The much-anticipated episode 9 of The Voice season 27 premiered on March 31, 2025, ushering in the dramatic Knockouts phase. During this stage, artists showcased their talents individually in direct matchups, with the decision of who advanced resting solely in the hands of their coaches.
This season brought an exciting twist, allowing each coach—John Legend, Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, and Adam Levine—to utilize one Steal. This provision enabled coaches to select a contestant who had just lost their Knockout match from another team, enriching the competition. Throughout the intense Knockout rounds, sixteen talented singers performed, resulting in eight victors, four eliminated contestants, and an additional four saved through Steals.
Kolby Cordell Stolen by Adam Levine Following Intense Knockout Challenge
In a notable matchup, Team Legend’s BD.ii confronted Kolby Cordell during their Knockout performance. BD.ii opted to sing Back at One by Brian McKnight, aiming to push his vocal abilities, whereas Kolby chose Lately by Stevie Wonder to showcase his stylistic versatility.
During rehearsals, John Legend guided his contestants, emphasizing the importance of capturing the attention of the other coaches for potential Steals. After their captivating performances, Adam Levine expressed he was “transfixed” by BD.ii’s rendition, while he described Kolby as a “discovery” worth investing in.
Kelsea Ballerini noted similarities in Kolby’s tone to John Legend’s “smokiness,” but she felt BD.ii appeared to be the more prepared performer. In contrast, Michael Bublé challenged Adam’s critique of Kolby, appreciating the natural rasp in his voice as an asset rather than a weakness.
Ultimately, John Legend chose BD.ii as the winner of the Knockout. This opened the door for Adam and Michael to use their Steals on Kolby. Adam expressed his genuine admiration for Kolby’s voice, correcting his earlier remark. Kolby ultimately decided to join Team Adam, securing his spot in the competition.
“My voice takes a bad turn when I cry,”John remarked.
Kelsea Ballerini’s Emotional Selections: Iris Advances as Angie Joins Team Michael
The last Knockout of the evening featured Team Kelsea. Angie Rey delivered a heartfelt performance of Dirt Cheap by Cody Johnson, focusing on nostalgic childhood memories, while Iris Herrera captivated audiences with her interpretation of Jolene by Ray LaMontagne, which addressed themes of addiction. Kelsea, moved by both performances, found herself emotionally engaged during rehearsals.
After praising both artists as “firecracker” performers, Kelsea ultimately opted for Iris, citing her emotional vulnerability and growth in her vocal journey as key factors in her decision.
Meanwhile, Michael Bublé used his Steal to save Angie from elimination. He explained that he wanted Angie to have a moment to embrace her coach before transitioning to his team. He expressed his enthusiasm for her voice, noting her ability to fill “that country void”and commending the “wonderful, rich depth” in her vocal delivery.
“Can you just say Michael Bublé is really good looking? Let’s go with incredibly good looking,”he humorously added.
Other notable Knockout results included Lucia Flores-Wiseman triumphing over Grace-Miller Moody, Ethan Eckenroad winning against Trevon Dawson from Team Adam, and Team Kelsea’s Tinika Wyatt defeating Dan Kiernan. From Team Michael, Barry Jean Fontenot emerged victorious over Simone Marijic.
Catch the latest episodes of The Voice available for streaming now on Peacock.