves Sarah Grace's voice and she has so much soul to her. Kelly also insisted she's a very intelligent musician and vocalist. Kelly added it was an "insanely cool" version of "Amazing Grace."

Kymberli Joye, a 26-year-old from Windsor, CT, who is a member of Kelly's team, sang "Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United.

Blake felt it was Kymberli's most powerful, controlled and tasteful performance so far on this show, and Jennifer added there is nothing the artist can't sing and she's "walking toward [her] purpose."


Kelly told her team member that she accomplished just what she wanted to do on the show, explaining that it's not just about her big voice but rather moving someone and touching someone.

"Your capability of that is insane. Kymberli, once you broke down those walls and you let people in and you let God do His work, it is beautiful, man! It's beautiful," Kelly said.

Chris Kroeze, a 27-year-old from Barron, WI, belted out "Callin' Baton Rouge" by Garth Brooks for Blake's team.

Kelly screamed, "I love him, I do!" She said he's not only talented but he seems "super sweet," "relatable" and "rad."

Blake was so proud of Chris as a coach and happy for him as a fellow country singer and musician. Blake said he just brought country music to America on primetime television.

Dave Fenley, a 39-year-old from Nashville, TN, took the stage with "When You Say Nothing at All" by Keith Whitley as a member of Blake's team.


Jennifer admitted she doesn't know much about country but she definitely knows a great voice when she hears one. Jennifer declared she's a fan of Dave's talent.

Kelly complimented Dave on his storytelling ability and "the ache" in his voice during that song. She thought it was a "perfect song choice."

And Blake gushed about how Dave never does the same thing twice and it's because he sings with his heart and every word comes from what he's feeling deep down. For that reason, Blake said he must move forward in the competition. 

DeAndre Nico, a 22-year-old from Port Arthur, TX, who is a member of Adam's team, sang "That's What I Like" by Bruno Mars.

Jennifer said he "sang that song down" and showed "a more performance side" to himself. Kelly just yelled it was "so good" and she "loved it."

Adam wished there was a way to convey to viewers at home what the room felt like when DeAndre sang because the feeling he gave everyone was so special. Adam said he accomplished the task at hand, stepped it up and did an absolutely "tremendous" job.


"Team Kelly" member Chevel Shepherd, a 16-year-old from Farmington, NM, impressed with "You're Lookin' at Country" by Loretta Lynn.

Blake said Chevel found a way to make a Loretta Lynn song even more country with her recurring yodel, and Jennifer called her "adorable" and said the performance gave her joy.

"I love you!" Kelly gushed, before Adam chimed in and said no one should underestimate her talent.

Kelly added that she felt blessed to have Chevel on her team and appreciated everything Chevel represents on the show.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski