Why Kelly Clarkson Called This Season’s Knockouts on The Voice “Really Cutthroat”

“It’s like Hunger Games,” The Voice Coach said just as Season 29’s Knockouts kicked off.

If all the competition shows on television, The Voice has a reputation as being one of the kindest, with the Coaches always striving to offer helpful feedback and support to Artists even when sending them home. On The Voice: Battle of Champions, Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine have all upheld the show’s tradition of making each Artist the best they can be. But now that Season 29 has reached the Knockouts, the competition is simply too fierce to ignore.

Why The Voice: Battle of Champions Knockouts are “really cutthroat”

How to Watch

Watch The Voice Mondays at 9/8c on NBC and next day on Peacock.

Simply put, the Coaches don’t have any secret weapons at their disposal during this stage of the competition.

“There’s no Steal and Save … It’s really cutthroat, it goes from six to three [Artists per team]. It’s like Hunger Games,” said Clarkson during the first night of Knockouts, referencing the book and movie series about a dystopian America where teenagers fight to the death for the amusement of the rich. She’s not saying that the Artists are taking each other down the way, say, Katniss avenged Rue’s death (IYKYK), she just meant that sending someone home from what is, after all, a competitive TV show feels a little like sounding the canon for a tribute.

One of Team Kelly’s “country dudes” Houston Kelly, remarked during Knockouts rehearsals, “It’s like we’re in a big ole pressure cooker, and that stinks, but that’s the way competition goes.” Fortunately, those who don’t win their Knockout don’t get boiled, they just have to go home to keep working on their art.

Houston Kelly and JW Griffin appear on The Voice Season 29 Episode 6.

Photo: Griffin Nagel/NBC

The Voice: Battle of Champions

The Voice Season 29 is shaking things up, premiering on Monday, February 23 at 9/8c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.

Officially titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, Season 29 features the show’s first-ever three-Coach lineup, putting The Voice OGs Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and John Legend back in the red chairs for an epic showdown.

The Voice Season 29 will also introduce fresh format updates such as the “Triple Turn Competition” and the “Super Steal.” You also won’t want to miss the exciting return of CeeLoo Green in a totally new role.

Kelly Clarkson wishes she could “pair people together” on The Voice

Light spoilers ahead: in the first Hunger Games story, Katniss and Peeta eventually win the game on their own terms by teaming up and becoming co-champions… and that’s kind of what Clarkson wants for The Voice!

“I wish I had — I don’t know if it’s ever been done on this show — I wish you could just be like, pairing! And you could like, pair people together,” she pitched after hearing two equally talented Artists, Drew Russell and Jared Shoemaker, blend their voices together perfectly singing “Leather and Lace” during the last night of Battles performances on March 23.

“Honestly, after hearing you together, I think you should be a duo!” Clarkson told the pair. “I actually think the both of you compliment each other and you actually make each other better. That’s why I said the group thing, and it’s unexpected, which makes it more exciting as a fan.” Time for a duos-based spin-off?

Drew Russel and Jared Shoemaker during The Voice Season 29 Episode 05.

Photo: Griffin Nagel/NBC

Don’t miss what happens next during the Knockouts by watching The Voice: Battle of Champions on Monday, April 6, 9/8c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.