The Voice Season 27 Episode 12 recap: Knockouts close with high stakes and final playoff picks

The Knockouts wrapped up on The Voice Monday night, and the final matchups didn’t disappoint. With only a few spots left in the Playoffs, every performance came with weight — and some tough cuts followed. Contestants gave their all, coaches made strategic picks, and at least one result left fans asking, “Wait, really?”

From disco classics to acoustic heartbreakers, the night had something for everyone. There were standout vocals, surprise eliminations, and even a dramatic on-stage outfit reveal. It’s the kind of episode that reminds viewers just how unpredictable The Voice can be. Some decisions seemed clear-cut; others… not so much.

Whether your favorite advanced or ended their run, one thing’s certain — the competition is tighter than ever. Let’s dive into who rose, who fell, and which choices may come back to haunt the coaches as The Voice heads into its Playoffs.

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Team Legend delivers highs and heartbreaks on The Voice

John Legend’s team saw two Knockouts on Monday, both packed with talent and tricky decisions. In the first, Renzo faced Nell Simmons. Nell gave a high-energy, vocally rich version of “Sweet Thing” that hit all the right notes. Her range and fire made the performance feel like a near-lock.

But Renzo, singing Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” somehow outdid her. His performance had emotional depth and a standout vocal journey that made a huge impact. If Nell was playing it smart, Renzo played it raw — and it worked. He advanced to the Playoffs.

Later, Olivia Kuper Harris took on Jacquelyn George. Jacquelyn sang JoJo’s “Too Little, Too Late” and showed off her range, including a high note close to whistle territory. Olivia responded with a disco spin on “Last Dance” and leaned into the retro vibe. While both singers were solid, Olivia came out on top.

With those choices, Team Legend looks like a serious contender on The Voice.

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Bublé’s team showcases subtle strength on The Voice

Michael Bublé’s team brought an interesting contrast in styles. First up, Adam David performed Allen Stone’s “Unaware.” It’s a low-key song, but Adam made the most of it. His vocal control and nuanced delivery stood out, even though it wasn’t a big, flashy moment.

Carlos Santiago had more room to shine with “You Are the Reason.” It’s a sweeping, emotional ballad — but even with that, Carlos didn’t leave as strong an impression as Adam. The performance was good, but it didn’t quite land as powerfully. Adam took the win.

The second match-up featured Jadyn Cree, daughter of former contestant Bryan Olesen, singing “Keep Holding On.” Her delivery was clean but low on passion. Kameron Jaso, who took on “Say You Won’t Let Go,” showed a wider vocal range, but his falsetto felt like a stretch.

In the end, Jadyn moved on. It was a close call, but Bublé clearly valued consistency. It’s a risky move as The Voice heads into its next round.

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Kelsea makes a controversial cut on The Voice

Team Kelsea’s Knockout was the night’s most debated. Hailey Wright, performing “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” brought the house down with a fun, vocally sharp take on the classic country track — yodel included. It was high-energy, technically sound, and undeniably entertaining.

Jaelen Johnston followed with Noah Kahan’s “Dial f.” The contrast in tone and style was immediate. Jaelen’s performance wasn’t bad, but it didn’t match Hailey’s in either impact or vocal delivery. Coming second didn’t help either — it felt like a step down in energy.

Still, Kelsea picked Jaelen to move forward. The choice caught viewers off guard. Online, fans expressed frustration, questioning the logic of letting Hailey go after such a strong performance. While the decision might have been strategic, it was one of the more surprising moments of the night on The Voice.

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Adam’s team closes the night with a twist on The Voice

Adam Levine had just one Knockout in this episode, but it was a memorable one. Darius J. brought personality, flair, and solid vocals to Estelle’s “American Boy.” His performance was fun and confident — complete with a dramatic skirt removal that revealed leather pants underneath. It was a moment.

Conor James, meanwhile, delivered a quieter take on “Forever Young.” His vocals were mostly solid, though his performance lacked some of the emotional connection that makes the song soar. It was technically fine but didn’t quite reach the same level of engagement as Darius.

Despite that, Conor won. But all wasn’t lost for Darius — Kelsea used her steal and added him to her team. It was a smart move, especially considering the buzz his performance created.

That final switch-up ended the Knockouts with a bang. And with that, all the teams on The Voice are officially locked for the Playoffs.

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With teams set, The Voice gears up for the Playoffs

With the Knockouts done, each coach has shaped a team they believe can win The Voice. The Playoffs are the next big hurdle, where artists will compete for a place in the live shows. From here on out, the stakes only get higher.

Renzo and Adam David stood out this week, while Olivia, Darius, and Hailey (despite the cut) made strong impressions. There’s a mix of powerful vocalists, storytellers, and performers with stage presence. And with steals still in play, the dynamics between teams are already shifting.

Some choices may prove to be bold moves; others could come back to bite. But that’s the nature of The Voice — it’s not just about vocals, it’s about strategy, growth, and timing.

Fans now wait to see which artists can rise under pressure. If the Knockouts were any hint, the Playoffs are going to test everything the coaches and contestants have built so far on The Voice.