Plus, more memorable moments from The Voice finale and who has signed up to coach Season 26
THE Voice has been slammed for giving credit to the wrong artist after one contestant covered their song during the finale.
Season 25 of The Voice aired the first part of its finale on Monday night, with contestant Nathan Chester performing two numbers for Team Legend.
Contestant Nathan Chester took the stage for Team Legend during Monday’s finale of The Voice, performing his rendition of A Song For YouCredit: Getty
Fans slammed the show after the series gave credit to Donny Hathaway as being the original artist of the song, rather than Leon RussellCredit: Getty
Last night’s performances garnered mixed reactions from viewers as the Top 5 finalists took the stage one last timeCredit: Getty
For his second performance of the night, he sang a rendition of A Song for You, which pianist Leon Russell originally recorded in 1970.
Donny Hathaway released a version of the song shortly after, and was given credit by the competition reality series following Nathan’s performance.
“Safe to say we’re BLOWN AWAY by Nathan Chester’s radiant rendition of “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway,” The Voice wrote on X alongside a clip of Nathan singing.
While many fans praised the finalist’s emotional rendition, some called the show out for crediting Donny with the song.
“If you’re a musician then at least give credit to the correct artist that wrote A Song For You, which is Leon Russell! Not Donny Hathaway who covered it,” one person tweeted back.
“The Voice (A Song For You ) is a Leon Russell Song he wrote it and performed it in 1970 . Google It !” a second slammed.
“It’s not Donny Hathaway! The credit goes to Leon Russell, why do ppl always forget that,” a third wrote, as a fourth replied, “Thank you! Drives me crazy!”
Along with Nathan, contestant Bryan Olesen is also in the finals for John Legend’s team this season.
Reba McEntire, 69, has two contestants remaining in the competition as well: Asher HaVon and Josh Sanders.
Coaches Dan + Shay have one contestant remaining, Karen Waldrup, while coach Chance the Rapper has no singers left.
FINALE MOMENTS
Monday night’s two-hour airing was full of emotional performances that garnered mixed reactions from viewers.
Karen, the sole finalist for Dan + Shay, received backlash for her first performance of the night as she took on Rascal Flatts’ What Hurts the Most.
The singer received a standing ovation from the panel, with coach Dan even saying her performance would “win her The Voice.”
Many viewers, however, thought the country pop duo had “doomed” her with the song choice and arrangement, adding that it didn’t quite suit her voice.
“Karen and Dan and Shay should have attempted to change the arrangement of this song for Karen, or find better ways to let her breathe,” one person wrote on X.
“The thing is, Karen has an amazing voice and range with the right song,” a second tweeted.
“This song is doing karen no favors im afraid. a big step down from her performance last week,” a third noted.
“Dan + Shay’s arrangement doomed Karen. Love them but that was a bad call,” another slammed on Instagram.
Along with Karen, contestant Bryan also had fans discussing his performances on social media after he took the stage in the finale.
Dan + Shay were slammed for ‘dooming’ their only finalist, Karen Waldrup, with her song arrangement as she performed a Rascal Flatts hitCredit: NBC
Bryan Olesen made his coach, John Legend, tear up with his emotional rendition of Beautiful ThingsCredit: NBC
Bryan had John in tears after performing his rendition of Beautiful Things by Benson Boone.
“You know, I was so moved by it because it feels like when you’re singing it, you know what it means to lose something…” John said.
“…And I felt that, I really felt it,” he added.
John’s eyes welled with tears as Bryan attempted to hold his emotion back after receiving the feedback.
Bryan was slammed online, however, after singing Freedom! ’90 by George Michael.
One viewer took to X and wrote, “This guy needs to apologize to George Michael. D**n, that was awful.”
“I would like Freedom… from Bryan’s mangling of a George Michael classic,” another said.
FUTURE OF THE VOICE
When it comes to Season 26 of the ABC show, fans can expect a whole new dynamic with three different coaches.
While Reba just signed on for Season 25, she will be the only returning coach next season.
John, who has been on the show since Season 19, will not be coming back for Season 26.
Dan + Shay will also be saying goodbye to the series to go on tour this year but hinted at a possible return in the future.
Fans will see Gwen Stefani return to her seat next season despite her husband, Blake Shelton, still being absent from the show.
Reba and Gwen will be joined by rapper Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé to round out the panel.
The Season 25 winner will be crowned on Tuesday night as the show prepares to make major changes to the coaching panel next seasonCredit: NBC
Newcomer Reba McEntire is the only coach set to return for Season 26 as Dan + Shay hinted at a possible return in the futureCredit: Getty
Reba will be joined by returning coach Gwen Stefani as well as Snoop Dogg and Michael BubleCredit: Getty
