The Voice (American TV series) season 18 explained

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Host:Carson Daly
Num Contestants:40 artists
Winner:Todd Tilghman
Winner Coach:Blake Shelton
Runner Up:Toneisha Harris
Num Episodes:18
Network:NBC

The eighteenth season of the American reality television series The Voice ran from February 24 to May 19, 2020, on NBC. Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend returned as coaches for their eighteenth, fifth, and third season, respectively. Nick Jonas joined the panel for his first season as a new coach, replacing Gwen Stefani. Meanwhile, Carson Daly returned for his eighteenth season as host.[1]

This is the third season in The Voice since seasons season 1 and season 3 where the team sizes was not 12, as it was reduced to ten.[2] This is also the first season to have five artists compete in the finale, and the first time each coach would guarantee to have at least one artist representing in the finale since season two. For the first time since season 2, artists are not awarded any multiplier bonuses for streams or iTunes downloads due to the performances being recorded away from the studios (except for the finals) as a measure against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Todd Tilghman was named the winner of the season, marking Blake Shelton's seventh win as a coach, making him the oldest winner to date in the show's history – following Josh Kaufman in the 6th season. For the first time, the first artist in the Blind Auditions went on to win the entire season.

During the finale, Daly foregoes the announcement of third place but instead proceeding to announce Tilghman winning the season, without revealing the final placements for Thunderstorm Artis or Toneisha Harris. However, through The Voice Twitter page, Harris was revealed to finish as runner-up, making her currently the highest-placed African American female singer in Voice history.[3]

Coaches and hosts

In October 2019, it was announced that Nick Jonas would join the show as a coach for this season replacing Gwen Stefani who left the panel due to her Just a Girl Las Vegas Residency. This is his second appearance, as he was the Battle Advisor for the 8th season for Team Christina. Blake Shelton returned for his eighteenth season as a coach, John Legend for his third, and Kelly Clarkson for her fifth. This is the twelfth season to feature three male coaches on the panel.

This season's advisors for the Battles are: Dua Lipa for Team Kelly, Joe and Kevin Jonas (Jonas Brothers) for Team Nick, Ella Mai for Team Legend, and Bebe Rexha (who was the coach for 16th season's Comeback Stage) for Team Blake.

James Taylor served as a mega-mentor for all teams during the Knockouts.

Teams

Color key

CoachesTop 40 artists
Kelly Clarkson
Micah IversonMegan DanielleCedriceMandi Thomas
CammWessSamantha HowellAnaya CheyenneTayler Green
ChelleSara CollinsGigi HessJules
Nick Jonas
Thunderstorm ArtisAllegra MilesMichael WilliamsRoderick Chambers
Arei MoonTate BrusaJacob MillerJon Mullins
Joanna SerenkoAnders DrerupKevin FarrisSamuel Wilco
John Legend
CammWessZan FiskumMandi CastilloMike Jerel
Thunderstorm ArtisJoanna SerenkoNelson Cade IIIDarious Lyles
CammWessCedriceBrittney AllenZach Day
Blake Shelton
Todd TilghmanToneisha HarrisJoanna SerenkoJoei Fulco
CedriceTodd Michael HallCam SpinksLevi Watkins
Jon Mullins Kailey AbelJamal CorrieJacob Daniel Murphy

Blind auditions

style="background: white; border:1px solid black"
 ✔ Coach pressed "I WANT YOU" button
    Artist defaulted to a coach's team
    Artist elected a coach's team
  Artist was eliminated with no coach pressing their button
 ✘ Coach pressed "I WANT YOU" button, but was blocked by another coach from getting the artist
  • Blocked by Kelly
  • Blocked by Nick
  • Blocked by John
  • Blocked by Blake

