No winner has been determined yet, but the Cut Week results give viewers a few compelling contestants to watch. The new format has narrowed the field sharply, making every upcoming performance more important.
Lexi Stephens: Adam Levine’s potential champion
Lexi Stephens is one of the biggest names to watch after Cut Week. Adam advanced her directly to the Live Shows and described her as the strongest singer in the competition, saying he believed she could win the season. That endorsement puts her firmly in the early winner conversation, though she still needs to connect with viewers during live voting.
Joe Henley: The country singer with momentum
Joe Henley earned Riley Green’s final team spot after performing Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” The performance prompted all four coaches to give him a standing ovation, making it one of the episode’s most memorable moments. His country style could be an advantage as the live competition unfolds, especially with Riley guiding him.
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Brianna Cameron: A young singer with a big voice
At just 13, Brianna Cameron impressed Kelly Clarkson with her performance of Natalie Cole’s “Inseparable.” Kelly said she wanted to reward the singer for revealing another layer of her talent, and the performance left Kelly visibly emotional. Her age may make her story especially compelling, but her vocal delivery will be what matters most once audiences start voting.
Other artists worth watching include Mia Knight, BigCountry, Lillie Kolich, Connor Closs, Dakota Cohen, Cade Mower, Ferryn and Brinkley, Koumba Diallo and Anna McElroy. Each has secured a place in the live competition, but the new format means early momentum is only the beginning.
The twist that could change the entire competition
Even with 12 singers safely through, the Top 13 is not complete yet. America has the opportunity to bring one of the 16 eliminated artists back into the competition. That gives viewers a chance to rescue a favourite who was not selected by their coach.
The new format also changes how the season will unfold. Rather than spreading eliminations across the usual Knockout rounds, Cut Week compressed a huge number of decisions into a single two-hour episode. The Live Shows now put more emphasis on audience participation, with voting results announced on the same night as performances.
The Live Shows begin November 9, 2026, and are scheduled to continue for six weeks, culminating in the finale on December 14. This season’s winner will also receive a performance slot at Governors Ball 2027, giving the competition a major career opportunity beyond the show itself.
So, who will be the next winner?
At this stage, Lexi Stephens has a particularly strong endorsement from Adam Levine, while Joe Henley and Brianna Cameron have also delivered standout moments. But predicting a winner this early is difficult: live performances can change public opinion quickly, and the audience will now have a much bigger role in deciding who stays.
The biggest question is whether the coaches’ choices will prove right once the viewers take over. Will the early favourites dominate, or could an artist who barely made it through — or returns through the public vote — become the season’s biggest surprise?
