It might not have been a slam dunk, but Tutwiler native and Clarksdale resident Mike Steele has advanced in the reality TV music competition, The Voice.
In Monday night’s episode on NBC, Steele and Memphis resident K.J. Willis, both representing Team Legend, went head-to-head during the Battles round, singing a duet of “Let Me Love You,” by R&B singer Mario.
Following the showdown, John Legend, one of the three judges/coaches on the show, was tasked with naming either Steele or Willis as the winner of the round. The loser typically goes home.
Legend complimented the two singers, saying, “This is hard, because you guys both are just phenomenal singers. Your tones are so different from each other. Mike, your tone had so much air around it and it's so, like, round and beautiful. And then I love that vibe of your tone, K.J. ... Both of you are just phenomenally talented and it was just a really great performance. I’m really proud of both of you and I’m excited for both of you.”
He admitted he was “just mad at myself for pairing them,” but when pressed by host Carson Daly to select a winner, Legend ultimately chose Willis to advance.
When Daly asked Steele if he had any words for Legend after his seeming banishment, Steele said, “Man, I’m so grateful to be here. I thank you for turning your chair around for me. I can truly say it’s a dream come true, for sure.”
Immediately following Steele’s remarks, judge/coach Adam Levine hit his big red button to save Steele from elimination.
“It’s a steal for Mike Steele,” said Daly. “Adam uses his one and only steal for Mike.”
Tutwiler native Mike Steele poses for a publicity photo. (Courtesy of Jasmine Rodriguez)
Levine said he thought Legend would pronounce Steele winner of the round.
“When he didn’t, I was so shook, I was like, ‘That means I can have him on my team.’ I was so surprised,” noted Levine, who told Steele, “There’s a tone in your voice that I love, so, man, welcome to my team.”
In a cutaway from the show, Levine is heard saying, “I’m a Mike fan. ... I thought Mike won that one, so it was really kind of easy to try and steal him. Mike adds definitely a facet that I do not have, which is a really strong male vocalist in the kind of R&B vein, and I’m just really happy he’s on my team.”
Later, Levine told Steele, “We’re gonna have fun, man. I missed you the first time but I got you the second time,” referring to the blind audition round when Steele picked Legend to be his coach over Levine and Kelly Clarkson.
Replied Steele, “Yes sir, let’s go. Oh man, it’s crazy. That’s crazy.”
Steele and some of his family and friends gathered for a Monday night watch party to view the recorded episode.
In a Tuesday post on his Facebook page, Steele wrote, “Last night battle was epic!!! I may not be Team Legend no more, but I lived to fight another day thanks to @adamlevine. I will not let you down. Yall stay tuned to see what’s next for me.”
View Monday night's segment featuring Steele and Willis here.
Next up for the competitors is the Knockouts, when singers get to select their own songs showcasing their unique skills in an effort to impress the coaches to keep them. Decisions made in the Knockouts, where there are no saves or steals, will determine the final lineup for the semifinals.
New two-hour episodes air Mondays at 8 central time on NBC and are available to stream the following day on Peacock.
