The Voice (American TV series) season 15 explained

Bg Colour:
  1. FF7900
Image Upright:1.13
Module1:
Host:Carson Daly
Num Contestants:54 artists
Winner:Chevel Shepherd
Winner Coach:Kelly Clarkson
Runner Up:Chris Kroeze
Num Episodes:26
Network:NBC

The fifteenth season of the American reality television show, The Voice premiered on September 24, 2018, on NBC.[1] Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Blake Shelton returned as coaches (fifteenth, second, and fifteenth seasons respectively) from the previous season. Jennifer Hudson, who last coached in season 13, returned for her second season replacing Alicia Keys. For the first time in its history, the show featured a fifth coach, Kelsea Ballerini, who selected contestants to participate in The Comeback Stage.[2]

While the Block made a return from the last season, this season introduced "The Comeback Stage", a digital companion series where six artists eliminated from the Blind Auditions coached by Kelsea Ballerini pitted in a series of Battles for a place in the Top 13.

Chevel Shepherd was named winner of this season, marking Kelly Clarkson's second win as a coach, and making her the first female coach to win multiple seasons (and the third overall coach, after Shelton and Levine). Clarkson also became the second coach in the show's history to win multiple consecutive seasons of The Voice, after Shelton who won from seasons two to four of the show.

Coaches and Hosts

On May 11, 2018, Kelly Clarkson confirmed she would return alongside coach veterans, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton with Jennifer Hudson who returns after a one-season hiatus. Carson Daly returned for his fifteenth season as host. It was announced on September 10 that Kelsea Ballerini would become a fifth coach, mentoring unsuccessful auditioners on an online version in a new round called The Comeback Stage.[3]

This season's advisors for the Battle Rounds were CeeLo Green for Team Adam, Thomas Rhett for Team Kelly, Halsey for Team Jennifer, and Keith Urban for Team Blake.[4] Mariah Carey was assigned as a mentor for all teams during the knockouts.

Teams

Color key

CoachesTop 54 artists
Adam Levine
Reagan StrangeDeAndre NicoTyke JamesKameron MarloweSteve MemmoloRADHA
Keith PalusoDelaney SilvernellJake WellsFunshoAnthony AryaNatalie Brady
FousheéEmily HoughJarred Matthew
Kelly Clarkson
Chevel ShepherdSarah GraceKymberli JoyeLynnea MoorerAbby CatesKeith Paluso
ZaxaiNatasia GreyCloudClaire DeJeanCody Ray RaymondDelaney SilvernellSandyRedd
Josh DavisErika ZadeMikele BuckOneUp
Jennifer Hudson
Kennedy HolmesMaKenzie ThomasSandyReddPatrique FortsonColton SmithFranc West
Anthony AryaTyshawn ColquittMike ParkerZaxaiNatasia GreyCloudColton Smith
LelaAudri BartholomewMatt Johnson
Blake Shelton
Chris KroezeKirk JayDave FenleyFunshoNatasia GreyCloudMichael Lee
Colton SmithKameron MarloweKatrina CainKeith PalusoCaeland GarnerKayley Hill
Rachel MesserMercedes Joey Green
Kelsea Ballerini
Lynnea MoorerAyanna JoniWyatt RiversEle IvorySam RobbinsMadison Cain
.

Blind auditions

Color key
  Coach pressed "I WANT YOU" button--->
    Artist defaulted to a coach's team
    Artist selected a coach's team
    Artist was eliminated and was not invited back for "The Comeback Stage"
    Artist was eliminated, but got a second chance to compete in "The Comeback Stage"
  Coach pressed "I WANT YOU" button, but was blocked by another coach from getting the artist
  • Blocked by Adam
  • Blocked by Kelly
  • Blocked by JHud
  • Blocked by Blake

Episode 1 (Sept. 24)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Sarah Grace15Houston, Texas"Ball and Chain"
2Tyshawn Colquitt23Cincinnati, Ohio"Like I Can"
3Tyke James17Laie, Hawaii"Perfect"
4Ayanna Joni29Yonkers, New York"Sorry Not Sorry"
5Mercedes Ferreira-Dias17Miami, Florida"She Used to Be Mine"
6RADHA19Jersey City, New Jersey"Mamma Knows Best"
7Kameron Marlowe21Kannapolis, North Carolina"One Number Away"
8Mikele Buck39Big Chimney, West Virginia"She Used to Be Mine"
9Sam Hastings23Portland, Maine"Angela"
10Patrique Fortson38Atlanta, Georgia"Get Here"
11Kennedy Holmes13St. Louis, Missouri"Turning Tables"

Episode 2 (Sept. 25)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Keith Paluso30Memphis, Tennessee"Way Down We Go"
2Claire DeJean17Dallas, Texas"Hurt Somebody"
3Franc West38Cleveland, Ohio"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
4Michael Lee30Fort Worth, Texas"The Thrill Is Gone"
5Ele Ivory20Nashville, Tennessee"Jump"
6DeAndre Nico22Port Arthur, Texas"When I Was Your Man"

Episode 3 (Oct. 1)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Dave Fenley39Nashville, Tennessee"Help Me Hold On"
2Steve Memmolo35Boston, Massachusetts"Spooky"
3Audri Bartholomew19St. Louis, Missouri"Never Enough"
4Rachel Messer19Fort Gay, West Virginia"I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart"
5Brent Morgan30Madison, Alabama"Feel It Still"
6Chevel Shepherd16Farmington, New Mexico"If I Die Young"
7Bryan Cherry28Woodbridge, Virginia"Nothing Can Change This Love"
8Delaney Silvernell21Los Angeles, California"In My Blood"
9Anthony Arya15Santa Cruz, California"Danny's Song"
10Natasia GreyCloud29Nashville, Tennessee"I'm Not the Only One"
11Lynnea Moorer18Monterey, California"Location"
12Kymberli Joye26Windsor, Connecticut"Run to You"

