‘The Voice’ Recap: Lizzo Shines as Battles Begin With Historic Twist

‘The Voice’ recap is here for Season 28’s first Battles round, which aired on Monday, October 13, and it came with a game-changing twist. For the first time ever, artists chose their own duet partners, while coaches selected the songs. Superstar guest advisors like Lizzo, Lewis Capaldi, Kelsea Ballerini, and Nick Jonas joined forces with the coaches to guide contestants through intense head-to-head performances.

The night marked a major turning point for this season, with emotional performances, bold coaching decisions, and dramatic steals shaping the future of each team. Lizzo’s appearance on Team Snoop added star power and strategy to a round full of surprises.

Snoop Dogg, LizzoTrae Patton/NBC

Lizzo’s Game-Changing Advice Steals the Spotlight

Season 28 of ‘The Voice’ saw its Battles kick off with a fresh new dynamic. Instead of coaches pairing contestants, singers themselves decided their duet partners, adding a layer of strategy and chemistry to their performances. Coaches Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg then selected songs that would test and showcase their artists’ range.

Lizzo, serving as Team Snoop’s battle advisor, brought energy and sharp insight to rehearsals. She pushed contestants to lean into their strengths and deliver more dynamic performances. “When you’re born with something and it comes easy to you, sometimes we don’t push,” she told Natalia Albertini and Yoshihanaa, who performed Carole King’s classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Yoshihanaa’s flawless vocals won the round, while Natalia was saved by Snoop.

Kanard Thomas and Kenny Iko also impressed with Joe’s “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do).” Lizzo urged them to experiment with their vocal ranges, which paid off in a soulful, crowd-pleasing performance. Kenny claimed victory, while Kanard was eliminated.

Standout Battles Deliver Powerful Performances

Team Reba saw powerhouse vocalists Aaron Nichols and Daron Lameek tackle “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.” Despite their strong chemistry, Aaron’s versatility earned him the win, while Daron was sent home. Meanwhile, Team Bublé’s Jazz McKenzie and Trinity turned Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” into a showcase of vocal fireworks. Jazz advanced, and Trinity was saved by Michael after all three other coaches attempted a steal.

Team Niall delivered one of the night’s most memorable duels with Dustin Dale Gaspard and Revel Day performing Hozier’s “Too Sweet.” Both impressed with soulful deliveries, but Dustin’s raw power edged him ahead, leaving Revel eliminated. Later, Austin Gilbert and Rob Cole brought country energy to Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee.” Rob won, but Austin found a new home on Team Reba after being stolen.

Updated Teams and What’s Next

After the intense first round of Battles, the teams are beginning to take shape. Team Bublé boasts strong voices like Jazz McKenzie and Rob Cole, while Team Reba added Austin Gilbert and continues to grow its powerhouse roster. Team Niall retains Dustin Dale Gaspard, and Team Snoop’s lineup now includes standout Yoshihanaa and Kenny Iko.

The Battles round will continue in the coming weeks, with more showdowns, steals, and saves ahead. With Lizzo’s mentorship setting a high bar and the new format injecting fresh energy into the competition, ‘The Voice’ Season 28 is proving to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting yet.

‘The Voice’ recap highlights Lizzo’s powerful influence and the show’s bold new format. As the Battles continue, fans can expect more emotional performances, dramatic saves, and unforgettable moments ahead.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Lizzo’s role in ‘The Voice’ Battles?

Lizzo served as a guest advisor for Team Snoop, helping contestants refine their vocal performances and stage presence.

Q2: What is new about ‘The Voice’ Battles format this season?

For the first time, contestants chose their own duet partners, adding strategy and chemistry to the competition.

Q3: Who were the standout performers in the first Battles episode?

Yoshihanaa, Jazz McKenzie, Dustin Dale Gaspard, and Rob Cole delivered standout performances that impressed both coaches and audiences.

Q4: Did any contestants get stolen or saved?

Yes, Natalia Albertini and Trinity were saved by their coaches, while Austin Gilbert was stolen by Team Reba.

Q5: When do the next Battles episodes air?

The Battles continue next week on NBC, with more duets, steals, and eliminations on the way.