Episode 1 (Feb. 24)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
KellyNickJohnBlake
1Todd Tilghman41Meridian, Mississippi"We've Got Tonight"
2Nelson Cade III27Anaheim, California"Pride & Joy"
3Tate Brusa16Salt Lake City, Utah"Perfect"
4Tayler Green27Los Angeles, California"Issues"
5Ashley Plath20Middletown, New Jersey"Baby, It's You"
6Darious Lyles30Chicago, Illinois"How Do You Sleep?"
7Megan Danielle17Douglasville, Georgia"Remedy"
8Chrissy Joly32Brooklyn, New York"Don't Let Me Down"
9Todd Michael Hall50Saginaw, Michigan"Jukebox Hero"
10Emily Bass16 Magnolia, Texas"Love Yourself"
11Joanna Serenko18St. Louis, Missouri"All My Loving"

Episode 2 (Feb. 25)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
KellyNickJohnBlake
1Arei Moon28Boston, Massachusetts"Miss Independent"
2Levi Watkins14Birmingham, Alabama"Hey, Soul Sister"
3Cassidy Lee22Jacksonville, Florida"Gold Dust Woman"
4Zach Day25Stearns, Kentucky"Weak"
5Chelle18Bargersville, Indiana"idontwannabeyouanymore"
6Toneisha Harris44Roswell, Georgia"I Want to Know What Love Is"

Episode 3 (March 2)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
KellyNickJohnBlake
1Allegra Miles16St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands"Use Somebody"
2CammWess21Blythewood, South Carolina"Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)"
3Joei Fulco22Lancaster, California"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"
4Sara Collins18Baton Rouge, Louisiana"Johnny & June"
5Clerida30Long Island, New York"Put Your Records On"
6Samantha Howell19Virginia Beach, Virginia"Take It on the Run"
7Jamal Corrie26San Francisco, California"Be Alright"
8Ruby G29Brooklyn, New York"Hard Place"
9Samuel Wilco39Fort Knox, Kentucky"Lately"
10Hawk McIntyre20Boone, Iowa"Lie to Me"
11Thunderstorm Artis23Haleiwa, Hawaii"Blackbird"

Episode 4 (March 9)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
KellyNickJohnBlake
1Anaya Cheyenne16Norwalk, CT / Atlanta, GA"I'll Never Love Again"
2Mandi Thomas33Memphis, Tennessee"Con Te Partirò"
3Ari Tibi27Calabasas, California"The Joke"
4Jacob Miller29Eden, Wisconsin"The Times They Are A-Changin'"
5Jon Mullins32Lynchburg, Virginia"Don't Give Up On Me"
6Jacob Daniel Murphy27Elk Grove, California"Until You Come Back To Me"
7Zan Fiskum22Seattle, Washington"Light On"
8Chan Fuze23Chicago, Illinois"Groove Me"
9Roderick Chambers38Miami, Florida"Back at One"
10Jules15Peoria, Arizona"Ain't No Rest For The Wicked"
11Jared Harper22San Francisco, California"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
12Michael Williams18Mason, Ohio"You Say"
13Mike Jerel31Ashburn, Georgia"It's A Man's Man's Man's World"

Episode 5 (March 16)

The Coaches performed "Jealous" at the start of the show.

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
KellyNickJohnBlake
1Micah Iverson26Tokyo, Japan"All I Want"
2Brittney Allen28Columbus, Georgia"Dancing on My Own"
3Tracey Preston35Philadelphia, Pennsylvania"Rock Steady"
4Cam Spinks29Alabaster, Alabama"Wave on Wave"
5Anders Drerup36Ottawa, Canada"Can't Help Falling in Love"
6Mandi Castillo23San Antonio, Texas"Así Fue"
7Kailey Abel19Verdigris, Oklahoma"Forever Young"
8Tyrone Perkins68Marina del Rey, California"Stormy Monday"rowspan="5"
9Gigi Hess22Lovington, New Mexico"Lovesong"
10Kevin Farris33Arlington Heights, Illinois"Home"
11Allison Grace25Fort Smith, Arkansas"Don't Know Why"
12Cedrice28San Diego, California"Fever"

Battles

The battles started on March 23. The advisors for this round were Dua Lipa for Team Kelly, Joe and Kevin Jonas for Team Nick, Ella Mai for Team Legend, and Bebe Rexha for Team Blake.[4] The coaches can steal one losing artist from other coaches and save one losing artist on their team. However, the team coach may only hit their button to save an artist after it is clear that no other coach is going to steal the artist.[5] [6] Artists who win their battle or are stolen by another coach advance to the knockouts.

