‘The Voice’ season 25 episode 14 recap: Team Legend and Team Dan + Shay compete in ‘The Playoffs Premiere’ [LIVE BLOG]

Coaches John Legend and Dan + Shay enlist the help of superstar mentors Maluma and Saweetie as their remaining artists hold nothing back during the playoffs. Tough decisions are made as each coach can only advance three artists to the live shows.

The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice” returns with the strongest vocalists from across the country invited to compete in the show’s newest season, which premiered February 26 on NBC (8pm PT/ET). The show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. 

SEEEverything to know about ‘The Voice’ Season 25: Coaches, mentors and finale date …

Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 25, Episode 14 to find out what happened Monday, April 22 at 8:00 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 25th season. Carson Daly hosts the Emmy-winning program.

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

8:00 p.m. – “Previously on ‘The Voice’!” In episode 13, the knockouts concluded. On Team Reba Justin & Jeremy Garcia defeated and eliminated Zeya Rae. On Team Chance Maddi Jane defeated Kamalei Kawa’a, but John used his steal to recruit her to Team Legend. Next, RLetto defeated and eliminated Alyssa Crosby. On Team Dan + Shay Karen Waldrup defeated and eliminated Ducote Talmage. On Team Legend Mafe defeated and eliminated Gene Taylor. Then, Zoe Levert defeated Jackie Romeo, but Reba stole Jackie and advanced her into the playoffs. Let’s start the Playoffs!

8:02 p.m. – Up first tonight was Team Legend who shared their rehearsal space with Maluma as John’s special advisor. He told Nathan Chester that the secret is to “trust yourself” and “always put your heart” in the right space. Then, following his performance of “Oh! Darling,” Reba called it the “best performance ever” because of the performance quality. Chance appreciated the “choreography” and “tone” while Dan + Shay thought he made it his own and it was “flawless.” John added that he performed with “enthusiasm” and “great execution,” making “an ecstatic statement” that he deserves to be in the live shows.

8:13 p.m. – The first performance from Team Dan + Shay came from Karen Waldrup with her version of “Heart Like a Truck.” Saweetie reminded her during rehearsal that “there is no deadline for dreams” and she likes that her song was “both spicy and strong.” Then after the performance, John said it was “great music happening” because she has “clarity” in her voice. Reba expressed her frustration that she was blocked from getting Karen during the blinds because she’s “spectacular.” Chance told her she “captivates the audience” and that’s why she should advance. Shay said that he’s proud of how she’s “progressed” and Dan said she’s “connected to the lyric” more than ever before.

8:25 p.m. – During Kamalei Kawa’a‘s rehearsal of “No Woman, No Cry,” John and Maluma helped “build the arrangement” in a way that would help him connect to the audience better. His former coach Chance said that there was “great improvisational moments,” Dan called his voice “very comforting,” and Reba said he “conveys that strength in your music and your singing.” John thinks that Kamalei honors Bob Marley “in a very beautiful way” by being himself in all of his performances.

8:37 p.m. – Anya True chose to sing “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” because it reminds her of growing up and what it will mean to her to step into adulthood in the coming year. Saweetie helped her speak more confidently about her art form and then reminded her that eye contact is going to be important for the performance. Chance was surprised that she chose a pop song because he never saw her in that area, but John thought it was a good choice because it still has the country tones to it. Reba could feel that she was “really into it” and so that’s why she enjoyed it despite not being able to understand all of the words. Dan was happy that he didn’t feel like she was performing as Taylor Swift and Shay pointed out the sharpness to her voice that he likes.

8:49 p.m. – For the oldest contestant this season, Maluma asked Bryan Olesen to only use the guitar in his performance of “Africa” if it’ll be a “plus” to his show, but otherwise his purpose should be to connect to the audience. Shay told Bryan that he performs like a superstar, Reba called him “the perfect package,” and Chance said he’s “100% a rockstar” because he knows how to “control the crowd” and “create a moment.” John added that it does feel like they’re at his concert and he’s able to show his “intention” with every song.

9:00 p.m. – When it came to Olivia Rubini‘s rehearsal of “I’ll Stand by You,” Saweetie’s “biggest advice” as a woman in the industry is to “never take ‘no’ for an answer.” Shay helped her feel emotion by emphasizing the importance of that in her performance. Later, Chance said that he wishes there was “a little more dynamic” to her performance and John noticed that she was trying to find the groove of the song and doesn’t think it was the best choice. Dan said that she has “so much originality” and propped her up for no one else in the competition being like her.

9:11 p.m. – It was special for Mafe to meet Maluma because she is the Spanish language singer in the competition and she said it “felt right.” He was impressed with her take on “Someone Like You” and so proud of her for doing what it takes to become a star in a country that is new to her. After her performance, Reba told Mafe that she “absolutely loved it” and let her “voice do the convincing.” Chance like that she made “really cool choices,” but Shay thought that “all the liberties” she took on a popular song were “too much.” John disagreed with Shay and said her “melodic liberties” were “tasteful.”

9:22 p.m. – For their stolen artist Tae Lewis, Dan + Shay joined Saweetie in challenging him to “try different moods” like untethering himself to the guitar so that he can move around the stage a little more. After his version of “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” Reba noticed that the audience is totally engrossed in him and Chance called it his “most soulful performance.” Dan liked that he “showcased his range” and Shay said it was ” so fantastic.”

9:33 p.m. – Zoe Levert was the final artist for Team Legend, taking on and stripping down the song “Iris.” Maluma centered in on the lower parts of her voice and thinks she should “pay attention” to it because it was the favorite part of the song for him. After a standing ovation from the coaches, Chance called it his “favorite performance” of the night and said it was good enough for her to release as an official cover. Dan said it was apparent that she felt “every bit of this moment” and Reba agreed that she “brought it” this round. John pointed out that she announced herself as “ready for this moment” this week.

9:45 p.m. – Closing it out for Team Dan + Shay was their playoff pass artist Madison Curbelo with “Landslide.” Saweetie’s note for her was that she came more alive at the end of the song and encouraged her to show “more of that Puerto Rican personality” earlier in the song. She also received a standing ovation with Reba saying that she “got chills,” Chance admitting that he felt like crying, and John saying that she made it seem “so easy.” Shay said that her voice sends lyrics “straight to the soul” and he nearly got “the chills.”

9:54 p.m. – Dan + Shay were first to make their decision about which three of their artists would advance to the live shows. They chose Madison Curbelo, Karen Waldrup, and Tae Lewis.

9:56 p.m. – When it came to John’s decision of who to bring with him to the live shows it was Nathan Chester, Zoe Levert, and Bryan Olesen.