"Simone won that" — The Voice fans react to Micheal Bublé picking Barry in the Knockouts

The Voice Season 27's Knockout rounds sparked controversy when coach Michael Bublé chose Barry Jean Fontenot over Simone Marijic, a decision that left viewers outraged.

Social media erupted with comments defending Simone's Broadway-worthy performance of Sara Bareilles' "She Used To Be Mine," with many fans declaring her the clear winner. The March 31, 2025, episode marked the beginning of the high-stakes Knockout phase, where artists perform individually in head-to-head matchups, with their coaches selecting only one to advance.

This season of The Voice features John Legend, Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, and Adam Levine as coaches, each with a single Steal opportunity to rescue eliminated contestants from other teams. While several stolen artists found new homes on different teams during the episode, Simone's elimination without a Steal left fans particularly frustrated.

Her emotional performance showcasing her vocal range and control contrasted with Barry's upbeat rendition of Bublé's own "Haven't Met You Yet," setting up a personality-versus-technique debate that continues to divide the audience.

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The Voice fans react to Michael Bublé’s controversial decision

The audience's reaction to Bublé's decision revealed a stark disconnect between coach perception and viewer sentiment.

Fans overwhelmingly sided with Simone, expressing shock and disappointment across social media platforms. The criticism focused primarily on what many perceived as an obvious mismatch in technical ability and emotional delivery between the two contestants.

“You blew it in the Knockouts Buble!! No question that Simone won that!!” one fan commented on X.

“I can’t believe someone didn’t steal Simone! She’s a winner,” another fan said.

“That was a good steal. Simone, I think could win the show. She has the look and she has the voice and the personality,” a fan commented.

“How can you let her go!! She was phenomenal!” a fan said.

The backlash extended beyond simple disagreement into questions about Bublé's credibility as a coach. Some longtime viewers claimed the decision damaged their trust in his judgment moving forward in the competition.

Many expressed disbelief that none of the other The Voice coaches used their valuable Steal opportunity on Simone, with some suggesting she had winner potential that went unrecognized by all four professionals.

“Barry? Really? Worst pick ever! Lost alot of respect for yoy on this one,” another fan said.

“Saying No to Simone? Buble you Bu-blewit,” a fan commented online.

“How could you let Simone go!!!” another fan said.

“How about choosing (all of you) music that won’t put us to sleep. Most boring season of The Voice yet,” another fan said.

“Letting Simone go and choosing Barry was about the Dumbest thing you could have possibly done! 70% of the country would have stolen her. She could have won the voice!” another fan commented.

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What happened during this episode of The Voice Knockouts?

The controversial pairing featured two drastically different performance styles. Simone delivered an emotional rendition of "She Used To Be Mine," bringing theatrical depth that showcased her technical range and vulnerability.

Barry countered with "Haven't Met You Yet," presenting a more energetic, crowd-pleasing approach focused on stage presence and likability rather than vocal acrobatics.

During feedback, The Voice coach Kelsea Ballerini noted Barry's magnetic quality while acknowledging Simone's musical theater strengths. John Legend suggested Barry needed to add "artistry and flavor" while complimenting the intentional vocal breaks in Simone's performance.

Adam Levine encouraged Barry to "let go" and noted that Simone demonstrated a strong emotional connection. Bublé himself praised Simone's "effortless falsetto" before ultimately describing Barry as "loveable" and acknowledging he "did a great job."

Despite the balanced feedback that seemed to favor Simone's technical abilities, Bublé announced, "Michael chooses Barry," setting off a wave of fan disagreement.

This choice aligns with earlier moves in the episode, particularly when Bublé used his single Steal opportunity on Angie Rey from Team Kelsea. After saving Angie, he playfully remarked,

"Can you just say Michael Bublé is really good-looking? Let's go with incredibly good-looking," showcasing his emphasis on personality and entertainment value.

When stealing Angie, Bublé admitted tactical thinking, saying he waited to press his button because he "wanted her to be able to hug her coach before she came to win the show with her new coach." He also noted she filled "that country void" on his team, suggesting genre diversity factored into his decision-making.

With Barry's selection over Simone, Bublé appears committed to building a team of performers with a strong stage presence rather than focusing solely on technical vocal excellence. This approach might appeal to viewers who value entertainment and relatability, though initial fan reaction suggests it could be a risky strategy.

As The Voice moves toward the live performance phase, the aftermath of this controversial decision will likely influence viewer support and voting patterns. Barry now carries the additional pressure of justifying his coach's faith in him against a backdrop of audience skepticism.

For the other coaches, the missed opportunity to steal a talent like Simone could prove consequential as the competition narrows. The episode highlighted how strategic choices in the Knockout rounds can shape a coach's team identity and chances for victory.

While fan sentiment strongly favored Simone, the ultimate test will be whether Barry can translate his coach's confidence into compelling performances when audience votes determine outcomes. The controversy serves as a reminder that, in reality singing competitions, technical ability and emotional connection sometimes compete for priority in both coach decisions and viewer preferences.

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Watch The Voice on Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.