Pain for Usher as his clone Vedo is kicked off The Voice... while Shakira is left saddened as she says goodbye to rocker Garrett Gardner

PUBLISHED: 01:02 EST, 15 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:58 EST, 15 May 2013

They say there is no substitute for experience.

And Usher and Shakira were no doubt ruing their lack of nous as two of their acts were kicked off The Voice on Tuesday.

It was bad news for the R&B star's 19-year-old clone Vedo and the She Wolf favourite's 17-year-old rocker Garrett Gardner, with the latter no doubt cursing his mentor's decision to have him sing an effeminate version of I Want It That Way by The Backstreet Boys.

Not-so-dynamic duo: Usher and Shakira looked glum after having an act each eliminated from The Voice

Usher looked stunned when he learned Vedo was leaving.

'You guys have been incredible,' Carson told them as the results were read out.

Vedo, whose mother died after learning he had got on to the show, was singled out earlier and asked what it would mean to him to continue.

'Surviving would mean the world to me,' he said.

'It allows me more time to be an inspiration to the younger people who look up to me.'

No laughing matter: Garrett Gardner smirked as Vedo was kicked off but he would not be smiling for long

Doh: Garret was left ruing his over-confidence when he was also unceremoniously given the boot

Alas he was left to mull a high profile snubbing by the American public instead.

Team Shakira's Garrett, who had been on the show in a previous season but failed to advance, also professed some unfounded confidence when he said: 'It doesn't prove anything if you don't try again.

'I didn't make it the first time and look where I am now.'

He will no doubt be wishing he chose his words more wisely after his latest public humbling.

The air conditioning was fixed, but that didn't stop the remaining 12 contestants on The Voice from sweating during the live elimination show.

Reason to be smug: Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were smiling after coming through the show unscathed

On Monday night judge Usher was forced to strip off his shirt when the studio cooling system broke down, but the issues had been resolved by the following night in time for the tense hour-long episode.

'It's nice and cool, let's do it,' said host Carson Daly at the start of the show.

The contestants anxiously waited to see which two of them would be sent home as they were whittled down to 10 ahead of next week's live shows.

'Every team has work to do,' said judge Adam Levine at the start.

He joined the rest of the contestants on stage as they learned the first two people to be 'saved' - Kris Thomas, from Team Shakira, and The Swon Brothers, from Team Blake.

Marching to the gallows: There was plenty of perspiration flowing onstage as Carson Daly kicked off proceedings

Looking good: The saucy Colombian was looking curvier than usual in this sparkling outfit

They looked delighted as they heard the news.

The next two artists to learn they were safe were Team Adam's Sarah Simmons, and former model Josiah Hawley from Team Usher.

As the numbers on stage dwindled, it emerged that Judith Hill from Team Adam and Danielle Bradberry, from Team Blake, the youngest person on the competition, were also moving on to next week's show, leaving the six remaining hopefuls to tensely wait it out.

'I will announce the names of two more artists saved by America's votes,' said Carson Daly.
He then revealed that Team Usher's bespectacled rocker Michelle Chamuel was safe.

She was nervously gripping Vedo's hand as they learned that one of them would be moving on. And they appeared to be saying, 'I hope it's you' to one another as they waited for the name to be read out.

Thicke as thieves: Robin was joined by Pharell Williams as he performed his tune Blurred Lines

Taking advantage: Blake took to the stage with his team to perform Play Something Country by Brooks & Dunn

Michelle, who admitted she hasn't always fitted in, said earlier: 'I realize that fitting in wasn't exactly what I was hoping for.

'Being here has been such an incredible opportunity. Thank you for appreciating me for who I am.'
Amber Carrington from Team Adam was also saved - meaning all three of Levine's team were through, prompting him to jump out of his chair and punch the air in celebration.

'With exactly three minutes left in this broadcast I stand her with four artists left,' said Carson Daly.

The show also saw soul star Robin Thicke perform Blurred Lines, with a little help from Pharell Williams and T.I., and Voice contestants Vedo and Kris Thomas.

Blake Shelton also took to the stage with his team to perform Play Something Country by Brooks & Dunn.

Then there were four: When the musical interludes were over it was finally time for the axe to fall

Victory hug: This pair were overjoyed when they discovered they had scraped through another week

Lady Antebellum joined the women of Team Adam to sing hit Goodbye Town.

Singer Hillary Scott has been a mentor for Levine's team this series.

And later the Maroon 5 frontman performed with his team, singing a slowed-down, reggae-tinged cover of The Cure hit, Lovesong.

The contestants also did a 'video confessional' in which they revealed secrets about themselves and others - with Zach from The Swon Brothers showing how he could make his face look like the scary masks from horror franchise, Scream.

And Carson Daly wished Blake and his 'much better half,' wife Miranda Lambert a happy wedding anniversary.

'It's so good to be spending it here,' Blake joked sarcastically.

Consolation hug: At least Vedo will be able to boast that he got to grips with Shakira after getting the boot

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Danielle Bradbery from team Blake will win this year. There is no doubt about it.

- KayleaSepulvado , Zwolle, United States, 16/5/2013 14:11

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I think this seaon,the winner might be Judith,or Sarah?! I vote for Sarah.Green arrow me if you vote for her for this season's champion too :)

- DV86 , Chongqing, China, 16/5/2013 10:00

Click to rate Rating 1

I wish that Josiah had been voted off. Sadly, because most of the voting is done by teenage girlies, I fear that he might win.He is too sure of himself and one can tell that he thinks he's the bees knees. When he's singing he gets so close to the mike that his nose squashes up against it. What's that all about? Vedo is like a throwback from the 80s with his outdated singing style and dance moves and Garrett really just got on my nerves from day one. So I am glad that both were voted off. There are some fantastic female singers this year and I really hope one of them wins. Michelle seems like a nice girl but all that squatting and grabbing her jacket while singing is irritating and Usher did tell her to stop the squatting but she didn't. Someone should tell her to ditch the glasses for contacts too - but I think she hides behind them. I could continue to watch The Voice just to watch Usher who is absolutely sex on legs and seems like a really genuinely nice guy.

- Trainergirl , Canada, 15/5/2013 18:41

Click to rate Rating 3

Last season The Voice was awesome...this season isn't grabbing me as much. Still, The Voice is infinitely better than American Idol and the like.

- grenouille , NYC, United States, 15/5/2013 16:17

Click to rate Rating 31

All of Adam's team mates out sung him last night. They all have beautiful voices.

- Deedee62 , Anywhere, United States, 15/5/2013 15:57

Click to rate Rating 22

Why are we talking about the American voice? Is this not a British newspaper? - Jess , Aberdeen, United Kingdom ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's listed under the US Showbiz section. If you really desire to erase all things American from your life, then just don't click the tab! It's not rocket science. It's a choice.

- LyndaB , Naugatuck USA, 15/5/2013 14:09

Click to rate Rating 44

They get Shakira and Usher, we get Danny from The Script and JJJJJJJJessie J. Does anybody even watch this show?

- Joe , Nottingham, United Kingdom, 15/5/2013 10:53

Click to rate Rating 48

Why are we talking about the American voice? Is this not a British newspaper?

- Jess , Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 15/5/2013 10:13

Click to rate Rating 31

Shakira is sooooo beautiful!

- actors , here, United Kingdom, 15/5/2013 09:57

Click to rate Rating 134

yawn,, and the British versions even worst,, god help us ,