Episode 4 (Oct. 2)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Reagan Strange13Memphis, Tennessee"Meant to Be"
2Fousheé29Harlem, New York"Redbone"
3Wyatt Rivers22Durham, North Carolina"River"
4Chris Kroeze27Barron, Wisconsin"Pride and Joy"
5MaKenzie Thomas20Wallingford, Kentucky"Big White Room"
6SandyRedd35Chicago, Illinois"River"

Episode 5 (Oct. 8)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1OneUp
(Adam Bastien & Jerome Bell)
35–36New York City, New York"Could It Be I'm Falling In Love"
2Natalie Brady33Nashville, Tennessee"Barracuda"
3Hannah Blaylock31Nimmons, Arkansas"Baby, Now That I've Found You"
4Mike Parker23Warrenton, Virginia"So Sick"
5Joey Green35Crowley, Texas"Baba O'Riley"
6Zaxai29Brooklyn, New York"Come and Get Your Love"
7Erika Zade20Miami, Florida"New Rules"
8Jarred Matthew31Riverside, California"Tired of Being Alone"
9Sam Robbins21Portsmouth, New Hampshire"Time in a Bottle"
10Colton Smith21Albertville, Alabama"Alive"
11Kayley Hill28Nashville, Tennessee"Gold Dust Woman"
12Kirk Jay22Bay Minette, Alabama"Bless the Broken Road"

Episode 6 (Oct. 9)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Caeland Garner31Coleridge, North Carolina"Dancing in the Moonlight"
2Madison Cain24Sausalito, California"You Oughta Know"
3Lela15Miami, Florida"Havana"
4Cody Ray Raymond27Seattle, Washington"Born Under a Bad Sign"
5Jake Wells23Kansas City, Missouri"When the Stars Go Blue"
6Abby Cates17Cincinnati, Ohio"Scars to Your Beautiful"
7Funsho29Lagos, Nigeria / Los Angeles, California"Finesse"

Episode 7 (Oct. 15)

OrderArtistAgeHometownSongCoach's and artist's choices
AdamKellyJHudBlake
1Emily Hough16Petersburg, Illinois"Big Yellow Taxi"
2Josh Davis20Cleveland, Tennessee"Too Good At Goodbyes"
3Lisa Ramey33New York City, New York"Beautiful Trauma"
4Katrina Cain29Denton, Texas"Rhiannon"
5Matt Johnson26Staunton, Virginia"Never Too Much"rowspan="1"

The Battles

The second half of the Battle Rounds started on October 15.[5] Season fifteen's advisors include: CeeLo Green for Team Adam, Thomas Rhett for Team Kelly, Halsey for Team Jennifer, and Keith Urban for Team Blake.[4] The coaches can steal two losing artists from other coaches. Contestants who win their battle or are stolen by another coach will advance to the Knockout rounds.

During a commercial break before the Battles Part 1's last pairing, four coaches give the waiting audience an impromptu performance with an acapella version of The Golden Girls theme song - "Thank You for Being a Friend".[6]

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 and was eliminated
EpisodeCoachOrderWinnerSongLoser'Steal' result
AdamKellyJHudBlake
Episode 7
Kelly Clarkson1Cody Ray Raymond"Cry to Me"SandyRedd
Blake Shelton2Michael Lee"Thing Called Love"bgcolor=pinkJoey Green
Jennifer Hudson3Patrique Fortson"God Gave Me You"Colton Smith
Episode 8
Kelly Clarkson1Kymberli Joye"Mercy"bgcolor=pinkOneUp
Adam Levine2Steve Memmolo"Amie"Anthony Arya
3Tyke James"She's Always a Woman"bgcolor=pinkJarred Matthew
Blake Shelton4Chris Kroeze"Back in the High Life Again"bgcolor=pinkMercedes Ferreira-Dias
5Katrina Cain"Angel"bgcolor=pinkRachel Messer
Jennifer Hudson6Mike Parker"Gravity"Natasia GreyCloud
Episode 9
Blake Shelton1Dave Fenley"I'm a One-Woman Man"Keith Paluso
Adam Levine2Reagan Strange"Photograph"bgcolor=pinkEmily Hough
Jennifer Hudson3Franc West"Too Close"bgcolor=pinkMatt Johnson
Kelly Clarkson4Abby Cates"Love Me like You Do"Delaney Silvernell
Adam Levine5RADHA"Growing Pains"bgcolor=pinkFousheé
Kelly Clarkson6Chevel Shepherd"You Look So Good in Love"bgcolor=pinkMikele Buck
Jennifer Hudson7MaKenzie Thomas"Always Be My Baby"bgcolor=pinkAudri Bartholomew
Adam Levine8Jake Wells"Closing Time"bgcolor=pinkNatalie Brady
Jennifer Hudson9Tyshawn Colquitt"Love Lies"Zaxai
Episode 10
Kelly Clarkson1Sarah Grace"No Roots"bgcolor=pinkErika Zade
Blake Shelton2Kameron Marlowe"Only Wanna Be With You"bgcolor=pinkKayley Hill
Kelly Clarkson3Claire DeJean"All This Love"bgcolor=pinkJosh Davis
Blake Shelton4Kirk Jay"Let It Rain"bgcolor=pinkCaeland Garner
Jennifer Hudson5Kennedy Holmes"Battlefield"bgcolor=pinkLela
Adam Levine6DeAndre Nico"Can You Stand the Rain"Funsho

The Knockouts

The Knockouts round started on October 29.[7] The coaches can each steal one losing artist from another team and save one artist who lost their Knockout on their own team. The top 24 contestants then moved on to the Live Playoffs. Mariah Carey served as the advisor to contestants from all teams in this round.[8] Cody Ray Raymond from Team Kelly dropped out from the competition for personal reasons;[9] Clarkson grouped three of her members into one knockout, with two contestants from the trio advancing, with the third being declared the loser, just like on the eighth season. This episode on October 30 is in memory of a finalist of season 1, Beverly McClellan who died on stage 3c endometrial cancer.

