Blake Shelton is no stranger to competitive moments on “The Voice,” but even a seasoned veteran can be caught off guard. Bodie, Kevin Hawkins, and The Dries of Team Blake competed for a spot on Shelton’s roster during the first round of the show’s first-ever three-way Knockout Rounds Monday night.
During the revamped Knockout Rounds, each coach selects three of their acts to perform three back-to-back performances, after which one contestant is chosen to advance in the competition. Bodie wowed the coaches with his cover of Post Malone’s “Better Now,” while Hawkins and The Dryes delivered stirring renditions of Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work” and Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd’s “Chasing After You,” respectively.
The task of determining a winner proved too much for Shelton. “I’m quitting the show,” he announced. “You three broke me. I quit.” Bodie won the knockout, but Hawkins was surprised when coaches Gwen Stefani and Camila Cabello hit the “steal” button for a chance to bring the singer on their team.
“I’ve always thought you had crazy star power,” Cabello admitted. “When you sing something and I feel something in my heart, I can’t let someone like that go, because I like people who are the whole package.” Hawkins ultimately chose Stefani as his new coach.
Chello, Morgan Myles, and Orlando Mendez of Team Camila didn’t make things easy for their coach with their emotional performances. Chello delivered a touching rendition of Justin Bieber’s “Hold On,” while Myles and Mendez delivered heartfelt recreations of Jackie DeShannon’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” respectively.
Cabello was struck by Chello’s sharp individuality. “You’re so unique. There’s nobody else like you, period,” Cabello said. “It’s very easy for people to fall in love with the whole package of you.”
Cabello was torn by the “tough decision” of choosing a winner. “I wish I could save one of you guys (or) two of you guys. I wish I could just save you guys,” she said. Despite criticism for her onstage delivery, Cabello saw potential in Myles and chose her as the knockout’s winner. “There’s nothing she can’t do, and I honestly feel like she could win this season,” Cabello said. “She’s just such a true artist.”