Battles color key
     Artist won the battle and advanced to the knockouts
     Artist lost the battle but was stolen by another coach and advanced to the knockouts
     Artist lost the battle but was saved by their coach and advanced to the four-way knockout
     Artist lost the battle and was eliminated
Battles results
EpisodeCoachOrderWinnerSongLoser'Steal'/'Save' result
KellyNickJohnBlake
Episode 6
Blake1Joei Fulco"The Best"Todd Michael Hall
Kelly2Anaya Cheyenne"Scared to Be Lonely"Chelle
Nick3Roderick Chambers"When the Party's Over"Joanna Serenko
John4Mike Jerel"Adorn"Zach Day
Blake5Levi Watkins"Counting Stars"Jamal Corrie
Nick6Allegra Miles"How Will I Know"Michael Williams
Episode 7
Blake1Toneisha Harris"Good as Hell"Jacob Daniel Murphy
Kelly2Micah Iverson"Someone You Loved"Gigi Hess
John3Mandi Castillo"Señorita"CammWess
Blake4Cam Spinks"What Ifs"Kailey Abel
Nick5Tate Brusa"Circles"Anders Drerup
John6Darious Lyles"Come Together"Nelson Cade III
Episode 8
Nick1Arei Moon"Missing You"Samuel Wilco
Kelly2Megan Danielle"Top of the World"Samantha Howell
Blake3Todd Tilghman"Ghost in This House"Jon Mullins
John4Zan Fiskum"Closer to Fine"Brittney Allen
Kelly5Mandi Thomas"My Baby Loves Me"Sara Collins
6Tayler Green"Water Under the Bridge"Jules
Nick7Jacob Miller"Lights Up"Kevin Farris
John8Thunderstorm Artis"Stay"Cedrice

Knockouts

In the knockouts, each coach can steal one losing artist from another team. Artists who win their knockout or are stolen by another coach advance to the live playoffs. James Taylor served as a mega mentor for all teams in this round.

New this season, each saved artist from the battles will go head-to-head in the first-ever four-way knockout. Results for the four-way knockout are decided by a public vote, with the winner announced during the first week of live shows.

Knockouts color key
     Artist won the Knockout and advanced to the live playoffs
     Artist lost the knockout but was stolen by another coach and advanced to the live playoffs
     Artist lost the knockout and was eliminated
Knockouts results
EpisodeCoachOrderSongArtistsSong'Steal' result
WinnerLoserKellyNickJohnBlake
Episode 9
Blake1"When Will I Be Loved"Joei FulcoLevi Watkins"I Ain't Living Long Like This"
Kelly2"Piece by Piece"Megan DanielleCammWess"Say Something"
John3"Versace on the Floor"Mike JerelDarious Lyles"Me and Mrs. Jones"
Nick4"Redbone"Roderick ChambersTate Brusa"The Scientist"
Blake5"Anymore"Todd TilghmanCam Spinks"Rumor"
John6"The Story"Zan FiskumJoanna Serenko"Angel from Montgomery"
Episode 10
John1"Stand by Me"Mandi CastilloThunderstorm Artis"Preach" rowspan="6"
Nick2"You Don't Know My Name"Arei MoonJon Mullins"Thinking Out Loud" rowspan="5"
Kelly3"Graveyard"Micah IversonTayler Green"Time After Time"
Nick4"Chandelier"Allegra MilesJacob Miller"Better Now"
Kelly5"My Church"Mandi ThomasAnaya Cheyenne"Praying"
Blake6"Diamonds"Toneisha HarrisCedrice"Love on the Brain"
Four-way knockout7"You Are The Reason"Michael WilliamsTodd Michael Hall"Somebody to Love"colspan="4" rowspan="3 "
Nelson Cade III"Best Part"
Samantha Howell"Always on My Mind"
Episode 11
The eleventh episode was a special episode titled "Road to the Live Shows." The episode showed the best moments of the season from the blind auditions to next week's live playoffs, and some unseen footage.

