The Voice Recap: Two Contestants Exit Season 17 After Heartbreaking Elimination

Did your favorite singer get your vote?

Written by Tammy Ragusa
The Voice Recap: Two Contestants Exit Season 17 After Heartbreaking Elimination
THE VOICE -- "Live Top 10 Performances" Episode 1718A -- Pictured: Marybeth Byrd -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

An introduction was barely finished before host Carson Daly was bringing the Top 10 contestants on season 17 of NBC’s The Voice to start the evening’s task of eliminating two more aspiring young artists before next week’s semi-final round.

With coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani on pins and needles along with the singers, the process began with the first two names announced.

And moving to the semi-final round is:

WILL BREMAN from Team Legend

ROSE SHORT from Team Gwen

Before more cuts were made, Kelly and John took their place on a stage decorated with all of the festive elements of the season to deliver a fun live performance of their remake of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

Following the break, another name was announced for the semi-finals:

RICKY DURAN from Team Blake

Meghan Trainor and Mike Sabbath were the special guest artists for the evening. Performing “Wave” from her album, Treat Myself, the punctuated electro groove got the full steampunk production with backing dancers and precise choreography.

Unfortunately, it was time for more eliminations. The next two singers to move forward are:

KATIE KADAN from Team Legend

JAKE HOOT from Team Kelly

After another break, the next acts to automatically advance in the competition

HELLO SUNDAY from Team Kelly

KAT HAMMOCK from Team Blake

With that, the remaining three performers — Marybeth Byrd, Joana Martinez and Shane Q —  prepared for what would be the final performances for two.

SHANE Q from Team Kelly – “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack

BLAKE: “Your voice is so unique…just like last week, I’m surprised to see you here again and the competition keeps getting tighter and tighter. You’re incredible.”

KELLY: “I’m shocked as well, you just never know…this is just such a talented season, but you were a four-chair turn.”

JOANA MARTINEZ from Team Gwen – “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

BLAKE: “I think they keep coming back to me because they think I’m neutral, but that’s hard for me because you’re still Team Blake in my mind…it’s unbelievable how talented you are.”

GWEN: “Your personality is coming out and I just feel like America needs to vote so they can see more of Joana just grow.”

MARYBETH BYRD from Team Legend – “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott

JOHN: “I am so proud of you. You have been consistently excellent, consistently one of the best singers on this show…and I want America to reward that.”

While the network went to their commercial break, a graphic on the bottom of the television viewer’s screens projected the potential winner. Marybeth took an immediate and overwhelming lead.

After the graphic dropped out, the coaches got another chance to address the bottom three and it’s worth noting, as Kelly told the singers, you don’t have to win these shows in order to have a successful career. She reminded them that Jennifer Hudson failed to win her season of American Idol (she placed seventh), but has gone on to win Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes and a plethora of other awards.

With that, the announcement was made:

MARYBETH BYRD earned the Instant Save and would continue to the semi-finals.

Next week sees the Top 8 compete for a spot on the final round of competition, wrapping season 17 just before the holiday.