Jake’s Take: Top 10 Duets from Reality TV (The 2015 Edition)

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

As Jordan Smith continues to celebrate his victory on ‘The Voice,’ Jake’s Take is reliving the best duets from your favorite Reality TV shows!

10. Team Gwen (Jeffrey Austin, Korin Bukowski & Braiden Sunshine) & Gwen Stefani: “You Get What You Give” ‘The Voice: Season Nine’

Separately each member of Team Gwen are solid vocalists, but together the group sounded incredible when they tackled New Radicals’ signature song. Their voices blended very well together and each member had the chance to shine.

9. Jeffery Austin & Tori Kelly: “Hollow” ‘The Voice: Season Nine’

I still stand behind my math equation that I put up on Twitter during ‘The Voice’ finale: “@JefferyAustin + @ToriKelly= @NBCTheVoice finale magic!” This performance was amazing from the first note to the audience’s applause. I hope that they record together in the future.

8. Benton Blunt & Rachel Platten: “Fight Song” ‘America’s Got Talent: Season 10’

‘AGT’s’ resident country rocker joined forces with this summer’s biggest rising star for a fiery take on Platten’s chart-topping smash! In addition to their superb vocals, I enjoyed seeing Radio City Music Hall transform into the ultimate feel good rally.

7. Koryn Hawthorne & Kelly Clarkson: “I’d Rather Go Blind” ‘The Voice: Season Eight’

Team Pharrell’s Season Eight soul princess collaborated with the original American Idol and one of the 2015 Queens of Music during her season’s finale. This vocal performance was outstanding, as both women gave me chills as they interpreted the late Etta James’s soul classic.

6. Meghan Linsey & Blake Shelton: “Freeway of Love” ‘The Voice: Season Eight’

If Quentin Tarantino was watching this performance, I believe his feedback would have been: “Blake Shelton sings Aretha with Meghan Linsey and wins!!” For the first time since the four-time winning coach advised his Season Two winner Jermaine Paul during ‘the Voice’s’ sophomore season, the “Sangria” singer-songwriter tackled a soul anthem. I think that both Meghan and Blake made the Queen of Soul very proud when they performed her 80s classic on the Season Eight finale.

 

5. Jordan Smith & Usher: “Without You” ‘The Voice: Season Nine’

In my humble opinion, the best ‘Voice’ contestant-artist duet remains Tessanne Chin and Celine Dion’s “Love Can Move Mountains” from Season Five. During Tuesday’s finale, Jordan Smith and fan-favorite ‘Voice’ coach Usher almost topped it. At first, I was a little hesitant to learn that Jordan will be singing this song with the “Scream” singer because besides “Chandelier,” the Season Nine did not perform any up-tempo tracks throughout the season. However, I was extremely impressed how he rose to the challenge and soared on the David Guetta-Usher track. In fact, I loved watching Usher’s reaction to when Jordan hit that high note at the song’s decrescendo. I really hope that Usher becomes a mentor to Jordan, because I think Jordan would be benefit from the superstar’s advice.

4. Jax & Steven Tyler: “Piece of My Heart” ‘American Idol XIV’

I was amongst the hundreds of ‘American Idol’ fans who was disappointed when Jax did not have her opportunity to sing in the finale with Clark Beckham and Nick Fradiani. However, I was glad that she had the opportunity to shine with rock royalty during the final night of Season 14. The electric vocal chemistry between Jax and former ‘Idol’ judge Steven Tyler shook the Dolby Theatre to its core! Plus, their party on the ‘Idol’ Judges’ Desk was one of the most hysterical moments in ‘Idol’s’ 14-year history.

 

3. Clark Beckham & Michael McDonald: “Takin’ It to the Streets” ‘American Idol XIV’

Like Jax, Season 14 runner-up Clark Beckham had the opportunity to perform with a music legend. Celebrated singer-songwriter Michael McDonald and Reverend Beckham looked like modern-day Blues Brothers as they sat down with their side-by-side grand pianos and belted an outstanding cover of Mr. McDonald’s hit with the Doobie Brothers.

 

2. The CraigLewis Band & Yolanda Adams: “I Want to Know What Love Is” ‘America’s Got Talent: Season 10’

The CraigLewis Band received the thrill of a lifetime when they performed with gospel great Yolanda Adams during the ‘AGT: Season 10’ finale. I got goose bumps all over the place when the guys did their solos and Yolanda’s beautiful vocal range put a gorgeous bow on this performance.

 

1. Team Christina (India Carney, Kimberly Nichole & Rob Taylor) & Christina Aguilera: “Hotel California” ‘The Voice: Season Eight’

The number one slot of the 2015 countdown belongs to Team Christina! I was extremely disappointed with how none of the original ‘Voice’ coach’s artists made it to Season Eight finale. They would have put on better performances than Sawyer and Josh and either one of them would have easily won Season Eight. “Hotel California” brilliantly backs up my thesis.  Between India’s gorgeous tone, Rob’s superb storytelling, Kimberly’s hypnotic phrasing and Christina’s signature vocal flair, “Hotel California” highlighted what Season Eight truly looked like if all three members of Team Christina made it to the finale. Hopefully, Christina and her new batch of artists make it all the way in Season 10 and finally hoist up the winner’s trophy.

I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article.  They belong to FOX and NBC!