Live remote shows

This season, the number of weeks of live shows was reduced to three, consisting of the playoffs, semi-final, and the finale.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, the live shows were changed to remote shows with performances aired pre-recorded performances at the contestants' and coaches' homes.[7] The instant save is done via The Voice Official App in the playoffs and semi-final, continuing the shift from Twitter to the official app that took place in season 17.

Additionally, the artists did not have studio versions of their covers released on iTunes or Apple Music, meaning that for the first time since the introduction in season 3, there were no streaming votes or bonuses awarded. However, the finalists did have studio versions of their original song and coach duet from the finale released, although they did not contribute to the artists' vote tally.

Live shows color key:
     Artist was saved by the public's vote
     Artist was saved by their coach
     Artist competed in the "Wild card" instant save
     Artist was placed in the bottom group and competed for an instant save
     Artist was instantly saved
     Artist was eliminated

Week 1: Playoffs (May 4–5)

The live playoffs round constituted episodes 12 and 13. For the first time there is a Top 17. On Monday, James Taylor opened the show with a performance with the remaining knockouts artists, followed by the announcement of the four-way knockout's winner. The winner joined the Top 17, who all performed live from their homes using a production kit sent to them. Coaches mentored and gave feedback from their homes: Kelly from Montana, Blake from Oklahoma, and both John and Nick from Los Angeles.[8]

On Tuesday's live episode, one artist from each team advanced based on the country's vote, and each coach got to save one of their own artists. The remaining artists from each team with the highest votes will have a chance to compete for the wild card as seen on season 17. These nine artists advanced to the semi-final.

Episode! style="width:10%"
CoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 12
Nick Jonas1Thunderstorm Artis"Summertime"Public's vote
2Allegra Miles"New York State of Mind"Nick's choice
3Arei Moon"Finesse"Eliminated
4Roderick Chambers"Lost Without U"Eliminated
5Michael Williams"Sign of the Times"Wild card
John Legend6Zan Fiskum"Blowin' in the Wind"John's choice
7Mike Jerel"All My Life"Eliminated
8Mandi Castillo"¡Corre!"Wild card
9CammWess"Ain't No Sunshine"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson10Megan Danielle"Anyone"Kelly's choice
11Mandi Thomas"I Hope You Dance"Eliminated
12Micah Iverson"Your Song"Public's vote
13Cedrice"Everything I Wanted"Wild card
Blake Shelton14Toneisha Harris"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"Blake's choice
15Joei Fulco"Runaway"Eliminated
16Joanna Serenko"Rich Girl"Wild card
17Todd Tilghman"Glory of Love"Public's vote
Episode 13
Blake Shelton1Joanna Serenko"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"Wild card winner
John Legend2Mandi Castillo"True Colors"Eliminated
Kelly Clarkson3Cedrice"Breathin"Eliminated
Nick Jonas4Michael Williams"To Love Somebody" Eliminated
Non-competition performances ! Order! Performers! Song
12.1 James Taylor and the Top 20"Shower the People"

Week 2: Semi-final (May 11–12)

The semi-final comprised episodes 14 and 15. On Monday, the Top 9 artists performed to the theme of "Dedication Week" with the public vote results being announced on Tuesday. Four artists are eliminated in a new elimination format: one artist from a team with a higher vote will immediately advance to the Top 5, leaving the remaining five artists to compete for the final spot in the finale via instant save.[9]

With the advancement of Thunderstorm Artis to the finale, Nick Jonas became the fifth new coach to successfully coach an artist on his team to the finale on his first attempt as a coach, after Usher (Michelle Chamuel in season 4), Alicia Keys (Wé McDonald in season 11), Kelly Clarkson (Brynn Cartelli in season 14), and John Legend (Maelyn Jarmon in season 16).

