Introduction Of Trios Raises Some Eyebrows
Season 16 of The Voice is only in the battle rounds, and we’ve already got our first uproar on our hands.
Prior to the season’s debut, the show announced that it would be allowing trios to compete for the first time. In the past, only solo singers and duos were allowed to try out for The Voice in the U.S., while iterations of the show in other countries have allowed trios.
In fact, a trio named O’G3NE actually won The Voice in the Netherlands back in 2014.
Even though trios have been part of the show in other countries for some time now, the U.S. fans weren’t as accepting when news came down that trios could now audition in front of coaches John Legend, Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Blake Shelton.
People flocked to social media to express their displeasure over the addition of trios to the show.
https://twitter.com/stingertail11/status/1100617485479374848
While they’re really good, it’s not really fair to the solo performers. After all, they are a Band not just a Voice. Perhaps a new show called the Band is in order then you can have duos, trios, heck you can have a choir if you want, just not on a show called The Voice (singular)
— Rio Kelley Loves JESUS 💎 (@RealRioKelley) February 27, 2019
The Battle That Brought On Backlash
But the decision to allow trios had already been made, and the first-ever U.S. Voice trio auditioned and blew the coaches away with their performance. Named The Bundys, the sibling group displayed their outstanding ability to harmonize with each other while singing the Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine.”
Both Shelton and Clarkson turned their chairs, and the trio ended up selecting back-to-back winner Clarkson as their coach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LIBWWVgJFs
When it came time for the battle rounds, Clarkson paired The Bundys against one of her other most promising contestants…14-year-old Mikaela Astel.
The young singer’s blind audition impressed the majority of viewers, with many saying they felt she had the potential to win the whole show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M285635vTq4
But when it came time for her to compete against The Bundys in her battle, Astel let her nerves show through the sound of her powerful voice. Still, she managed to hold her own against the group, and actually sang lead for most of the song.
Following her performance, all of the coaches noted her nerves, but recognized that it must have been terrifying for her to compete against a trio.
In the end, Clarkson wanted to choose someone she felt was prepared for the lives, and because Astel had seemed nervous, she decided that someone, or rather, someones, were The Bundys.
. @TheBundysMusic and @mikaelaastel bring you the first ever four-person Battle. 😱
🎶: “Song Bird” – @fleetwoodmachttps://t.co/USNggr33BN
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 26, 2019
Fans Vent Their Frustrations
Clarkson’s choice caused an immense amount of backlash from fans, who question why the coach pitted the well-experienced trio against the young Astel.
So sad @kelly_clarkson put Mikalia w/a trio. She has fantastic, unique voice. Was so unfair.
In fact, having trios/duets on the show is a bad idea all around. How can they be compared when the 'instruments' are so different?@NBCTheVoice @adamlevine @blakeshelton @johnlegend
— Kelly C (@Earthengal2) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/pbpetrey/status/1110348342511448065
That was a totally unfair pairing. The young girl should have been paired with someone close to her age group. The trio was good, but they should of had an artist closer to their talent to compete with. Three against one not cool.
— Karen (@artnsew) March 26, 2019
Others are angry at the show itself for even allowing trios to compete in the first place. The recurring argument from fans is that since the show is called “The Voice” in the singular sense, that only solo singers should be welcome…no duos, and certainly no trios.
https://twitter.com/onebizzylizzy/status/1110354616208769029
@NBCTheVoice #VoiceBattles if you ever have duos or trios you should make sure they are paired together. So if one group auditions they can’t be on the show unless a second group auditions. You would have to make sure they are on one team if that’s possible.
— Marie (@coconutfemme) March 26, 2019
This rule needs to change. It shouldn't be one person facing off against 3 or 2 even. I know it's not your fault but producers need to fix
— joey mcclure (@jrdunnit) March 26, 2019
No matter what the fans may say, the decision has already been made, and was actually made some time ago. The battle rounds are pre-filmed long before they air, so for all we know The Bundys may not make it through their knockout performance (also pre-filmed), or Clarkson may decide to bring Astel back as her comeback artist.
Despite the angering outcome, the quartet’s battle has been hailed as one of the best of the season so far. They performed Fleetwood Mac‘s “Songbird,” and it’s absolutely stunning. Go ahead and watch it below.
What do y’all think about this whole ordeal? Do you think it’s unfair to have trios on the show? Or do you like the potential that artists like The Bundys have? We’d love to hear your thoughts.