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 but was saved by their coach and advanced to the Live Playoffs
      Artist lost the Knockout and was eliminated
EpisodesCoachOrderSongArtistsSong'Steal'/'Save' result
Winner(s)LoserAdamKellyJHudBlake
Episode 11
Adam Levine1"Ring of Fire"Tyke JamesKeith Paluso"You Are the Best Thing"
Kelly Clarkson2"The Middle"Kymberli JoyeNatasia GreyCloud"Tennessee Whiskey"
"Cruisin'"Zaxai
Jennifer Hudson3"How Deep Is Your Love"MaKenzie ThomasMike Parker"Breakeven"rowspan="2"
Adam Levine4"Dancing On My Own"Reagan StrangeRADHA"I'll Be There"
Blake Shelton5"Earned It"FunshoKatrina Cain"Don't Let Me Down"
Jennifer Hudson6"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"Patrique FortsonSandyRedd"Dangerous Woman"rowspan="1"
Episode 12
Jennifer Hudson1"Call Out My Name"Franc WestTyshawn Colquitt"Pillowtalk"rowspan="2"
Kelly Clarkson2"Because of You"Abby CatesClaire DeJean"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"
Blake Shelton3"Stuck on You"Dave FenleyKameron Marlowe"I Shot the Sheriff"
Episode 13
Kelly Clarkson1"Travelin' Soldier"Chevel ShepherdSarah Grace"I'd Rather Go Blind"rowspan="3"
Adam Levine2"Wanted"DeAndre NicoJake Wells"Yellow"
Jennifer Hudson3"What About Us"Kennedy HolmesAnthony Arya"Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)"rowspan="1"
Blake Shelton4"In Case You Didn't Know"Kirk JayColton Smith"Lady Marmalade"
Adam Levine5"Unaware"Steve MemmoloDelaney Silvernell"Praying"rowspan="1"
Blake Shelton6"Whipping Post"Michael LeeChris Kroeze"Burning House"
Episode 14
The fourteenth episode was a special episode titled "The Road to the Live Shows." The episode showed the best moments of the season so far, including the blind auditions, the journey of the top 24 contestants, and some unseen footage.

The Comeback Stage

For this season, the show added a brand new phase of competition called The Comeback Stage, exclusive to The Voice mobile app, The Voice YouTube channel, Instagram TV, Facebook, Twitter, and NBC.com.[10] After failing to turn a chair in the blind auditions, artists had the chance to be selected by fifth coach Kelsea Ballerini to become a member of her six-person team. The Comeback Stage consists of three rounds. In the first, it is the Battle round. Artists would be paired up and given a solo song to perform for Kelsea's favor (similar to the Knockouts). In the second, it is the Comeback's Knockout round. The three remaining artists would be given another song to sing, with two of them advancing to the final stage. The third and final stage is run in conjunction with the Live Playoffs. The two remaining artists perform live for America's votes in the first Twitter Instant Save of the season, with the winner officially joining one of the four main teams of their choosing as a part of the Top 13.

The Battles

      Artist won the Battle and advanced to the Knockouts
      Artist lost the Battle and was eliminated
Episode (Digital)CoachSongArtistsSong
WinnerLoser
Episode 7
Kelsea Ballerini"Dangerous Woman"Ayanna JoniMadison Cain"Yoü and I"
Episode 9
"One Call Away"Wyatt RiversSam Robbins"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
Episode 11
"My My My!"Lynnea MoorerEle Ivory"Back to You"

The Knockouts

      Artists won the Knockout and advanced for a chance to enter the Top 13
      Artist lost the Knockout and was eliminated
Episode (Digital)CoachSongArtistsSong
WinnersLoser
Episode 13
Kelsea Ballerini"In My Blood"Lynnea MoorerWyatt Rivers"How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You"
"I Put a Spell on You"Ayanna Joni

Live Playoffs

      Artist received majority of America's votes and got a spot into the Top 13
      Artist was eliminated

Live shows

Color key:

      Artist was saved by the Public's votes
      Artist was saved by his/her coach or was placed in the bottom two, bottom three, or middle three
      Artist won the Comeback Stage and joined another team
      Artist was saved by the Instant Save
      Artist's Apple Music vote multiplied by 5 (except The Finals) after his/her studio version of the song had the most streams of the night
      Artist was eliminated

Week 1: Live Playoffs (Nov. 12 & 13)

The Live Playoffs comprised episodes 15 and 16. The 24 artists perform, with two artists from each team advancing based on the viewers' vote, and each coach completing their respective teams with their own choice. The Monday night broadcast featured all teams and the Tuesday night broadcast featured the results, along with the final Comeback Stage matchup.

Ballerini was added as the fifth coach and has coached six artists who did not turn a chair in the Blind Auditions to help them get a second chance to return to the competition for the live shows. They had their own battles and knockouts, and only two, Ayanna Joni and Lynnea Moorer, competed via America's vote (similar to the Instant Save) for a place in the Top 13. Moorer was revealed the winner of "The Comeback Stage", and joined Team Kelly on the Top 13.

With the elimination of Kameron Marlowe, this marked the first time since the 7th season that Levine did not include the artist that he stole in the Knockouts in his top three, as Brian Johnson, Amy Vachal, Shalyah Fearing, Josh Gallagher, Lilli Passero, Adam Cunningham, and Sharane Calister were all either chosen by him or voted into his top three by the public in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th seasons, respectively.

EpisodeCoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 15
Blake Shelton1Michael Lee"Everytime I Roll the Dice"Eliminated
2Dave Fenley"Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground"Blake's choice
3Natasia GreyCloud"God Is a Woman"Eliminated
4Chris Kroeze"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"Public's vote
5Funsho"How Long"Eliminated
6Kirk Jay"One More Day"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson7Abby Cates"Next to Me"Eliminated
8Keith Paluso"Someone Like You"Eliminated
9Sarah Grace"When Something Is Wrong With My Baby"Public's vote
10Zaxai"When I Need You"Eliminated
11Chevel Shepherd"Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days)"Public's vote
12Kymberli Joye"Radioactive"Kelly's choice
Adam Levine13Steve Memmolo"More Today Than Yesterday"Eliminated
14DeAndre Nico"Ordinary People"Public's vote
15RADHA"Dusk Till Dawn"Eliminated
16Kameron Marlowe"I Ain't Living Long Like This"Eliminated
17Tyke James"Use Somebody"Adam's choice
18Reagan Strange"Worth It"Public's vote
Jennifer Hudson19Patrique Fortson"Ain't Nobody"Eliminated
20MaKenzie Thomas"I Believe in You and Me"Public's vote
21Franc West"Apologize"Eliminated
22SandyRedd"No More Drama"Jennifer's choice
23Colton Smith"Scared to Be Lonely"Eliminated
24Kennedy Holmes"Halo"Public's vote
Comeback Stage Performances
Episode 16
Kelsea Ballerini1Ayanna Joni"No Tears Left to Cry"Eliminated
2Lynnea Moorer"Boo'd Up"Comeback Stage Artist
+ Non-competition performances
OrderPerformer(s)Song
16.1Kane Brown"Lose It"
16.2Backstreet Boys"Chances"

Week 2: Top 13 (Nov. 19 & 20)

This week's theme was “Dedications”. The three artists with the fewest votes competed for an Instant Save, with two leaving the competition.

This season, the live show voting mechanism has changed. iTunes purchases of the singles released by the top 13 artists were instead replaced with Apple Music streams which now count as votes. This also affected the iTunes multiplier bonus from past seasons. This time, the artist (and only one) with the most streams after the closing of the voting window would receive a fivefold multiplier.

The Apple Music multiplier was awarded to Reagan Strange.[11] The singles charted in the top 10 this week was Kirk Jay (#10).[12]

EpisodeCoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 17
Blake Shelton1Chris Kroeze"Let It Be"Public's vote
Adam Levine2Tyke James"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You"Bottom three
3DeAndre Nico"I Can Only Imagine"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson4Kymberli Joye"Diamonds"Public's vote
Jennifer Hudson5Kennedy Holmes"Wind Beneath My Wings"Public's vote
6SandyRedd"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday"Bottom three
Kelly Clarkson7Chevel Shepherd"Little White Church"Public's vote
Jennifer Hudson8MaKenzie Thomas"I Am Changing"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson9Sarah Grace"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"Public's vote
Blake Shelton10Dave Fenley"Hard to Love"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson11Lynnea Moorer"Wolves"Bottom three
Blake Shelton12Kirk Jay"I'm Already There"Public's vote
Adam Levine13Reagan Strange"You Say"Public's vote
Instant Save Performances
Episode 18
Jennifer Hudson1SandyRedd"Believer"Eliminated
Adam Levine2Tyke James"Home"Eliminated
Kelly Clarkson3Lynnea Moorer"If I Ain't Got You"Instant Save
+ Non-competition performances
OrderPerformerSong
18.1Adam Levine and his team
(Tyke James, DeAndre Nico, and Reagan Strange)
"Rhiannon"
18.2Kelly Clarkson and her team
(Sarah Grace, Kymberli Joye, Lynnea Moorer, and Chevel Shepherd)
"I Will Always Love You"

Week 3: Top 11 (Nov. 26 & 27)

The theme for this week was "Fan Night", meaning that the artists performed songs chosen by the fans. The two artists with the fewest votes will compete for an Instant Save, with one leaving the competition.The Apple Music multiplier was awarded to Strange, while two artists had singles reached Top 10 on iTunes (Kennedy Holmes (#7) and Kymberli Joye (#8).[13]

EpisodeCoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 19
Blake Shelton1Dave Fenley"Use Me"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson2Chevel Shepherd"Space Cowboy"Public's vote
Adam Levine3Reagan Strange"Complicated"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson4Kymberli Joye"Break Every Chain"Public's vote
Blake Shelton5Kirk Jay"Body Like a Back Road"Public's vote
6Chris Kroeze"Long Train Runnin'"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson7Lynnea Moorer "Consequences"Bottom two
Jennifer Hudson8MaKenzie Thomas"Emotion"Public's vote
Kelly Clarkson9Sarah Grace"Dog Days Are Over"Public's vote
Adam Levine10DeAndre Nico"Cry for You"Bottom two
Jennifer Hudson11Kennedy Holmes"Greatest Love of All"Public's vote
Instant Save Performances
Episode 20
Kelly Clarkson1Lynnea Moorer"Tattooed Heart"Eliminated
Adam Levine2DeAndre Nico"Take Me to the King"Instant Save
+ Non-competition performances
OrderPerformersSong
20.1Blake Shelton and his team
(Dave Fenley, Kirk Jay, and Chris Kroeze)
"Dixieland Delight"
20.2Kelsea Ballerini"Miss Me More"
20.3Jennifer Hudson and her team
(Kennedy Holmes and MaKenzie Thomas)
"The Rose"

Week 4: Top 10 (Dec. 3 & 4)

The Apple Music multiplier bonus was awarded to Chris Kroeze, while Sarah Grace (#3) and Kirk Jay (#4) had singles reached Top 10 on iTunes.[14]

With the advancement of Chevel Shepherd, Kymberli Joye, and Sarah Grace, Clarkson became the first female coach to get more than two artists on her team to the semifinals. With the elimination of Dave Fenley, this marked the first time since the 11th season that Shelton lost any members of his team prior to the semifinals, and the second time out of the past seven seasons in which such an event occurred, having kept his entire team intact up until that point in the competition in the 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 14th seasons.

EpisodeCoachOrderArtistSongResult
Episode 21
Jennifer Hudson1Kennedy Holmes"Me Too"Public's vote
Adam Levine2Reagan Strange"Cry"Bottom three
Kelly Clarkson3Sarah Grace"Amazing Grace"Public's vote
4Kymberli Joye"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"Public's vote
Blake Shelton5Chris Kroeze"Callin' Baton Rouge"Public's vote
6Dave Fenley"When You Say Nothing At All"Bottom three
Adam Levine7DeAndre Nico"That's What I Like"Bottom three
Kelly Clarkson8Chevel Shepherd"You're Lookin' At Country"Public's vote
Blake Shelton9Kirk Jay"Tomorrow"Public's vote
Jennifer Hudson10MaKenzie Thomas"Because You Loved Me"Public's vote
Instant Save Performances
Episode 22
Adam LevineN/A Reagan StrangeInstant Save
Blake Shelton1Dave Fenley"Amazed"Eliminated
Adam Levine2DeAndre Nico"All of Me"Eliminated
+ Non-competition performances
OrderPerformersSong
21.1Blake Shelton"Turnin' Me On"
22.1Anne-Marie & James Arthur"Rewrite the Stars"
22.2Kelly Clarkson"Heat"
22.3Gwen Stefani feat. Mon Laferte"Feliz Navidad"

Week 5: Semifinals (Dec. 10 & 11)

The Top 8 performed on Monday, December 10, 2018, with the results following on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. The top three artists immediately advanced on to the finale, while the bottom two artists with the fewest votes were immediately eliminated and the middle three contended for the remaining spot in the next finale via the Instant Save. Clarkson brought in Brynn Cartelli to help her team in the rehearsals. In addition to their individual songs, each artist performed a duet mashup with another artist in the competition, but unlike the past two seasons, these duets were not available for purchase on iTunes.

The Apple Music multiplier bonus was awarded to Kroeze, while singles for Shepherd (#4) and Jay (#6) charting in at Top 10 on iTunes.[15]

With the elimination of Strange, Levine no longer had any artists left on his team. This was the second season in a row (and the fourth time overall) in which none of his artists represented him in the finale. With the advancements of Shepherd and Holmes, this season also marked the second consecutive season in which two female coaches were represented in the finale, with Shepherd representing Clarkson and Holmes representing Hudson. Holmes's advancement also marked Hudson's first American season to have a finalist, after not being represented in the 13th season. With the advancement of Kroeze, this season marks the first time that an artist who was defeated in Knockout round but was saved by his coach went on to compete in the finale.

Episode! style="width:10%;"
CoachOrderArtistSolo SongDuet MashupResults
Episode 23
Kelly Clarkson1 (10)Sarah Grace"Sign of the Times""Jumpin' Jack Flash"/"Chain of Fools"Eliminated
Jennifer Hudson3 (7)MaKenzie Thomas"Vision of Love""Best of My Love"/"Got to Be Real"Middle Three
Kelly Clarkson5 (7)Kymberli Joye"Never Alone"Eliminated
Blake Shelton6 (10)Chris Kroeze"Can't You See""Jumpin' Jack Flash"/"Chain of Fools"Public's vote
Jennifer Hudson8 (2)Kennedy Holmes"This Is Me""Happy"/"Tightrope"Middle Three
Adam Levine9 (2)Reagan Strange"You Are the Reason"Middle Three
Kelly Clarkson11 (4)Chevel Shepherd"Blue""She's Country"/"Country Must Be Country Wide"Public's vote
Blake Shelton12 (4)Kirk Jay"I Swear"Public's vote
Instant Save Performances
Episode 24
Jennifer Hudson1MaKenzie Thomas"Up to the Mountain"Eliminated
Adam Levine2Reagan Strange"Wherever You Will Go"Eliminated
Jennifer Hudson3Kennedy Holmes"How Do I Live"Instant Save
Non-competition performances
OrderPerformerSong
23.1Jennifer Hudson"Round and Round"
24.1Michael Bublé"Where or When"
24.2Hailee Steinfeld"Back to Life"
24.3Jennifer Hudson"I'll Fight"

Week 6: Finale (Dec. 17 & 18)

The final 4 performed on Monday, December 17, 2018, with the final results following on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Each finalist performed a solo cover song, a holiday-themed duet with their coach, and an original song.The contestant's performances reached the top 10 on iTunes were Shepherd (#1 & #9), Kroeze (#3) and Jay (#2, #4 & #5).[16]

CoachArtistOrderSolo SongOrderDuet Song (with Coach)OrderOriginal SongResult
Blake SheltonChris Kroeze1"Sweet Home Alabama"9"Two More Bottles of Wine"7"Human"Runner-up
Kelly ClarksonChevel Shepherd2"It's a Little Too Late"8"Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain"11"Broken Hearts"Winner
Blake SheltonKirk Jay10"I Won't Let Go"5"You Look So Good in Love"3"Defenseless"Third Place
Jennifer HudsonKennedy Holmes12"Confident"6"Home"4"Love Is Free"Fourth Place
Non-competition performances[17]
OrderPerformersSong
26.1Kelly Rowland & Kennedy Holmes"When Love Takes Over"
26.2Marshmello & Bastille"Happier"
26.3Rascal Flatts & Kirk Jay"Back To Life"
26.4Patrique Fortson, Kymberli Joye, DeAndre Nico & MaKenzie Thomas"Declaration (This Is It)"
26.5Doobie Brothers & Chris Kroeze"Long Train Runnin'"
26.6Brynn Cartelli"Last Night's Mascara"
26.7Panic! at the Disco"Hey Look Ma, I Made It" & "High Hopes"
26.8Abby Cates, Sarah Grace & Reagan Strange"Million Reasons"
26.9John Legend & Esperanza Spalding"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
26.10Jennifer Hudson & Kelly Clarkson"O Holy Night"
26.11Dan + Shay & Chevel Shepherd"Speechless"
26.12Dierks Bentley"Burning Man"
26.13Halsey"Without Me"

Elimination chart

Overall

Color key
  • Artist's info
    • Team Adam
    • Team Kelly
    • Team JHud
    • Team Blake
    • Comeback Stage Artists
  • Result details
    • Winner
    • Runner-up
    • Third place
    • Fourth place
    • Saved by Instant Save (via Twitter)
    • Saved by the public
    • Saved by his/her coach
    • Artist won the Comeback Stage and joined another team
    • Eliminated
  • +Live Show Results per week
    ArtistsWeek 1 PlayoffsWeek 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6 Finale
    Chevel ShepherdSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
    Chris KroezeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
    Kirk JaySafeSafeSafeSafeSafe3rd place
    Kennedy HolmesSafeSafeSafeSafeSafe4th place
    Reagan StrangeSafeSafeSafeSafeEliminatedEliminated (Week 5)
    MaKenzie ThomasSafeSafeSafeSafeEliminated
    Sarah GraceSafeSafeSafeSafeEliminated
    Kymberli JoyeSafeSafeSafeSafeEliminated
    Dave FenleySafeSafeSafeEliminatedEliminated (Week 4)
    DeAndre NicoSafeSafeSafeEliminated
    Lynnea MoorerSafeSafeEliminatedEliminated (Week 3)
    Tyke JamesSafeEliminatedEliminated (Week 2)
    SandyReddSafeEliminated
    Abby CatesEliminatedEliminated (Week 1)
    Patrique FortsonEliminated
    FunshoEliminated
    Natasia GreyCloudEliminated
    Ayanna JoniEliminated
    Michael LeeEliminated
    Kameron MarloweEliminated
    Steve MemmoloEliminated
    Keith PalusoEliminated
    RADHAEliminated
    Colton SmithEliminated
    Franc WestEliminated
    ZaxaiEliminated

    Teams

    Color key
  • Artist's info
    • Team Adam
    • Team Kelly
    • Team JHud
    • Team Blake
  • Results details
    • Winner
    • Runner-up
    • Third place
    • Fourth place
    • Eliminated
    • Saved by Instant Save (via Twitter)
    • Artist won the Comeback Stage (via Twitter)
    • Artist had the most streams of the night and received Apple Music bonus that week
    •   Number of performances reached Top 10 on iTunes
    ArtistWeek 1 PlayoffsWeek 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6 Finale
    Reagan StrangePublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedEliminated
    DeAndre NicoPublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedEliminated
    Tyke JamesCoach's choiceEliminated
    Kameron MarloweEliminated
    Steve MemmoloEliminated
    RADHAEliminated
    Chevel ShepherdPublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedAdvanced bgcolor=yellowWinner
    Sarah GracePublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedAdvanced Eliminated
    Kymberli JoyeCoach's choiceAdvancedAdvanced AdvancedEliminated
    Lynnea MoorerPublic's voteAdvancedEliminated
    Abby CatesEliminated
    Keith PalusoEliminated
    ZaxaiEliminated
    Kennedy HolmesPublic's voteAdvancedAdvanced AdvancedAdvancedFourth place
    MaKenzie ThomasPublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedEliminated
    SandyReddCoach's choiceEliminated
    Patrique FortsonEliminated
    Colton SmithEliminated
    Franc WestEliminated
    Chris KroezePublic's voteAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedRunner-up
    Kirk JayPublic's voteAdvanced AdvancedAdvanced Advanced Third place
    Dave FenleyCoach's choiceAdvancedAdvancedEliminated
    FunshoEliminated
    Natasia GreyCloudEliminated
    Michael LeeEliminated

    Controversies

    Top 10 Elimination

    The "Instant Save" during the Top 10 garnered controversy. The bottom group for that week featured three contestants: Dave Fenley (Team Blake), DeAndre Nico (Team Adam), and Reagan Strange (Team Adam). Adam Levine made controversial comments that some fans felt were unfair to Nico, expressing their concern that Levine was "throwing him under the bus" in favor of Strange, who was unable to perform due to "health reasons." Following Nico's performance, Levine chose to advocate for Strange, telling viewers to vote for her despite her not being able to perform, and only briefly touched upon Nico's performance. After the commercial break, fellow coach Kelly Clarkson came in defense of Levine's speech while applauding Nico to console him and clarified that she was aware of Levine's situation for his team and that he was just disappointed that Strange couldn't sing onstage to save herself as it is what occurred the outcome to this issue. The vote was reported close, with Strange advancing by one percent (38% to Nico's 37%).

