The Voice eliminated its first contestant of the final 12 last night, in an emotional episode for entirely different and much bigger reasons.
Tuesday began with a tribute to Team Adam finalist Christina Grimmie from Season 6, who was tragically shot and killed last summer.
Grimmie’s murder at the hands of a deranged “fan” at a concert shook fans to the core nationwide, but none more so than at The Voice.
“As you know, family is very, very important to us here at The Voice,” said host Carson Daly. “And last year we tragically lost one of our own.”
“The incredibly talented and beautiful Christina Grimmie.”
“Tonight, in memory of our good friend and along with Christina’s family, we’re honored to help announce the Christina Grimmie Foundation.”
The foundation, Carson explained, will benefit “those impacted by gun violence, and families just like her own affected by breast cancer.”
The Grimmie family was on hand and clearly moved, even more so when former coach Adam Levine went on to address them directly.
“God, I loved her so much,” Adam told her family.
“I miss her. It is unfair she is not here. We are going to sing a little song. I am going to be singing every word to her in her honor.
“Thank you for being here. Christina, we love you.”
Adam and his remaining Season 12 contestants Mark Isaiah, Lilli Passero, and Jesse Larson then sang “Hey Jude” in Christina’s memory.
After that, The Voice results didn’t feel all that important at all, but following The Voice Top 12 performances Monday, it had to be done.
In a bit of a surprise, Lilli survived, while another Team Adam singer, Mark Isaiah, landed in the bottom two with Team Gwen’s Troy Ramey.
It call came down to the Instant Save …
Troy, who may have come in with a slight edge, did not take advantage of it by electing to perform the Dobie Gray classic, “Drift Away.”
He did a nice job with it, but that’s the type of mellow song you play in the car that makes you smile and, well, drift away in your mind.
A.K.A. not tweet the s–t out of it.
Mark took that opportunity that this left open for him with a rendition of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” that showed some gusto.
Don’t be fooled, he’s no Bruno (no one is, but this wasn’t close), yet the effort, and pure heartfelt nature of the performance was clear.
Adam then made a plea for his fans to bring his singer – his family member – through to next week, and they obliged. Mark was saved.
