The Voice Recap: Blake Shelton Uses Steal To Save a Member of His Own Team

We’re at the halfway point of the Battle Rounds on season 17 of NBC’s The Voice and the hits have already been hard. Going into night 3, both Kelly Clarkson and John Legend have used their only “save,” while Gwen Stefani has used her only “steal.” It’s been admittedly difficult for Blake Shelton, but he’s holding tight to both of his options to save or steal members for his team in the hopes of win number-seven.

And the Battles continue!

TEAM LEGEND and USHER

WILL BREMAN (25) and JARED HERZOG (21)

Battle track – “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes

• GWEN: picked Will
• KELLY: couldn’t pick
• BLAKE: couldn’t pick

Winner: WILL

• JOHN: “Will is really special. He performs with a lot of passion and energy and excitement and electricity that is really infectious. I think he can do really well on this show.”

TEAM BLAKE and DARIUS RUCKER

MARINA CHELLO (37) and RICKY DURAN (29)

Battle track – “Valerie” by The Zutons

• JOHN: picked Ricky
• GWEN: picked Ricky
• KELLY: couldn’t pick

Winner: RICKY

• BLAKE: “Ricky is a star. He’s going to be a threat to everybody in this competition. I just love his voice and I love the way he gets lost in the moment. Moving forward, we gotta find more songs that he can apply that kind of talent to.

SAVE: Blake – “I believed in you from the beginning, I believe in you now. It’s not time to start over again with somebody. Please Marina, please stay on Team Blake!”

STEAL: Kelly – “I thought you just slayed that song. That was incredible. I think we have a similar vibe, like as far as what you chose to sing in the blinds. That’s why I’m picking you now, too. I think there’s something super special about you, but I do think the right choice here would be me.”

MARINA stays with TEAM BLAKE

TEAM KELLY and NORMANI

JAKE HOOT (31) and STEVE KNILL (37)

Battle track – “Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson

• BLAKE: picked Jake
• JOHN: picked Jake
• GWEN: couldn’t pick

Winner: JAKE

• KELLY: “I went with Jake because I felt like there are certain times that are undeniable. When Jake walks out on stage, it’s undeniable. I am a sucker for straight up, old school country and that’s what Jake is.”

TEAM GWEN and WILL.I.AM

ROYCE LOVETT (30) and KIARA BROWN (22)

Battle track – “Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley and the Wailers

• KELLY: picked Kiara
• BLAKE: picked Royce
• JOHN: couldn’t pick

Winner: ROYCE

• GWEN: “I had to go with Royce because his voice had so much character, personality and dynamics. And he’s just really talented and has a lot of stage presence. He’s just the full package.”

SAVE: Kelly – “I do think you tricked me in the blinds. The whole point is for you to show us what you’re capable of. You didn’t, man. Your range is incredible. Why didn’t you show that? I’m so impressed by your voice, but I’m even more floored with how Gwen talks about you. What touches us and people at home watching is character. And the fact that she speaks so highly of you and you’re willing to learn and you’re a workhorse? I think you belong here.”

STEAL: Gwen – “I wasn’t planning on this, Kiara, because I have somebody else on Team Gwen that I’m super torn about and now I’m just super confused because I would love to work with you more. I thought we had a lot of fun together. Either way, we’re going to be on here all together. And it’s really up to you.”

KIARA picks TEAM KELLY

• KELLY: “The most exciting thing that has happened in battles, to me, is Kiara.”

TEAM BLAKE and DARIUS RUCKER

JOANA MARTINEZ (15) and MATTHEW McQUEEN (22)

Battle track – “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco

• JOHN: picked Joana
• GWEN: picked Joana
• KELLY: picked Matthew

Winner: JOANA

• BLAKE: “The thing about Joana’s voice is it’s still developing. I know she’s got an incredible range, she’s got a unique tone, and moving forward I just gotta lean on her to figure out who she wants to be as an artist.”

TEAM GWEN and WILL.I.AM

KYNDAL INSKEEP (22) and JAMES VIOLET (20)

Battle track – “I Could Use a Love Song” by Maren Morris

• KELLY: picked James
• BLAKE: picked Kyndal
• JOHN: picked Kyndal

Winner: KYNDAL

• GWEN: “She’s got just so much character in her voice and that’s something you can’t teach somebody. I think with that, she’s going to go far.”

SAVE: Gwen – “I gotta be honest. I had this planned this whole time. You were always on my ‘I’m gonna save him’ list. I’m just so proud of you. I feel like we could keep this relationship going. I’m just so terrified you’re going to go with John.”

STEAL: John – “I really heard the magic in your voice and I don’t have anyone on my team like you. It would be so much fun to work with you, pick the best songs to make the most of your immense talent and your super cool vibe. We would have so much fun. I would love to coach you.”

JAMES picks…to be continued!

In addition to those Battles, the following were not televised in their entirety:

TEAM KELLY and NORMANI

BRENNAN LASSITER (20) and GRACEE SHRIVER (16)

Battle track – “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban

Winner: GRACEE

TEAM KELLY and NORMANI

DAMALI (16) and BROOKE STEPHENSON (29)

Battle track – “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele

Winner: DAMALI

The Voice is working out that cliffhanger this season, huh? We’ll have James Violet’s picked when the Battle Rounds continue on October 22.