We McDonald, Brendan Fletcher and Ali Caldwell, all from the Garden State, head to the live playoffs on 'The Voice' season 11. Other contenders this season include Josh Halverson and Aaron Gibson.
Three singers from New Jersey, including early frontrunner We McDonald from Paterson, have advanced to the top 20 of "The Voice" season 11 and will battle it out next week in the live shows for spots in the top 12. McDonald will be joined by fellow New Jersey natives Ali Caldwell and Brendan Fletcher in "The Voice" live shows.
Monday night's episode of "The Voice" featured a number of surprises, including the elimination of Tennessee singer Nolan Neal, who lost to Fletcher in their knockout face off. (Many thought Neal would go far in the competition.) Aaron Gibson beat out another strong contender, Josh Halverson, in their head-to-head competition. (Halverson stays in the competition, having been scooped up by judge Alicia Keys for her team.)
Of the New Jersey contenders, We -- a 17-year-old who is now a jazz vocals major at William Paterson University -- easily scored a berth in the top 20 last week with an assured, powerful version of Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama." We, on Team Alicia Keys, was featured in the run-up to season 11 with a memorably deep "Feeling Good," made all the more impressive in contrast to her high-pitched speaking voice.
Ali Caldwell, born and raised in Woodbridge, performed with the R&B group Xhale but is now a solo artist in New York City, also earned a spot in the top 20 last week with Sade's "No Ordinary Love." She's on Team Miley Cyrus.
And Monday night, Randolph's Brendan Fletcher ensured another week on the show with a raspy rendition of the Allman Brothers' "Soulshine." Fletcher, who now lives in Brooklyn, tours with his brother in Another Brother Band and pays the bills by bartending.
Bindi Liebowitz of Plainfield, who was originally on Adam's team but was stolen by Blake Shelton in the battle rounds, was knocked out last week, and Monday night Josette Diaz, a high school student from Cresskill, was outsung (apparently, producers didn't even show her performance) and sent home by Miley.
During the live playoffs next week, viewers vote to save two singers from each team, and the coaches can save one of the three remaining singers on their teams. The final 12 move on to the live shows.
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.
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