Teen Singer On 'The Voice' Moves Gwen Stefani And Conflicts Coach Blake Shelton With Performance

Nov 10, 2022

We’ve seen countless artists take over "The Voice" stage over the years, and most of them do not disappoint. Running for more than 10 years already on NBC, the reality singing competition continues to produce high-caliber talents and give opportunities to those who are still starting in the business. 

On Sept. 19, 2022, the Season 22 of “The Voice” premiered, featuring a new roster of coaches on their respective chairs. “Havana” singer Camila Cabello was the latest addition to the group after replacing Season 21’s Ariana Grande. Country music star Gwen Stefani also makes a comeback this season, taking over Kelly Clarkson’s spot. Meanwhile, EGOT Award-winning singer John Legend is going strong for his seventh season on the show, along with “The Voice’s” most beloved coach, Blake Shelton. 

The four coaches’ banter is impeccable, especially with the addition of Cabello in the mix. While coaches come and go throughout the years, undiscovered talents and untapped potentials seem to be far from over. 

In “The Voice,” the contestants per team have to go through a stringent process: After making sure a coach turns around for them during the Blind Auditions, they have to go head-to-head with one of their teammates at the Battle Rounds. If they emerge victorious, they will have to go through another battle again, with two more contestants in the Knockouts round. The final contestants per team would now go on the Live Playoffs, where public voting is now allowed. 

During “The Voice’s” Season 22 Knockouts of Team Blake, the 16-year-old Michigan native Brayden Lape might have given his coach one of the biggest headaches so far in the competition – this is after Lape brought Stefani, Shelton’s wife, to tears after his performance. 

Singing is not just about melodically saying words using one’s god-given voice. It’s also about forging that emotional connection to your audience, and in Lape's case, during "The Voice's" Season 22 Knockout Rounds for Team Blake, he might have made the right call in convincing his coach’s decision to pick him.

Lape charmed Shelton with his country rendition of Niall Horan’s “This Town.” Although he only secured a turn from the country music icon, he managed to become one of the fan favorites on the team. At the Battle Rounds, he won against Benny Weag in a soulful rendition of Parker McCollum’s “Pretty Heart.”

However, Lape’s fate came into limbo at the Knockouts when he was paired with three-chair turner Austin Montgomery and another fan favorite, Eva Ullmann. 

When it was his time to sing, Lape whips arguably one of his greatest performances in the competition while singing Brett Young’s “Mercy.” The song is already certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and ruled the US Country Airplay charts as a No. 1 hit. 

Packed with his charming voice and boy-next-door looks, Lape moved Shelton’s wife, Stefani, into tears during and after the performance, visibly enamored by the young boy’s showcase. 

According to WITL 100.7 FM, Lape moved forward to the Live Playoffs after Shelton chose him among the other two. 

Lape will now be passing his quarterback uniform in Michigan to some of his teammates as he is set to embark on the Live Playoffs journey in sunny Los Angeles, where he is set to outsing 15 other contestants before being declared the season’s winner. 

Have you watched Brayden Lape’s rendition of “Mercy” by Brett Young? Which version do you like better? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones!