‘The Voice’ season 24 episode 17 recap: ‘The Playoffs Premiere’ [LIVE BLOG]

Tonight on “The Voice,” America’s best undiscovered talent goes head-to-head on teams led by four of today’s biggest musical icons. Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani and John Legend playfully compete against each other while mentoring these inspiring singers in search of the next superstar Voice. “The Playoffs Premiere” episode starts now!

The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series returns with the strongest vocalists from across the country invited to compete in the show’s newest season, which premiered September 25 on NBC. The show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. 

SEE Everything to know about ‘The Voice’ Season 24: Premiere date, coaches

Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 24, Episode 17 to find out what happened Tuesday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite artists on NBC’s long-running reality TV show, which coach you’re rooting for and who you think will ultimately join “The Voice” winners list for this 24th season. Carson Daly hosts the Emmy-winning program.

Keep refreshing/reloading this “The Voice” live blog for the most recent updates.

9:00 p.m. – “Previously on ‘The Voice’!” In episode 16, the coaches finished refining their teams as the knockouts concluded. On Team Reba’s Jordan Rainer defeated Caitlin Quisenberry and Elizabeth Evans. On Team Niall Alexa Wildish defeated Lennon Vanderdoes and Julia Roome. Team Gwen had the night off. On Team Legend Mac Royals defeated Taylor Deneen (saved by John) and Brandon Montel. Then, Carson announced each coach would have the opportunity to bring back one eliminated contestant as a wildcard in the next round. It’s time for the Playoffs!

9:02 p.m. – For the first night of playoffs, Team Niall took the stage to perform for their chance to make it to the live shows. The night started with “ready-made pop star” Nini Iris taking on Niall’s choice for her, “River.” Because it’s such a big song, Niall worked with her in rehearsal on the “small moments” that he said will be “so effective.”

9:06 p.m. – Gwen appreciated that she “built it to the right moment” and thinks she has “such an intuition” about herself. John sees her as a confident and skilled performer that always shows the best of herself. Reba differed from the others, saying that she took the song too far with the choreography. Niall added that Nini is one of the few big belters in the competition that has control.

9:10 p.m. – Niall told Claudia B. that he saved her because what she did in the knockouts was “so beautiful” and appreciates that she stayed on his team instead of switching back to Team Legend. Niall and Claudia worked through “Talking to the Moon” in rehearsal with Niall coaching her through finding an emotional connection to the song.

9:14 p.m. – John told Claudia that she sounded better than ever because her voice was “richer” tonight than before, but he still preferred the Norah Jones song from the knockouts. Reba liked the song choice and Claudia’s ability to make it her own with her “smooth like butter” voice. Niall said he got goosebumps from her performance, especially in the beginning part of the song.

9:19 p.m. – Huntley hit the rehearsal space next to practice “Daylight,” a song Niall said requires an “emotional person and a big voice.” Because Huntley sounded too comfortable with the song, Niall urged him to take it half a step up. He said that all it will take for Huntley to make it through is for him to “lean into his strengths.”

9:23 p.m. – Gwen called his vocal “masterful” and is still shocked that he isn’t attached to a record label already. John said that he already carries himself like a star and his performances are “well beyond a competition.” Niall pointed out that he gave Huntley a song that the wouldn’t have chosen for himself and acknowledged that everyone at the show and in the audience already love him.

9:30 p.m. – The artist that Niall brought back with his “Super Save” was his very own Julia Roome who he eliminated in the knockouts. For her comeback song, they chose “True Colors” because it speaks to her journey of being eliminated and finding the emotional strength to come back.

9:34 p.m. – Gwen told Julia that her choices in the song show how much emotion she can bring into it. John said that Julia’s knockout was “one of the best performances by anyone” and appreciated that this time she showed more tender aspects of her voice. Niall noted her “character, control and uniqueness” as her strengths and that’s why he had to bring her back.

9:40 p.m. – For Mara Justine‘s next song Niall chose the “absolute monster” song “You’ve Got the Love.” Mara liked the choice because it’s a song that she can “feel to the core” with every lyric. Niall wanted to work on the dynamics and do some changes just so that the song could feel more like Mara’s version instead of Florence Welch’s.

9:44 p.m. – John called her falsetto in this song a “revelation” and thinks it was her best moment on the show so far. Reba called the performance an “emotional rollercoaster of excitement” and Gwen said she loves that she remains herself in every song that she chooses. Niall liked that she took all the notes he gave her in rehearsal and followed through with them.

9:50 p.m. – The last performer was Alexa Wildish with her take on “Fields of Gold,” a song she had previously sang at her grandmother’s memorial service. Niall was hoping that Alexa would be able to convey the emotion of the song to the audience because it would make her the kind of storyteller that he’s looking for on his team.

9:55 p.m. – Reba called it a “great performance” and appreciates that she enunciates clearly. John thought Alexa is “so distinct” and has excellent execution. Niall said that she “bleeds emotion and authenticity” and manages to stand out among a bunch of big belters on the show.

9:57 p.m. – Forced to cut his team down from six artists to three, Niall spoke to all of them on stage before announcing his decision. Niall chose Huntley for being “an unbelievable performer,” Nini Iris because she’s “the most ready” and “could win,” and Mara Justine because her energy is “perfect for the live shows.”

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