‘The Voice’ 2022 Live Recap: Live Playoffs Contestants & Performances

The Voice / YouTube Blake Shelton on The Voice

“The Voice” season 22 Live Playoffs begin tonight, November 14.

Read on to see what the members of Blake Shelton, Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend’s teams choose to perform for their first live show, and what the coaches are saying now that the decision rests in the viewers’ hands.

For information on how to vote: see HERE.

SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers for “The Voice” season 22 episode, “Live Top 16 Performances” (November 14, 2022). Do not read ahead if you do not want this episode spoiled.

‘The Voice’ Season 22 Live Playoffs Episode 1 Live Recap

The episode opened with host Carson Daly welcoming the coaches, contestants, and audiences to the first live shows of the season. With 16 performances to get through, we dove right into the show.

Team Legend: Omar Jose Cardona

For the first live performance of the night, Omar Jose Cardona chose “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Omar used the whole stage, walking back to sing with the band at one point. Camila said Omar was in his element on the live stage, and John said his voice was “out of this world”, and praised his passion and musicality.

Team Legend: Kim Cruse

Kim Cruse noted that fan reaction to her “Voice” run has been great, and that tonight she is singing Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)”. Blake complimented Kim’s vocal strength, while John argued that she balances that power with beautiful smoothness. Blake said she was the only one on this season who had any sense singing Aretha Franklin.

Team Legend: Sasha Hurtado

Sasha Hurtado began on Team Camila, before being stolen by Team Gwen, and then stolen a second time by Team Legend. Representing her new coach John, Sasha is singing “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John, though she feels she has benefitted from the expertise of all three mentors on the show. Gwen is jealous to not have Sasha on her team anymore, and said she commanded the stage, and John agrees that Sasha knows she belongs on the show now.

Team Legend: Parijita Bastola

Parijita Bastola closed out Team Legends’ first live performances by singing Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again” from “A Star Is Born”. Camila asked “Who hurt Parijita?!” joking about how much emotion Parijita was able to evoke from the performance, and John agreed that it was very emotionally honest.

Team Gwen: Kique

Kique followed up his creative Knockouts arrangement with a cover of “As It Was” by Harry Styles. Kique slowed down the song from the original recording. Gwen said Kique sees and knows his voice very well, and knows how to work with it to make a successful arrangement and performance.

Team Gwen: Kevin Hawkins

Team Gwen’s newest member Kevin Hawkins opened his live performance by saying hello to the audience before diving into “Skate” by Silk Sonic. Blake said he hopes everybody votes for Kevin and complimented his fun and entertaining performance. Gwen said she was thrilled to see him blossom on stage.

Team Gwen: Alyssa Witrado

Alyssa Witrado is covering a former voice coach, performing “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus. Camila loved Alyssa’s voice but wishes the singer let herself get more lost in the song. Gwen was proud of Alyssa remaining in tune, saying people don’t realize how tricky that can be with her style of voice.

Team Gwen: Justin Aaron

Justin Aaron wrapped up Team Gwen’s performances with a rendition of “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross. All four coaches were on their feet for the end of Justin’s performance. John told Justin “You keep amazing me each round,” and Gwen said she’d been waiting a long time for somebody to do this song, and Justin’s performance was “beyond my dream.”

Team Camila: Morgan Myles

Morgan Myles chose to sing “Let Him Fly” by Patty Griffin for her first live performance. Blake said he was so glad to hear her choose a country song, and that she looks like a star. Camila called Morgan a Truth Teller.

Team Camila: Eric Who

Eric Who took to the stage for a dramatic performance of Adele’s “Rumor Has It”. He had the band come in with a rock and roll/punk arrangement featuring electric guitar. John complimented Eric’s arrangement, especially on the bridge. Camila repeated Eric, who said during his performance, “Welcome to ‘The Eric Who Show'”.

Team Camila: Kate Kalvach

Team Camila’s newest member Kate Kalvach took the stage with her rendition of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One”, though the singer had trouble with her in-ear monitor during the performance, pointing to her microphone a few times and taking the monitor out during the song. The coaches praised her for continuing on, saying they couldn’t tell it happened, Camila clarified how important the in-ear monitor can be for a singer, and said that she got better throughout the performance.

Team Camila: Devix

Team Camila’s final performance of the night was Devix, who sang “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon. John said Devix should be on the radio, and chose the right song, but wants to see him unleash a little more. Camila said that was good feedback, and noted Devix’s guitar playing and said he looked like he was having fun.

Team Blake: Bryce Leatherwood

Bryce Leatherwood kicked off Team Blake’s performances with “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” by Travis Tritt. Blake shouted “Touchdown!” as he finished the song, and John complimented the song choice and the believability of the performance. Blake was excited, and said everything about Bryce comes from the heart.

Team Blake: Rowan Grace

Team Blake’s newest artist is singing Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You”. Rowan’s former coach Gwen complimented “Daddy” Blake for his work with Rowan, and said she made the perfect song choice. Blake said Rowan made herself a frontrunner with this performance.

Team Blake: Brayden Lape

Team Blake’s youngest singer took to the stage with “Buy Dirt” by Jordan Davis. Camila said this was her favorite of Brayden’s performances, and that he looked effortless. Blake called the performance incredible and told the “Voice” fans to decide if they want to say that they discovered Brayden, or wait for him to show up on the radio in a few years.

Team Blake: Bodie

Bodie gave the final performance of the night to Joji’s “Glimpse of Us”. Gwen said she wasn’t expecting that kind of song from Bodie, but that it was still “unbelievably good”. Blake says he wishes the audience at home could here the crowd going wild in the studio.

“The Voice” Live Results air tomorrow, November 15, at 8 pm Eastern, where three contestants will be eliminated. Voting is open overnight, and information on how to vote can be found HERE.

Who is Left Going Into Tonight?

Going into tonight, all four teams are even, with four members entering the Live Playoffs. Three will be eliminated in tomorrow night’s results show, so these numbers won’t remain for long. Stay tuned to see who goes home.

Team Camila:

• Devix
• Morgan Myles
• Eric Who
• Kate Kalvach (stolen from Team Blake in Knockout)

Team Blake:

• Brayden Lape
• Bodie
• Rowan Grace (stolen from Team Gwen in Knockout)
• Bryce Leatherwood

Team Gwen:

• Justin Aaron
• Alyssa Witrado
• Kevin Hawkins (stolen from Team Blake in Knockout)
• Kique

Team Legend:

• Kim Cruse
• Parijita Bastola
• Omar Jose Cardona
• Sasha Hurtado (stolen from Team Gwen in Knockout)