Jershika Maple performs for the save Tuesday night on The Voice. (NBC Photo)
Because what appeared a certainty a week ago might not happen.
Just last Tuesday, Jim and Sasha Allen of Team Ariana had to sing for a save following a string of mediocre performances.
They got that save, advancing to the Top 10, then redeemed themselves with a performance of Rihanna’s “Stay” that was the second most popular song of the night on the Apple Music charts.
Meanwhile, Team Legend’s Jershika Maple looked like a sure semifinalist following an impressive run of emotional performances.
She went more upbeat for Monday’s genre challenge, singing “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore. It was one of just two songs from the show that failed to crack the Apple Music Top 200 on a genre chart.
So, might Jim and Sasha be safe tonight a week after being on the verge of elimination? Could Jershika Maple be in danger of elimination?
It sets the stage for the most uncertain elimination night yet.
I expect Season 21 frontrunners Girl Named Tom to be safe. I expect the Team Blake trio of Paris Winningham, Lana Scott and Wendy Moten to be safe. Paris and Lana were sensational Monday night.
Everyone else should be pretty nervous heading into tonight’s double elimination show.
Remember, the top seven vote-getters move on to next week’s semifinal. The bottom three sing for a save.
See also …
Song by song grades for the Top 10
See where the Top 10 landed on Apple Music
Advancing to the semifinals:
* Paris Winningham (Team Blake): Well deserved. He was excellent again last night.
* Jim and Sasha Allen (Team Ariana): Not nearly as well deserved. They were fine last night, but it followed four straight live performances that were mediocre at best and someone who has done better is going home tonight because they’re staying in the competition.
* Girl Named Tom (Team Kelly): Hooray, but it’s not a surprise. Not only did they top all Voice contestants on the charts again, but studio versions of their last two performances also retuned to the Apple Music Top 200 after Monday’s show.
* Wendy Moten (Team Blake): She was another sure bet to make the semis. She still needs to convince me she should be in the finals.
* Joshua Vacanti (Team Legend): I didn’t care for his last two performances, but he’s semifinals bound. Again, he’ll need to convince me he deserves to be a finalist.
* Lana Scott (Team Blake): So, we’re through three weeks of the lives an all three Team Blake singers are still in the competition. Know what, based on last night, they deserve to be.
* Hailey Mia (Team Kelly): Once again, Voice fans are rallying behind a very young singer who’s shown tons of potential.
that leaves Jeremy Rosada, Jershika Maple and Holly Forbes to sing for the save. Based on performances to date, I’d give a big edge to Jershika.
Jeremy Rosado, “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts: Jeremy went country with for Monday night’s genre challenge and is doubling down tonight. He’s performing with the emotion we always expect from the former American Idol standout. Unfortunately, he’s also running into all sorts of pitch problems. Nerves or whatever, the opening was very shaky. Grade: C+
Holly Forbe, “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson: If yuu told me a week ago that Jim and Sasha would breeze into the semis and Holly would be on the verge of elimination, I’d have called you silly. But here we are. Hmm, Holly decides to sing a song by her former coach. Her opening is fine. But the performance definitely got into the shouty territory before it ended. It didn’t scream: Save me! Grade: B–
Jershika Maple, “What Is Love” by the Empire Cast and V. Bozeman: Oh, my, that deep, rich voice. What a great opening. Oh, my, the huge glory note. Look, flat out, I think Jershika has been the most impressive female solo vocalist in Season 21. And she just slayed that save me performance. No way she doesn’t deserve the save. It shouldn’t even be closed. Grade: A–
And the final spot in the semifinals goes to Jershika Maple.
That means the elimination of Jeremy Rosado of Team Kelly and Holly Forbes of Team Ariana.
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