Night one of The Voice Season 27 playoffs kicked off on Monday, showcasing a dazzling array of performances from all contestants, which left Adam Levine and Kelsea Ballerini grappling with challenging decisions as they head into the next stage. Each judge is tasked with selecting two contestants from their respective teams to proceed to the Live Shows, where the top eight artists will compete in the highly anticipated Semi-Finals. However, after Levine and Ballerini finalized their choices, many fans were left scratching their heads regarding the elimination of one particular singer.

Despite delivering one of the most exhilarating performances of the evening, Darius J was not selected to move forward to the Live Shows. His jazzy and soulful rendition of OutKast’s international hit “Hey Ya!” astonished both the judges and the live audience; however, it wasn’t sufficient to sway Levine or Ballerini into advancing him beyond this round. This unexpected outcome puzzled many viewers who tuned into The Voice on Monday night, as it appeared both judges were genuinely impressed with Darius and would advocate for his progression to the next phase. Levine, who previously coached Darius, specifically lauded the originality of his performance, likening his unique vocal style to that of one of his fellow judges. “There’s only one Darius J … It was so different and so cool. It was almost like ‘Bublé Ya!’ I’m just really proud of you, man, excellent job tonight dude.”

Darius J Faces Unexpected Elimination Despite Captivating the Judges

In addition to Levine’s praise, Ballerini also expressed her admiration for Darius, who she utilized her final steal on during the April 14 episode of The Voice. She revealed that she was absolutely captivated by his overall presentation and believed that audiences across America were equally enamored with him. “I’m like a moth to a flame with you … I’m just so attracted to your artistry. And I wish that I could jump through all the TVs right now and just watch everyone fall in love with you,” she exclaimed. “You just make everyone feel like a warm hug.” If Levine and Ballerini’s enthusiastic feedback wasn’t enough to assure fans of Darius’ strong potential for advancing to the Live Shows, John Legend further elevated the conversation by comparing Darius’ powerful voice to legendary artists Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. The overwhelming accolades from the judges regarding Darius and his distinctive performance raise the pressing question of why he wasn’t selected to continue to the Semi-Finals. What elements did Ballerini see in her other contestants that led her to overlook Darius? It seems that personal taste and song selection may have played significant roles in her decision.

Ballerini Opted for Modern Hits Over Darius J’s Unique Style

Instead of advancing Darius, Ballerini chose to move forward with Iris Herrera and Alanna Lynise, both of whom opted to perform contemporary songs. Herrera, who has garnered attention for her Janis Joplin-esque voice, captivated the judges with her rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse.” In contrast, Lynise received accolades for her performance of SZA’s “Nobody Gets Me,” as both contestants shone brightly during the first playoff week. Though it appeared surprising that Ballerini would not select Darius to join either competitor, it was evident that she preferred the contestant who delivered a country song and the artist who chose to sing one of the most popular tracks of the 2020s.

Undoubtedly, both Herrera and Lynise possess remarkable vocal talent, yet the judges’ enthusiastic reactions to Darius’ performance suggested he was a strong candidate for the next stage. Furthermore, the audience expressed their disappointment over Darius’ elimination, with numerous fans taking to social media to voice their admiration for his vocal prowess and charismatic personality. While Darius’ journey may have been abruptly halted due to Ballerini’s preference for a more modern sound, he undeniably has the potential to forge a successful career following his exit.

Despite the impressive performances throughout The Voice, it seemed the judges were particularly fond of Darius J’s show-stopping act; nonetheless, Ballerini did not perceive him as worthy enough to continue competing in the upcoming round. Darius’ creative spirit and distinctive approach to the competition have unfortunately been sidelined, but whether Ballerini’s choice was indeed the right one will unfold in due course. Moreover, if contestants like Herrera and Lynise fail to dazzle in the Semi-Finals, Ballerini may very well regret not retaining Darius, who could have been a formidable contender for victory. The Voice airs every Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with all episodes available for streaming on Peacock.

Source: Entertainment Weekly