‘The Voice’: Adam Levine Faces Intense Fan Backlash After ‘Instant Save’ Controversy
NBC Reading Time: 4 minutes
This week’s The Voice results show turned out to be pretty intense, but what was even MORE intense was the response from fans to what they saw play out on their TV screens.
Going into the episode, Coach Adam Levine had two contestants remaining on his team in the top 10: DeAndre Nico and Reagan Strange. But we had to lose two people this week, meaning that since both of them ended up in the bottom 3, Adam knew he would be losing at least one of them by the end of the night. And to add to the drama of it all, Regan was ill and unable to perform a song for the Instant Save, though she was still eligible to receive it.
DeAndre was able to sing, though, but after he performed his rendition of “Amazed” he was in for an unpleasant surprised from his coach. After briefly praising DeAndre on his performance, Adam urged viewers to vote Regan through to the semi-finals over him.
“I cannot sing for Reagan. Reagan has to sing for Reagan … I have a very special relationship with Reagan, and I have two little girls at home, and the thought of breaking her heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot — to go redeem herself next week — would be too far beneath me.”
We don’t normally hear a coach vouch for one of their artists over another once we get to the later rounds of the show, and viewers did not take too kindly to Adam’s comment. It makes sense that many would be angry, especially when Regan didn’t even “sing for her life” on Tuesday night.
The Fan Reactions
@NBCTheVoice #VoiceSaveDeAndre C’mon now Adam….you threw your own team member under the bus?
— Catherine Phillips (@Catheri08651281) December 5, 2018
Adam is officially the worst coach on the planet. And how the hell is DeAndre supposed to work with a coach who literally just threw him under the bus??? I’m disgusted by Adam right now. #TheVoice #VoiceResults
— Richard (@alltvallshade) December 5, 2018
I could not believe what I watched tonight. What kind of coach asks viewers to support a contestant who didn’t even perform over one of his team who sang his heart out and knocked it out of the park?? Adam Levine, I don’t know how, but you need to make this right! #TheVoice
— Norma Kinsel (@NormaKinsel) December 5, 2018
One coach who has been getting a lot of love from the fans is Kelly Clarkson, who stood up for DeAndre while voting was still going on.
@kelly_clarkson #VoiceResults Thank you for sticking up for DeAndre! Adam failed him in a big way. You are professional and wanted the show to be about the Voice, not some sympathy vote. They put that child on tv with a ROBE on for a reason. Shame on The Voice.
— NaturalNar (@NarNatural) December 5, 2018
@kelly_clarkson #TheVoice Thank you for stepping up to encourage DeAndre after Adam disgracefully used DeAndre’s post-performance time to promote Reagan. That was so crass, I couldn’t believe it! Thank you for smoothing it over.
— Karen Davis (@louskitty) December 6, 2018
In the end, both members of Team Adam easily outvoted Team Blake’s Dave Fenley, but in a very close result, Regan was saved by the viewers and became the final member of Season 15’s top 8. And naturally, this caused the backlash to get worse.
@NBCTheVoice y’all and @adamlevine really screwed the pooch on that call. Total betrayal by Adam and you give Regan a free ride!!! It’s a contest if you can’t compete then BYE!!!
— USMC Hokie Mom (@Wenk1371) December 6, 2018
I’m late watching #TheVoice but I’m upset that America instant saved Regan Strange… She’s talented but she wasn’t able to sing for her spot like the others. It’s a singing competition & I feel like Adam stole that moment from DeAndre. @NBCTheVoice @adamlevine
— Gabby Hart (@GabbyNews3LV) December 5, 2018
Last night’s #TheVoice episode in a nutshell. pic.twitter.com/nPwO3o7ULP
— Adam (@adamssoapbox) December 5, 2018
What Do You Think?
Do you think The Voice did the right thing by letting Regan continue to compete despite not singing for the Instant Save? And is it okay for the coaches to play favorites? Sound off in the comments below!
