The Voice: Blake Shelton cheers on three contestants in finale as John Legend supports sole singer
The four finalists on The Voice debuted their original songs on Monday during the first part of the NBC show's season 16 finale.
With three contestants in the final four, Blake Shelton's team loomed large, but John Legend's sole remaining singer Maelyn Jarmon, 26, delivered a potentially season-winning performance.
Maelyn, of Frisco, Texas, got the evening started with Wait For You—the lyrics of which she said were especially meaningful for her as she struggled with relationship challenges.
Show veteran: Blake Shelton cheered on his three singers as the four finalists performed Monday during the first part of the season 16 finale of The Voice
Her sweet, soaring voice won plaudits from all of the judges.
'I believe that you are the person that should be winning this thing—I really do,' said coach Adam Levine, 40.
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Contestants were also tasked with singing a duet with their coaches and performing a cover.
John sang Nat King Cole's Unforgettable with Maelyn, who said his voice reminded her of the famed singer's.
New judge: New coach John Legend only had one singer, Maelyn Jarmon, in the finals
The Grammy winner also recalled how he won a local Star Search competition with the song.
Maelyn closed the show with a cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, earning a standing ovation.
'She puts her own spin on every song she does,' marveled John, 40. 'This was my first season, Maelyn was my first artist, and I think she's going to get first place on The Voice.'
Own spin: Maelyn closed the show with a cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and earned a standing ovation
'I don't know how it would be possible for you NOT to win this show,' Adam reiterated.
Soulful country artist Dexter Roberts, 27, gave her a run for the money with his original, Looking Back, which called to mind old relationships.
'This is right in your wheelhouse,' said Blake. 'You're gonna be singing this for years to come.'
Country singer: Dexter Roberts also impressed with his original song Looking Back
'You're my favorite country vocalist so far in this competition… but even more than that, dude, I just like your person,' noted coach Kelly Clarkson, 37. 'You're [so] authentic.'
'You're the most ready of everyone to step into that place and become a superstar right now,' added Blake.
Dexter also belted out Randy Houser's crowd-pleaser Anything Goes.
Pop star: Kelly Clarkson told Dexter that he was her favorite country artist so far in the competition
'I went through so much to be here,' confessed the Fayette, Alabama resident, who faced a life-threatening illness a few years ago. 'I want to sell out arenas and have my music on the radio.'
Andrew Sevener, 22, performed a blistering version of his original song, Rural Route Raising.
'When I heard the song, I was thinking, ''How can I perform this?'' said the young man from Alvarado, Texas. 'I need a flamethrower. Maybe coming out of my guitar.'
'That song is like Travis Tritt,' said his coach, Blake, referring to the artist whose song, Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde, Andrew performed in the cross-battles earlier in the season. 'Speaking of Travis Tritt, you're singing with him [tomorrow].'
Original song: Andrew Sevener, 22, performed a blistering version of his original song, Rural Route Raising
'I'm gonna hug you,' an excited Andrew said.
The judges liked it, too.
'You've just come into your own,' declared John.
The judges: Adam Levine, John, Kelly and Blake watched as the final four performed during the two-hour finale
John also made it clear that he was a fan of Andrew's music.
'People think I'm a city slicker, but my family lived on County Line Road, in Ohio, so I can relate to this stuff,' John said.
'Is that near Country Club Road?' Blake joked.
Music fan: John made it clear that he was a fan of Andrew's music
To Andrew, he said: 'You've never sang better this entire season.'
For his cover, Andrew chose Lips Of An Angel, by Hinder.
'Whaaaaat?' Kelly screamed. 'That was so good!'
Getting better: Andrew was told by his coach Blake that it was his best performance yet
'If I had to pick among Team Blake, as of now, I would pick Andrew,' John agreed.
Gyth Rigdon, 25, wrote his own original song, Proof I've Always Loved You, which talks about soulmates.
He dated it to the time he had just begun dating his own 'soulmate,' his wife.
Own song: Gyth Rigdon, 25, wrote his own original song, Proof I've Always Loved You, which talks about soulmates.
'You really do have it all,' said Adam.
Gyth grew up on a horse farm in Singer, Louisiana and always idolized his coach Blake's music.
'It's hard to make dreams happen in a small town, but not impossible,' he offered.
Full circle: The singer grew up on a horse farm in Singer, Louisiana and always idolized his coach Blake's music
As he prepared to say goodbye to the show, he paid tribute to his coach again by performing the song Once In A Blue Moon, by Earl Thomas Conley—Blake's hero.
Conley passed away in April and Blake predicted the performance would mean a lot to country fans.
Kelly, who is a fan of Conley's, agreed saying: 'This is my favorite song that anyone has played this whole show.'
Paying tribute: Gyth paid tribute to his coach again by performing the song Once In A Blue Moon, by Earl Thomas Conley—Blake's hero
'I know… Earl's family back home [is] so proud that you did that song and that you honored him in this way tonight,' Blake said.
Blake also performed duets with his contestants, rocking out to Free's All Right Now with Andrew; singing the Travis Tritt version of the Eagles' Take it Easy with Gyth; and belting out Hard Workin' Man by Brooks and Dunn with Dexter.
The show also featured a chat with some of the stars of Songland, the NBC show out May 28 that's devoted to aspiring songwriters. A preview was shown during the commercial break.
Teaming up: Blake also performed duets with his contestants, rocking out to Free's All Right Now with Andrew
The season 16 finale of The Voice on Tuesday will feature appearances by Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, K-Pop superstars BTS, Halsey and more.
The winner will be crowned at the end of the two-hour finale on NBC.
Chevel Shepherd, 16, won season 15 of The Voice in December with Kelly as her coach.
Sweet voice: Maelyn had the crowd clapping along as she performed
