Out and About

Voice recap: Clarkson, Shelton battle over Raleigh singer

Blake Shelton talked about riding a unicorn. That pretty much sums up last night's episode of NBC's "The Voice," which also saw Raleigh's Molly Stevens cause two judges to battle it out.

Posted Updated

By
Kathy Hanrahan, Out
and
About Editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — Blake Shelton talked about riding a unicorn. That pretty much sums up last night's episode of NBC's "The Voice," which also saw Raleigh's Molly Stevens cause two judges to battle it out.

"I hope it's country, and I hope I get her," judge Kelly Clarkson said to fellow judge Shelton shortly before we were introduced to Molly Stevens, a country and Americana singer-songwriter.

Stevens, 34, grew up in Macon, Ga., in a Southern Baptist family and has since moved to Raleigh. She said her religious upbringing made it even more difficult when she came out as a lesbian to her parents. Stevens was joined by her parents and her fiance, Ashlee, backstage.

"It's gonna be country. It's gonna be mine," Clarkson whispered to Shelton shortly before Stevens launched into the first notes of "Heavenly Day."

Stevens' soulful voice and strong country vibes ignited a battle between Clarkson and Shelton. Clarkson eventually won out with Stevens joining her team.

The night kicked off with Davison of Little Rock, Ark.

"I was always the kid who couldn't wait to sing the Pledge of Allegiance. Is that it? No. The National Anthem," he said while grimacing.

Davison named several artists he'd love to work with – Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson (shocker since they are both Voice judges this season). But Davison's mom only had eyes for Blake.

Davison's rendition of "To Love Somebody" got Adam and Blake to turn their chairs around.

"You are outrageous, and your voice is so beautiful," Keys said, despite not turning her chair around for him. What, Alicia?? C'mon.

Though he was promised to be made the "centerpiece of Team Blake," Davison went with Adam and his palm tree shirt.

The entire city of Placerville, Calif., is behind Jacklyn Lovey. The 16-year-old's community helped raise the money to get her first album made.

Lovey's soulful and unique rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" got Blake and Alicia to turn around.

"Literally, for the first time in my life, I pictured myself, while you were singing, me riding a unicorn – the kind that has wings – and I was holding a Care Bear," Blake said.

"It's amazing how one man's dream is another man's nightmare," Levine replied.

Despite Blake's pleas, the teen opted to join Team Alicia.

Clarkson continued to fit right in as a judge. Her nerdy sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself is endearing. She also really enjoys teaming up with Levine to get under Shelton's skin.

Former child actor and boy band member Dylan Hartigan got Clarkson's attention with his version of "Danny's Song." While he wants to focus on folk rock, his moves on stage were totally boy band. And points to anyone who actually listened to his former group, NY5.

Pryor Baird, 35, has been trying to make it in Nashville since 2010. His day job is as project manager for a home restoration company, but he wants to make his full-time job music.

It didn't take long for his bluesy voice to grab the attention of the judges. He got all four chairs to turn around during his version of "I Don't Need No Doctor."

"You look like a man, like a sexy man," Clarkson said noting his unbuttoned shirt.

Baird ended up taking a seat while the judges battled it out over him. And in a night where Shelton was struggling to add to his team, he ended up with one of the most sought-after singers of the night.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.