Sixteen-year-old New York native Sydney Sterlace made a strong case for a slot in the upcoming finals when the Team Gwen singer wowed the studio audience and viewers on Monday night (Dec. 2) during the launch of the live rounds on The Voice.
Dramatically backlit, Sterlace stood alone center stage in a black and tan lacy mini dress and crooned Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go hit “When the Party’s Over” as eight dancers spun and twisted in balletic accompaniment behind her. The hushed cover featuring subtle piano backing ending with Sterlace repeating the haunting lines, “I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that” over and over as the dancers lined up behind her while she hit a final, emotional high note.
Buffalo, NY native Sterlace has made a strong run during the season by sticking to songs that fit her teen vibe, including covers of Olivia Rodrigo’s breakthrough 2021 hit “Drivers License,” as well as Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” during the battle rounds, Lewis Capaldi’s 2017 hit “Bruises” during the knockout rounds and Taylor Swift’s “Betty” during last month’s playoffs.
She also teamed up with Team Bublé’s Shye for a simmering cover of Sting’s “Fields of Gold” on Monday, with the former Police lead singer/bassist joining them on acoustic guitar for the duet on a night when he also performed other solo and Police songs with the top eight. Sterlace is vying for a slot in next week’s finale with the rest of the remaining singers, which include Team Snoop’s Christina Eagle and Jeremy Beloate, Team Gwen’s Jan Dan, Team Reba’s Adam Bohanan and Danny Joseph and Team Bublé’s Shye and Sofrino Vasquez.
The live semi-final eliminations will take place on NBC on Tuesday night (Dec. 3) at 8 p.m. ET. The first part of the live finale will air on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., with a recap and of the top 5 performances airing on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the live finale at 9 p.m. ET.
Watch Sterlace’s performances below.
