Two weeks ago, beloved competitor Lennon VanderDoes was eliminated from The Voice during the final ‘Knockout Rounds’ episode. However, this week coach Gwen Stefani shocked viewers by not only using the new Season 24 ‘SuperSave’ feature to bring VanderDoes back for another chance, but also by sending him home again.
In a surprise twist, Stefani could have chosen to bring back any previously eliminated contestant from any team, yet she opted to give VanderDoes another shot. The climax of the recent November 27th episode was Stefani not picking VanderDoes, despite all six Team Gwen contestants competing for three spots in this season’s top 12 live semifinals.
Fans Call Out Gwen Stefani's Decision To Save One 'Voice' Contestant — And Surprisingly Send Him Home Again
Fans are taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dissatisfaction with Stefani's decision as they support VanderDoes. They have criticized her for not using the Super-Save on another contestant and allowing coach John Legend to bring VanderDoes back, which could have changed the course of the season.
With his powerful vocals and tone, VanderDoes delivered a stunning live rendition of "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová during the episode. Soon after this aired, viewers headed to social media to praise his performance. After this, VanderDoes was eliminated by coach Stefani, and sparked outrage for doing so.
"Gwen Stefani just eliminated her 3 best singers in a single night," one tweeted, adding that "Rudi and Lennon [VanderDoes] were the only voices on her team with a chance to win and she chose BIAS????" Another added: "I just can’t follow Gwen’s logic." Someone else commented: "@gwenstefani ugh that's disappointing you let Lennon go."
The same user added: "We need Lennon in the lives! He is amazing!" Another critic took to the site to write: "It’s pretty clear that after tonight @gwenstefani has the absolute worst team on #TheVoice playoffs. Doesn’t even matter who John picks. Truly awful choices Gwenny."
As for VanderDoes, the singer reflected on his experience on the show and thanked fans for their support in a new Instagram post for his 11.8K followers.
"One chair turn was all I was hoping for! So getting to perform in the playoffs after being handpicked by Gwen Stefani to come back after NBC changed the rules because I made John Legend cry was not how I saw this going," he wrote.
He added: "I’ll never have the words to say how grateful I am. Above all… this experience connected me to you, and I’m so thankful for all of you. Thank you for listening to my music. thanks for bringing that to your homes, on your long drives and special moments… the best is yet to come!!!"
The musician continued: "Everybody says it isn’t the end when they get eliminated, but I suppose that’s up to both of us. I’ll keep going, and I hope you’ll stick around."
