The remaining singers on The Voice (NBC, Monday night, 8 ET/PT) have only one thing in common: They're career musicians, hungry for a recording contract. USA TODAY chats up the distinct final four:
Tony Lucca, 36, of Waterford, Mich.
Style: The former Mouseketeer (he was on The Mickey Mouse Club with Voice mentor Christina Aguilera) took "the path less traveled," he says. Now, his sound is laid-back "soul-folk."
Strength: He has support from other former Disney stars. Plus he's a risk-taker: Tony sang a Britney Spears cover one week, and showed off his 20-year-old Mouse moves the next.
Team Adam (Levine): "We played the same clubs and have mutual friends. I thought we could develop shorthand."
No boy bands: Friends put together a country "Eagles meets 'N Sync" band, but that never panned out.
Ink: There's a blackbird on his right forearm, "for the Beatles song and a few layers of personal significance," and a tarot card on his left forearm that "represents a period of tranquility and creative awakening." The message "forever … everyday" on his left wrist was the theme of his marriage vows. His wife has a matching tattoo.
Chris Mann, 30, of Wichita, Kan.
Style: Opera. "I want to join the likes of Josh Groban and Michael Bublé— fill out the trifecta."
Strength: You either love opera or hate it, but the lovers have been supportive of Chris' trained voice. "I felt so accepted. I got voted through every time."
Team Christina: Chris' goal was to make it to the finals and sing one specific duet with Aguilera. His dream is coming true: "We're doing a song that has some foreign language involved."
Game plan: "I want to focus on what America has gravitated to." He's sticking to is classical roots for the final.
Shocked: When it was left to Christina's final two, the coach didn't sway the vote, but let America vote for a finalist. "I wrote my departure speech an hour before the show. I got a little sad." When he was voted through, "I was shocked."
Jermaine Paul, 33, of Harriman, N.Y.
Style: His "new R&B meets old soul" voice has sung backup for Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys.
Strength: "It's not just getting onstage and performing" to Jermaine, who says he attempts to forge a deep emotional connection with each song.
Team Blake (Shelton): He thought about choosing CeeLo, but "he had dark shades on and I was looking for a connection." Though Shelton's country style is much different from his own, Jermaine sees the similarities: "(Blake) sings from his soul."
Career goal: "To be the type of artist that dudes take their girls out and see."
Off the road: When not touring with Alicia Keys, Jermaine still had music-oriented jobs. He has sung in his church and worked as a vocal coach to make ends meet.
Juliet Simms, 26, of Clearwater, Fla.
Style: Rock 'n' roll. Juliet has a raspy, Janis Joplin-style voice. "I've been told I sound like a crying guitar."
Strength: The coaches have called her a favorite since her stirring Roxanne, and her performances often close the show. This rock star can roar.
Team CeeLo: "My gut and instinct were screaming his name." Her instincts were right: CeeLo swayed the vote in her favor in the semifinals.
Gave her wings: For the song Cryin', Juliet sported a huge pair of wings. "CeeLo suggested it. I am part American Indian and have feather tattoos. I seized the opportunity pretty quick."
Blondes have more fun? "It turns out they don't," she says after dying her brown hair blond on the show. "So I have a surprise come Monday."
