Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Blake Shelton poses with his final five contestants on The Voice, from left, Brooke Adee, Sarah Potenza, Meghan Linsey, Hannah Kirby and Corey Kent White. (NBC Photo)

The Voice goes live this week.

And voters will get a say in the outcome for the first time.

In fact, they’ll pick two members of each team to advance to the Season 8 finals. Then each coach will select one of his remaining three singers to advance as well.

Below is a look at how each singer got to the live playoffs, followed by my prediction on who will advance.

Follow the link attached to each singer’s name and you’ll find a bio blog, complete with pre-Voice videos.

And check back Monday and Tuesday for a live blog with song-by-song grades.

Brooke Adee: She’s an indie-alternative artist who says she was hooked on performing the minute her dad took her to see “Annie” when she was about 8 years old. Brooke, 16, of Tampa, Fla., sang “Skinny Love” by Birdy for her audition and turned two chairs. Blake called her a “future star” and she joined his team. In the battle round, she was matched against Bay Brooks. They sang Taylor Swift’s “Style.” Blake declared Brooke the winner; Bay was eliminated from the show. In the knockout round, she was pitted against fellow teen Kelsie May. Brooke performed “Electric Feel” and advanced again.

Corey Kent White: He’s a country singer who performed as lead vocalist for a group called “Oklahoma Stomp” starting at age 11 and was playing the college circuit pre-Voice. Corey , 20, of Bixby, Oakla., performed the Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” in the blind auditions. Pharrell and Blake turned around at the last second. Corey opted for the Oklahoma connection. In the battle round, he was matched with Jacob Rummell. They sang Hunter Hayes’ “I Want Crazy.” Blake declared Corey the winner; Jacob was stolen by Pharrell. In the knockout round, he was pitted against fellow country singer Cody Wickline, who turned four chairs in the blind audition. Corey sang “Live Like You Were Dying,” dedicating the song to his grandfather. He turned in an emotional performance and was declared the upset winner.

Hannah Kirby: She played her first gig at 12, began by singing country music, but now considers herself an alternative rock artist. Hannah, 20, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, sang “The Letter” in her blind audition, snagging the very last spot on Team Blake and the very last spot on Season 8. In the battle round, she was matched with Sarah Potenza. They turned in one of the best performances of the battles, singing “Gimme Shelter.” Blake declared Sarah the winner, but both Adam and Pharrell tried to steal Hannah. She decided to join Team Pharrell. In the knockout round, she was pitted against Caitlin Caporale. She sang “Higher Love,” but was on the verge of elimination again when Pharrell granted the win to Caitlin. This time, Hannah was stolen back by Blake.

Meghan Linsey: She was one half of the successful country duo Steel Magnolia and is now reaching for a second shot at music stardom, albeit in a more soulful musical direction. Meghan, 28, of Nashville, Tenn., auditioned with a country version of the Nazareth rock classic “Love Hurts.” The only coach who didn’t turn around was Blake Shelton, who she once toured with. She joined Team Pharrell. Blake corrected that misstep in the battle round, stealing Meghan after she lost her match against Paul Pfau; they sang “Don’t Let Me Down.” In the knockout round, she was matched against Travis Ewing, Blake’s other stolen contestant from the battle round. Meghan performed “Natural Woman,” turned in one of the most impressive vocals from the opening night of the knockouts and was declared the winner.

Sarah Potenza: Pre-Voice, she released a trio of albums with the country blues band, Sarah and the Tall Boys. She was working on a fourth, self-titled album when The Voice came along. Sarah, 34, of Nashville, Tenn., was the first contestant we met in Season 8 and auditioned with the classic rock hit, “Stay With Me,” turning all four chairs. : In the battle round, she was matched with Hannah Kirby. They turned in one of the best performances of the battles, singing “Gimme Shelter.” Blake declared Sarah the winner, but both Adam and Pharrell tried to steal Hannah. She decided to join Team Pharrell. In the knockout round, she was pitted against Brian Johnson. Sarah sang “Wasted Love,” the first single by Season 7 Voice runner-up Matt McAndrew. Blake declared Sarah the winner, but Brian advanced as well when he was stolen by Adam Levine.

Prediction: The Voice voters love country singers, and Corey Kent White is the only pure country singer remaining. He’ll make the finals. Sarah Potenza has consistently dazzled. She belongs in the finals. And Meghan Linsey has come on strong in the last two rounds. My prediction is that she’ll nab the third spot.