Episode! style="width:10%"
CoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 14
Blake Shelton1Joanna Serenko"Lean On Me"Not selected
Kelly Clarkson2Micah Iverson"I Will Follow You Into the Dark"Public's vote
Blake Shelton3Todd Tilghman"Love, Me"Public's vote
John Legend4Zan Fiskum"Never Be the Same"Not selected
Nick Jonas5Thunderstorm Artis"Home"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson6Megan Danielle"What Hurts the Most"Not selected
Nick Jonas7Allegra Miles"Overjoyed"Not selected
Blake Shelton8Toneisha Harris"Because You Loved Me"Not selected
John Legend9CammWess"Rainbow"Public's vote
Episode 15
Kelly Clarkson1Megan Danielle"Simple Man"Eliminated
Nick Jonas2Allegra Miles"In My Blood"Eliminated
John Legend3Zan Fiskum"Always Remember Us This Way"Eliminated
Blake Shelton4Joanna Serenko"Unaware"Eliminated
5Toneisha Harris"Lovin' You"Instantly saved
Non-competition performances ! Order! Performer(s)! Song
15.1Top 9 with coaches"Everyday People"
15.2Kane Brown"Cool Again"
15.3Doja Cat"Say So"
15.4James Taylor and Henry Taylor"Moon River"

Week 3: Finale (May 18–19)

The finale comprised episodes 16 to 18. The final 5 performed on episode 16, with the final results following on episode 18; meanwhile, episode 17 was a cutdown show. On Monday, each artist performed an original song and a cover, and then performed a duet with their respective coach on Tuesday.

For the first time this season, artists had studio versions of their performances released on iTunes and Apple Music, with each artist's original song and coach duet being released. However, unlike previous seasons, a purchase or stream of these performances did not factor into voting. Todd Tilghman from Team Blake became the first and the only vocalist of the season to reach top 10 on iTunes. His original song's studio recording hit #1 on iTunes Overall Chart and iTunes Country Chart.

With both Tilghman and Harris finishing in top two, this marked the second time in which Shelton's artists have finished in the top two since season 3 (Cassadee Pope and Terry McDermott).[10]

CoachArtistEpisode 16 Episode 18 Result
OrderSolo SongOrderOriginal SongOrderDuet (with Coach)
John LegendCammWess1"Purple Rain"7"Save It For Tomorrow"13"Rocket Man"Fourth place
Blake SheltonTodd Tilghman2"I Can Only Imagine"6"Long Way Home"11"Authority Song"Winner
Kelly ClarksonMicah Iverson8"Chasing Cars"3"Butterflies"15"I Run to You"Fifth place
Nick JonasThunderstorm Artis10"What a Wonderful World"4"Sedona"12"You'll Be in My Heart"Third place
Blake SheltonToneisha Harris5"Faithfully"9"My Superhero"14"Don't Stop"Runner-up
Non-competition performances ! Order! Performer(s)! Song(s)
16.1Top 5 finalists"Shine"
18.1CeeLo Green, Shakira, Bebe Rexha, coaches, and the Top 9"Let My Love Open the Door"
18.2Jonas Brothers ft. Karol G"X"
18.3John Legend"Conversations in the Dark" / "All of Me"
18.4Lady Antebellum"Champagne Night"
18.5Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani"Nobody but You"
18.6Kelly Clarkson"I Dare You"
18.7Kevin Farris, Lauren Duski, Jacob Maxwell, Alexa Cappelli, Jake Hoot, Mike Jerel, Ricky Duran, and Britton Buchanan"What the World Needs Now Is Love"
18.8Nick Jonas"Until We Meet Again"
18.9Bon Jovi"Limitless"

