Gwen Stefani isn’t afraid to give some tough love on NBC's “The Voice,” even if it borders on the kinky side.
Team Gwen singers Calla Prejean and Chechi Sarai turned the third round of Battles into a sobfest Tuesday night, performing an emotional cover of Lady Gaga’s “A Star is Born” ballad “I’ll Never Love Again.”
Sarai, who struggled to bring out her personality during rehearsals, wowed Stefani with her impeccable range onstage. But the “Hollaback Girl” singer sensed some lingering nerves, prompting her to give the Michigan vocalist a saucy pep talk.
“That was like a Grammys first verse. It was so good, but I could still see this little bit of (an) insecure version of you that doesn’t belong on that stage or in your life,” Stefani said. “You are just not that girl, so I’m going to just have to spank you, like, no!”
Stefani is determined to help Sarai shine. She declared the 32-year-old the battle’s winner.
“I just know that Chechi has what it takes to have a flawless performance,” Stefani said. “She has an original sound. She’s somebody I can really work with, and I can help her.”
Here’s what else went down on Tuesday’s episode.
When the Queen of Country gives counsel, contestants had better take note.
Team Reba singers Mac Royals and Rachele Nguyen proved that disco will never die with a charming performance of the Bee Gees' classic “How Deep Is Your Love.”
Nguyen, 17, was a clear standout with her precocious vocal prowess. “The fact you’re 17 – I hate to throw that in there, ‘cause singing is singing – but the things that you can do with your voice and your instincts is pretty magical,” Stefani said.
Nguyen’s duet partner Royals did not fare as well. While the Arkansas vocalist received praise from Stefani for his “warm and buttery” tone, coaches Niall Horan and John Legend noted some pitchiness in his performance.
Coach Reba McEntire praised Royals for his “incredible” vocals, but the country icon also voiced disappointment with the creative liberties taken by the 31-year-old singer. McEntire had previously cautioned Royals about straying too far from the song’s original format.
“I still wish we could have stayed with the Bee Gees' version of the opening because that kind of threw me again, as it did in our rehearsals,” McEntire said. “Maybe that was the pitch thing you guys were talking about.”
In the end, McEntire chose Nguyen as the battle’s winner. But before Royals could sing his swan song, Legend hit his steal button and snatched up the eliminated singer.
“Mac has the kind of voice that I love to listen to,” Legend said. “He just sounds like he should be a star right now. I want to hear a Mac record. Maybe he should have always been on Team Legend.”
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