By Ed Diokno
As it turns out, there wasn’t that much to worry about. Amy Vachal is returning next week on The Voice after getting enough votes from the public. The result was a complete contrast from the last two elimination rounds when Vachal had to be “saved” by her mentor/coach Adam Levine when she didn’t garner enough votes from the viewing audience.
The Filipina American singer will compete with the rest of the Top 11 including favorite Jordan Smith, Jeffery Austin, Emily Ann Roberts, Madi Davis, Braiden Sunshine, Barrett Baber, Evan McKeel, Shelby Brown, Korin Bukowski and Zach Seabaugh.
On Monday (Nov. 16), Amy took a risk and did a cover of Drake’s Hotline Bling. The 26-year old New Jersey singer via Brooklyn accompanied herself on electric guitar and put her own smooth and sultry twist on a song that is currently No. 2 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart.
According to the judges, she made an elegant and classic performance. Her coach Adam said, she took risks and created a great version of the contemporary song, instead of reworking old standards like she has done in previous performances. The strategy apparently worked.
“Wow,” said Pharrell Williams, Vachal’s former coach. “You always make songs yours. It’s an amazing uncanny ability that not many people have. I’m happy for you. It’s the reason I pushed my button for you in the very beginning and the reason I’m happy you are now with Adam. The idea that you can come out here and take such creative license and bring so much of you — all of that Brooklyn, New York jazz element to that song in that way is a beautiful thing. It’s why I like doing this show.”
“Amy, I think you made a really brave choice in listening to me on this. I know that this was a weird choice,” said coach Adam Levine. “You took a risk and did something bold. I want that version of that song in my life and that didn’t exist until now. You put an entirely new spin of a really great song and you should be so proud of the artist you are evolving into. That was so cool.”
Indeed, her version of Drake’s song finished No. 6 among iTunes downloads during the 14-hour voting period after the eastern timezone airing of The Voice. Fellow contestant Jordan Smith’s moving rendition of Great Is Thy Faithfulness finished No. 1. Some speculate that Smith is the one to beat this year. He is the only one to draw on his faith, a major attraction for a large segment of the voting audience, especially in the context of the Paris attacks.
Vachals’ Facebook page has been getting worldwide commentary. Phyl Carm Alfano of Brick said Vachal is “the only reason to watch The Voice this season.” She, like others, were unnerved by the last second save.
“I’m glad Adam kept you on the show, but I think the show does lot of things for effect,” she said. “I can’t believe you were ever at risk. Keep on keeping on.”
Vachal has apparently generated a following in the Philippines, where her mother was born. Cez Lee of Quezon City, Philippines said:
“So proud and happy for you,” she said. “We thank God and Adam Levine, who believes in you. We, your followers are praying for your success.”
The remaining contestants will continue to compete until the Dec. 15 show, when one is named The Voice and receives a recording contract as the grand prize.
Enjoy Vachal’s performance below:
How to vote on The Voice
There is a strict 14 hour voting window from the end of the show (between 9:55 p.m. ET to 12 p.m. ET the following day). That seems unfair for the voters on the West Coast because their voting period is done at 9 p.m. PST. Voters from Hawaii, where Vachal receives a lot of support have an even shorter period to vote. Each person can vote up to 40 times total (10 votes per each of the four ways).
1. iTunes: downloading a song counts as 10 votes. (Bonus: if it reaches the top ten on the charts it gets multiplied by 10.) (1 download per person = 10 votes)
2. Facebook: vote on The Voice Facebook page via this link. (up to 10 times per person total)
3. The App : Download The Voice App on your phone (up to 10 times total)
4. NBC.com : (up to 10 times total) #TheVoice
