D.Smooth -- a powerful performer from Alabama with a silky-smooth tone -- has made the finals on Season 23 of “The Voice.”
The Birmingham-born artist, whose offstage name is David Mitchell, covered Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” on Monday’s episode of the NBC reality series, earning viewer votes that landed him a spot among the top five singers on the show.
D.Smooth, 25, has been competing on “The Voice” during Season 23 as a member of Kelly Clarkson’s team, and the pop and country star seemed thrilled to see him succeed on Monday in the live semifinals.
“D.Smooth has his own vibe, no matter what he’s singing,” Clarkson said on the episode. “Singer-songwriter song, soul song, rock ‘n’ roll song. And I think that’s really magical.”
D.Smooth certainly worked his magic on the Sheeran tune, causing the studio audience to cheer and the celebrity coaches to give him a standing ovation. Clarkson and Blake Shelton offered reactions to D.Smooth’s performance, and both pulled out superlatives to praise him.
(Watch D.Smooth’s performance of “Thinking Out Loud” in the video below.)
“Well, I don’t know how you don’t vote that guy into the finale,” Shelton said. “That was just an incredible showcase in vocal ability, being comfortable on stage and just being a really cool, unique artist all at the same time. Man, just great. You gotta go to the finale.”
“I’m such a fan, man. I’m so proud of you,” Clarkson said. “I can’t even believe you picked me as your coach. I’m floored every time ... Even if it’s rehearsal, our voice is seamless. It’s straight from your soul. ... When you get out there, you do something different and it’s even more special. You’re the artist you want to see on tour, every stop, because you know it’s going to be a different show every night.”
D.Smooth will perform again next week on episodes that air May 22-23, continuing his quest for the “Voice” crown. Other finalists on the show are Grace West and NOIVAS (both on Team Blake), Gina Miles (Niall Horan’s team) and Sorelle (Chance the Rapper’s team).
“I am absolutely ready to make it to the finals, win this thing and then look out for my family,” D.Smooth said. He also thanked Clarkson for her encouragement and support.
“It meant the world to me, man, to just know that I’ve been riding so hard, and to have somebody of that caliber believe in me, to allow me to be me, that really means a lot,” D.Smooth said.
Another artist from Alabama, Ryley Tate Wilson, competed in “The Voice” semifinals on Monday, covering Billy Joel’s “Vienna” as a member of Team Niall. Wilson, 15, wasn’t voted into the finals and ended his journey on the show as one of the top eight singers.
(Watch Wilson’s performance of “Vienna” in the video below.)
READ MORE: Ryley Tate Wilson on ‘The Voice’: ‘The most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me’
Alabama’s never had a winner on “The Voice,” but three singers from the state have made it to the finals during previous seasons: Dexter Roberts, who took third place on Season 16; Kirk Jay, who placed third on Season 15; and Red Marlow, who came in fourth during Season 13. Other “Voice” contestants from the state have included Berritt Haynes, Emma Caroline Warren, Levi Watkins, Cam Spinks, Josie Jones and Worth the Wait.
If you watch: “The Voice” finals for Season 23 will air live on Monday, May 22, and Tuesday, May 23, on NBC.
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