    Following Strange's advancement, fans criticized Levine online for his "lack of respect" towards Nico in a pivotal moment, and many blamed him for the elimination. Some fans cited that Strange's advancement over Nico and Fenley was unfair because she did not perform, while Nico expressed frustration with Levine's behavior in a later interview, saying Levine "sold [him] out." Levine briefly addressed the controversy the following week by having Nico and Strange Facetime. However, some fans felt the controversy was not fully addressed, as both Nico and his mother, Johnna, revealed on Twitter and Instagram that Levine had never actually apologized. The following week, Strange was eliminated. Some fans criticized her elimination, expressing they felt her elimination was the result of the controversy and Levine's handling of Nico's elimination, while other fans found her elimination a perfectly fair compensation for Nico's elimination.

    The controversy had lasting effects which rolled over into the following season. By the time the live Cross-Battles arrived, Levine's team was whittled down from eight members to two, with Levine managing to add two more members due to a save and a steal, likely due to angry fans and voters refusing to vote for Team Adam members, and the remaining members would later be voted out over the following two weeks. This controversy might have also factored into Levine's departure the following year.

    Ratings

    EpisodeOriginal airdateProductionTime slot (ET)Viewers
    Adults (18–49)Source
    RatingShare
    1"The Blind Auditions Premiere, Part 1"1501Monday 8:00 p.m.9.662.08[18]
    2"The Blind Auditions Premiere, Part 2"1502Tuesday 8:00 p.m.9.902.210[19]
    3"The Blind Auditions, Part 3"1503Monday 8:00 p.m.10.062.18[20]
    4"The Blind Auditions, Part 4"1504Tuesday 8:00 p.m.9.191.88[21]
    5"The Blind Auditions, Part 5"1505Monday 8:00 p.m.9.561.98[22]
    6"The Blind Auditions, Part 6"1506Tuesday 8:00 p.m.9.211.88[23]
    7"The Blinds End and the Battles Begin"1507Monday 8:00 p.m.9.991.98[24]
    8"The Battles Premiere, Part 2"1508Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.991.88[25]
    9"The Battles, Part 3"1509Monday 8:00 p.m.9.381.98[26]
    10"The Battles, Part 4"1510Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.441.67[27]
    11"The Knockouts Premiere, Part 1"1511Monday 8:00 p.m.9.461.88[28]
    12"The Knockouts Premiere, Part 2"1512Tuesday 8:00 p.m.9.001.67[29]
    13"The Knockouts, Part 3"1513Monday 8:00 p.m.9.031.88[30]
    14"The Road To The Lives"1514Thursday 9:00 p.m.3.840.73[31]
    15"The Live Playoffs, Night 1"1515Monday 8:00 p.m.9.001.78[32]
    16"The Live Playoffs, Night 2"1516Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.851.67[33]
    17"Live Top 13 Performance"1517Monday 8:00 p.m.7.881.46[34]
    18"Live Top 13 Results"1518Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.221.46[35]
    19"Live Top 11 Performance"1519Monday 8:00 p.m.9.381.66[36]
    20"Live Top 11 Results"1520Tuesday 8:00 p.m.9.571.56[37]
    21"Live Top 10 Performance"1521Monday 8:00 p.m.8.971.56[38]
    22"Live Top 10 Results"1522Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.911.47[39]
    23"Live Top 8 Semifinals Performance"1523Monday 8:00 p.m.8.431.46[40]
    24"Live Top 8 Semifinals Results"1524Tuesday 8:00 p.m.8.961.46[41]
    25"Live Finale Performance"1525Monday 8:00 p.m.9.461.56[42]
    26"Live Finale Results"1526Tuesday 9:00 p.m.9.891.78[43]

