'The Voice' : Which Celebrity Coach Has the Best Team?

Usher, Shakira, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine's teams face off on the first live shows

Photo: Mark Seliger/NBC

The Voice‘s live shows kick off Monday – and all four celebrity coaches are hoping their carefully selected teams of four talented singers will lead them to victory.

Veteran coach Adam Levine has an all-female team – which fellow judge Usher playfully dubbed “Adam’s Angels” – and includes powerhouse Judith Hill, a background singer who was once Michael Jackson’s duet partner. Sarah Simmons, a rock, soul and blues artist, who gave a command performance of “Wild Horses” in the knockouts, is another favorite.

Fellow veteran Blake Shelton – who has won the competition twice before – has four country artists representing his team, including 16-year-old ingénue Danielle Bradbery, who had never performed before the competition. Another act to watch are the Swon Brothers, who mark the first time a duo has made it to the live rounds since season 1.

New coach – and new mom – Shakira has an eclectic group of four singers, including two she stole in the battle rounds. One of those performers, fellow mom Sasha Allen, gave her coach “goosebumps” and brought her to her feet for her version of “At Last” in the knockouts. The other steal, powerhouse Latina rocker Karina Iglesias, is also a strong contender, even if the judges want her to branch out with her song choices moving forward.

Usher made some surprising choices for his team, particularly when he eliminated fan-favorite soul singer Ryan Innes in the knockouts in favor of aspiring Latina pop star Cathia. But quirky indie rocker Michelle Chamuel, who claims she “represents nerds” in the competition, earned big praise for her high-energy version of “Raise Your Glass” in the knockouts.