Elimination chart

Color key

Artist's info
Result details

Overall

Live remote shows results per week
ArtistWeek 1 PlayoffsWeek 2 Semi-finalWeek 3 Finale
Todd TilghmanSafeSafeWinner
Toneisha HarrisSafeSafeRunner-up
Thunderstorm ArtisSafeSafeThird place
CammWessSafeSafeFourth place
Micah IversonSafeSafeFifth place
Allegra MilesSafeEliminatedEliminated (Week 2)
Joanna SerenkoSafeEliminated
Megan DanielleSafeEliminated
Zan FiskumSafeEliminated
CedriceEliminatedEliminated (Week 1)
Mandi CastilloEliminated
Michael WilliamsEliminated
Arei MoonEliminated
Joei FulcoEliminated
Mandi ThomasEliminated
Mike JerelEliminated
Roderick ChambersEliminated

Teams

Live remote shows results per team
ArtistWeek 1 PlayoffsWeek 2 Semi-finalWeek 3 Finale
Micah IversonPublic's voteAdvancedFifth place
Megan DanielleCoach's choiceEliminated
CedriceEliminated
Mandi ThomasEliminated
Thunderstorm ArtisPublic's voteAdvancedThird place
Allegra MilesCoach's choiceEliminated
Arei MoonEliminated
Michael WilliamsEliminated
Roderick ChambersEliminated
CammWessPublic's voteAdvancedFourth place
Zan FiskumCoach's choiceEliminated
Mandi CastilloEliminated
Mike JerelEliminated
Todd TilghmanPublic's voteAdvancedWinner
Toneisha HarrisCoach's choiceAdvancedRunner-up
Joanna SerenkoPublic's vote Eliminated
Joei FulcoEliminated

Artists who appeared on other shows or in previous seasons

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nick Jonas Joins 'The Voice' as Season 18 Coach. 8 October 2019.
  2. Web site: How many artists does each 'The Voice' coach still need to complete their Season 18 teams?. Dixon. Marcus James. 2020-03-03. GoldDerby. en-US. 2020-03-03.
  3. Web site: Congratulations to powerhouse @toneishaharris who placed 2nd on this season of #TheVoice! pic.twitter.com/Vokq3XvH96. Voice. The. 2020-05-21. @NBCTheVoice. en. 2020-05-21.
  4. See Who's Joining 'The Voice' as a Battle Advisor This Season. Billboard. 23 January 2020. 2020-02-14.
  5. Web site: The Voice - NBC.com. NBC. en-US. 2020-03-03.
  6. Web site: What You Need to Know About The Voice Season 18, Including Why the Stakes Are 'Higher Than Ever'. Cohn. Paulette. 2020-02-13. Parade. en. 2020-02-14.
  7. Web site: NBC MEDIA ALERT: 'THE VOICE' TO BROADCAST FIRST-EVER REMOTE LIVE SHOWS WITH CARSON DALY HOSTING FROM STAGE BEGINNING THE WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 4 NBCUniversal Media Village. www.nbcumv.com. 2020-05-19. June 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200621092253/https://www.nbcumv.com/news/nbc-media-alert-%E2%80%98-voice%E2%80%99-broadcast-first-ever-remote-live-shows-carson-daly-hosting-stage?division=1&network=33129&show=151062. dead.
  8. Web site: 'The Voice' Sets Remote Live Shows Amid Coronavirus Pandemic. Otterson. Joe. 2020-04-30. Variety. en. 2020-05-01.
  9. Web site: The Voice 18: Semi-final Format Change Plus Kane Brown, James Taylor. 7 May 2020.
  10. Web site: Sheehan. Paul. 'The Voice' Top 5 results: Todd Tilghman leads Apple Music sales and will win season 18. Idol Chatter . May 19, 2020.