    Notes and References

    1. Bell . Amanda . The Voice season premiere recap: Blake's Canadian tuxedo can't contend with JHud Productions . Entertainment Weekly . https://web.archive.org/web/20180925083149/https://ew.com/recap/voice-season-15-premiere/ . September 25, 2018 . September 24, 2018.
    2. Williams . Janice . 'The Voice' Season 15 Spoilers: Who Are the Coaches After Kelsea Ballerini's Addition? . Newsweek . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911230542/https://www.newsweek.com/voice-season-15-coaches-1116487 . September 11, 2018 . September 11, 2018.
    3. Web site: The Voice Launching The Comeback Stage Companion Series With Kelsea Ballerini as Fifth Coach. Chris Harnick. September 10, 2018. E!. September 15, 2018.
    4. Lily . Milman . 'The Voice' Announces Halsey, CeeLo Green, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban as New Advisors . Billboard . August 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807231714/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8469088/the-voice-announces-new-advisors-details . August 7, 2018.
    5. Upadhyaya . Kayla Kumari . 'The Voice': Blind Auditions End, Battle Round Commences . The Hollywood Reporter . https://web.archive.org/web/20181016051247/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/voice-season-15-battle-round-begins-1152568 . October 16, 2018 . October 15, 2018.
    6. Web site: O'Sullivan . Kelly . We Could Watch 'The Voice' Coaches Sing the 'Golden Girls' Theme Song All Day Long . Countryliving . October 17, 2018.
    7. Web site: Cohn . Paulette . Meet The Voice Season 15 Teams Going into the Knockout Rounds . Parade . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107062937/https://parade.com/712073/paulettecohn/photos-meet-the-voice-season-15-teams-going-into-the-knockout-rounds/ . November 7, 2018 . October 29, 2018.
    8. News: Napoli . Jessica . Mariah Carey Joins 'The Voice' Season 15 as Key Advisor . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106224527/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/television/mariah-carey-joins-the-voice-season-as-key-advisor/article_cd90125e-7feb-5202-91f5-be6930672982.html . November 6, 2018 . October 23, 2018.
    9. News: Haas . Susan . 'The Voice': Fan-favorite veteran Cody Ray Raymond leaves for 'personal matters' . USA Today . https://web.archive.org/web/20181030070624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2018/10/29/voice-fan-fave-cody-ray-raymond-leaves-personal-matters/1815062002/ . October 30, 2018 . October 29, 2018.
    10. Web site: Seemayer . Zach . Kelsea Ballerini Is Joining 'The Voice' as Fifth Coach in 'Comeback Stage' Companion Series . Entertainment Tonight . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911022110/https://www.etonline.com/kelsea-ballerini-is-joining-the-voice-as-fifth-coach-in-comeback-stage-companion-series-109359 . September 11, 2018 . September 10, 2018.
    11. Web site: Mark . Franklin . The Voice Ditches itunes Covers for Early Rounds of Season 15. September 25, 2018. November 20, 2018. Idol Chatter.
    12. Web site: Franklin . Mark . KIRK JAY, TYKE JAMES SCORE ITUNES HITS FOR THE VOICE . Idol Chatter . November 20, 2018.
    13. Web site: Franklin . Mark . KYMBERLI JOYE, KENNEDY HOLMES, CHEVEL SHEPHERD SCORE ITUNES HITS . Idol Chatter . November 27, 2018.
    14. Web site: Franklin . Mark . SARAH GRACE, KIRK JAY SCORE ITUNES HITS FOR THE VOICE . Idol Chatter . December 4, 2018.
    15. Web site: Franklin . Mark . CHEVEL SHEPHERD, KIRK JAY SCORE ITUNES HITS FOR THE VOICE . Idol Chatter . December 11, 2018.
    16. Web site: Franklin . Mark . CHEVEL SHEPHERD, KIRK JAY, CHRIS KROEZE SOAR TO TOP OF ITUNES . Idol Chatter . December 18, 2019.
    17. Web site: Cantor . Brian . Panic! At The Disco, Halsey, Dierks Bentley, More Performing On "The Voice" Finale . Headline Planet . December 14, 2018 . December 15, 2018.
    18. Web site: 'The Big Bang Theory' adjusts up, 'The Good Doctor' adjusts down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. September 25, 2018. September 25, 2018.
    19. Web site: 'This is Us' and 'The Voice' adjust up, 'New Amsterdam' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. September 26, 2018. September 26, 2018.
    20. Web site: 'The Voice' adjusts up, 'The Good Doctor' and 'Dancing with the Stars' adjust down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. October 2, 2018. October 2, 2018.
    21. Web site: 'New Amsterdam' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. October 3, 2018. October 3, 2018.
    22. Web site: 'Bull' and 'The Resident' adjust up, 'Manifest' and 'The Voice' adjust down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. October 9, 2018. October 9, 2018.
    23. Web site: American Music Awards, 'This is Us,' everything else unchanged: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. October 10, 2018. October 10, 2018.
    24. Web site: 'Magnum P.I.' and 'Bull' adjust up, 'Dancing with the Stars' adjusts down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. October 16, 2018. October 16, 2018.
    25. Web site: 'The Conners,' 'The Flash,' and more adjust up, 'Splitting Up Together' and 'Black-ish' adjust down: Tuesday final rating. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. October 17, 2018. October 17, 2018.
    26. Web site: 'Happy Together' adjusts up, 'Dancing with the Stars' adjusts down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. October 23, 2018. October 23, 2018.
    27. Web site: World Series and 'New Amsterdam' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. October 24, 2018. October 24, 2018.
    28. Web site: 'Happy Together' adjusts up, 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'The Good Doctor' adjust down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers . Welch. Alex. October 30, 2018. October 30, 2018.
    29. Web site: 'The Flash' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. October 31, 2018. October 31, 2018.
    30. Web site: 'Manifest,' 'The Good Doctor,' and 'Dancing with the Stars' adjust down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. November 6, 2018. November 6, 2018.
    31. Web site: 'Thursday Night Football' adjusts up: Thursday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. November 9, 2018. November 9, 2018.
    32. Web site: 'Arrow' and 'Legends of Tomorrow' adjust down: Monday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. November 14, 2018. November 14, 2018.
    33. Web site: 'This is Us,' 'The Rookie,' everything else unchanged: Tuesday final ratings. TV by the Numbers. Welch. Alex. November 14, 2018. November 14, 2018.
    34. Web site: 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'The Good Doctor' adjust down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. November 20, 2018. November 20, 2018.
    35. Web site: 'The Rookie,' 'The Voice,' and all others hold: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. November 21, 2018. November 21, 2018.
    36. Web site: 'Great Christmas Light Fight' and 'The Good Doctor' adjust down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. November 28, 2018. November 28, 2018.
    37. Web site: 'This is Us' and 'The Gifted' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. November 29, 2018. November 29, 2018.
    38. Web site: 'Arrow' adjusts up, 'The Neighborhood' adjusts down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. December 4, 2018. December 4, 2018.
    39. Web site: 'NCIS: New Orleans' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. December 5, 2018. December 5, 2018.
    40. Web site: 'Arrow' adjusts up, 'Magnum P.I.' and 'The Neighborhood' adjust down: Monday final ratings . TV by the Numbers . Welch. Alex. December 11, 2018. December 11, 2018.
    41. Web site: 'Supergirl' and 'The Rookie' adjust up: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex. TV by the Numbers. December 12, 2018. December 12, 2018.
    42. Web site: 'The Voice' and 'America's Got Talent' special adjust down: Monday final ratings. Welch. Alex . TV by the Numbers. December 18, 2018. December 18, 2018.
    43. Web site: 'The Voice,' 'Greatest Holiday Video Countdown,' and all others hold: Tuesday final ratings. Welch. Alex . TV by the Numbers. December 19, 2018. December 19, 2018.