Adam Levine, the Maroon 5 frontman who was previously a coach on “The Voice” for 16 seasons straight, is back in his red swivel chair and looking for a win.
This season, dubbed “The Voice: Battle of Champions,” marks the first time in the show’s history that all of the coaches featured in a season have won at least once.
Levine’s last win came just over a decade ago, with contemporary Christian singer Jordan Smith in 2015. He also won the show’s inaugural season with Javier Colon back in 2011 and in Season 5 with Tessanne Chin.
“Voice” coach John Legend has one win under his belt with Season 16 star Maelyn Jarmon, while Kelly Clarkson has four wins as a coach. Clarkson’s 2021 win with the sibling trio Girl Named Tom marks the most recent victory on the show out of all the coaches this season.
Here’s a look at the three singers left on Levine’s team, who could potentially give him a fourth victory.
‘The Voice’ Season 29: Who is on Team Adam Levine?
Alexia Jayy
Alexia Jayy, a 31-year-old singer from Mobile, Alabama, was emotional as she talked with “Voice” producers about having her son with her for the audition.
“It means a lot, because we’ve been through so much together,” she said. “He has seen me stop and start, stop and start. But he’s never seen me give up, and he’s so proud of me right now.”
Jayy auditioned with a performance of Carole King’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” channeling Aretha Franklin’s soulful take on the song and earning a chair turn from all three coaches along the way.
At one point, Jayy’s performance had all three coaches standing up in excitement.
Legend, who is historically one of the more selective coaches, was especially complimentary.
“You have it all,” he said. “You’re my type of singer.”
Both Clarkson and Levine seemed to assume Jayy would select Legend to be her coach. They were visibly shocked when Jayy, whose son is a Maroon 5 fan, went with Levine.
“You have one of the best voices I’ve ever heard on this show, ever,” Levine told her.
Jayy has continued to draw high praise throughout her time in the competition.
During the Battle round, which featured a performance of Commodores’ “Night Shift,” Legend compared her to the legendary Gladys Knight.
“I’m still very upset you’re not on my team,” he said.
“There are just moments where I’m listening to you sing that just make me want to cry,” Levine added. “It’s beautiful what you do. ... You are just a gift.”
After Jayy’s performance of Whitney Houston’s “You Give Good Love” during the Knockout round, Clarkson turned and looked at Levine and made a bold declaration: “She’s gonna win.”
Jeremy Keith
At 40, Jeremy Keith has a fairly extensive performing career that has included years of being a background singer and, more recently, being a member of the 1990s R&B group After 7.
The singer from Washington, D.C., auditioned with Freddie Jackson’s “You Are My Lady” and got a chair turn from all three coaches. Legend, who tends to wait a while before turning his chair, was the first to turn during the blind audition.
Clarkson told Keith she thought he could win the show. Legend, meanwhile, performed an impromptu duet of his song “Ordinary People” with the singer. But in the end, Keith made an unexpected choice and went with Levine to be his coach.
Now, Keith is a semifinalist in the season’s top nine. Throughout his time on the show, Keith’s performances have included “My Cherie Amour” and Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”
Jared Shoemaker
Jared Shoemaker was at somewhat of a disadvantage going into his audition for “The Voice.” By the time the 32-year-old Navy veteran took the stage, Clarkson and Legend had already filled up their teams. There was only one spot on Levine’s team.
When the singer from Kentucky — who started gigging after the Navy and has previously opened for the ‘90s country band Diamond Rio — started performing Zach Top’s “I Never Lie,” Levine heard a voice he wanted on his team.
“The subtle simplicity of your voice is so refreshing,” the Maroon 5 singer said.
“You’re going to do so well,” Clarkson added.
During the Battle round, which featured Shoemaker in a duet of Don Henley and Stevie Nicks’ “Leather and Lace,“ Legend declared the singer was one of his favorite male vocalists of the season.
“You just sound like a star to me,” he said. “You’re like the real deal.”
During the Knockouts, Shoemaker secured his spot in the top nine with a performance of Travis Tritt’s “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.”
When is ‘The Voice’ season finale?
Following the performances from the season’s top nine, a voting group consisting of superfans and past artists on the show will help determine the four competitors advancing to the Season 29 finale, airing Tuesday, April 14, at 8 p.m. MDT on NBC.
Levine and Legend will each have one artist from their teams in the finale, while Clarkson will get two after winning the “All-Star Showdown,” a new competition this season that featured former “Voice” winners and contestants competing on their coach’s behalf. Clarkson’s team earned a second spot in the top four with strong performances from her previous “Voice” champions Girl Named Tom and Jake Hoot.
The top four singers will each perform both a contemporary and classic song Tuesday night, with the selected voters weighing in on their favorites.
Host Carson Daly will reveal the Season 29 winner at the end of the two-hour episode.