The Voice’s Season 26 Winner Is Obviously Destined to Be…

As difficult as it may be, the time has come for us to stop facepalming over the decisions that The Voice’s Season 26 coaching panel of Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, “Uncle Snoop” Dogg and Michael Bublé made during this week’s Playoffs.

No more marveling that Gwen let Jose Luis go after he gave us a vocal that was as impressive as his swagger so that she could keep Jan Dan. We’ve gotta stop wondering how Reba shook off Lauren-Michael Sellers’ emotional performance to hold onto Danny Joseph after his worst showing in the competition.

We also need to get past the fact that Michael dumped Michael Jackson in the making Jaukeem Fortson and that “Uncle Snoop” advanced average country singer Christina Eagle over Aliyah Khaylyn even having just heard the latter slay Whitney Houston.

It’s not going to be easy.

Perhaps the only way to stop ourselves from looking back and going, “WTH?!?” is by looking forward. So let’s give it a shot, shall we? Below, you’ll find TVLine’s ranking of the Top 8, with the No. 1 slot of course going to the contestant that we think is likeliest to emerge victorious when all is said and sung. Check out our thoughts, then hit the comments with the order in which you’d put the vocalists.

8. Sydney Sterlace (Team Gwen)

Working for her: The show has positioned the 15-year-old as Season 26’s would-be Taylor Swift. Working against her: Tay Tay, she ain’t. When Sydney is good, she’s very good, indeed. When she isn’t, her youth and experience show more than her potential.

7. Jan Dan (Team Gwen)

Working for him: He’s a fine singer whose growth has impressed his coach. Working against him: He’s just a fine singer. And though his stage presence is improving, it’s unlikely to hold a candle to that of the contestants who seem born for the spotlight.

6. Jeremy Beloate (Team Snoop)

Working for him: He’s got a voice that doesn’t quit. Like, you could tell it to, and it would still go right on; it’s massive, and he knows how to control it. Working against him: Jeremy’s musical-theater type of vocal doesn’t often get a contestant across the finish line.

5. Danny Joseph (Team Reba)

Working for him: The English-born Texan is a fantastic showman with a voice that’s as memorable and animated as he is. Working against him: Questionable song selection cost Danny momentum in the Playoffs and could again. He needs to play to his strengths.

4. Shye (Team Bublé)

Working for her: She’s as likable as all get-out and is blessed with a voice that’s so rich, she could give Carole King a run for her money. Working against her: We know, right? We know that Shye can be great. But she needs shrewder song selections than One Direction.

3. Christina Eagle (Team Snoop)

Working for her: The North Carolina native is the one and only country singer left in the competition — a huge advantage, given the audience’s historic love of country music. Working against her: On stage, Christina gives it her all; her all just doesn’t always seem like enough.

2. Sofronio Vasquez (Team Bublé)

Working for him: His vocals are as powerful as they are evocative. On top of that, he’s excellent at making a familiar song feel like his own. Working against him: Perhaps only the contestant at No. 1 and the fact that we have two new coaches whose fan bases we can’t predict.

1. Adam Bohanan (Team Reba)

Working for him: He’s got a killer voice and knows how to use it. Moreover, he’s so comfortable on stage, it could be his living room. Working against him: Sofronio is as good as Adam is, and Christina will bring with her the whole country vote.