Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 4 hrs ago
The Voice of Germany contestants perform separately after song dispute
The Voice of Germany contestants Henk and Jessica were assigned “Ave Maria” for a battle on Shirin David’s team.
Jessica refused, saying the Catholic song is a prayer to Mary, while she is Protestant and prays only to Jesus Christ.
She said she would prefer a song about God, but Henk said he wanted to be a musician, not a preacher.
Shirin David had them perform separately because the battles were only days away and she could not change her team.
Henk sang Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” and Jessica performed Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.”
Other coaches questioned the unusual solution, with Michi Beck saying they should have chosen another song and Nico Santos saying faith should bring people together.
Shirin advanced both contestants, after each performed well on stage.
Jessica refused to sing “Ave Maria” because she said it conflicted with her Protestant faith.
Coach Shirin David responded by having Jessica and her battle partner Henk perform separately.
Henk sang “The Sound of Silence,” while Jessica performed “Gratitude.”
The unusual arrangement drew criticism from fellow coaches Michi Beck and Nico Santos.
David advanced both contestants to the next round.
- Who
- Contestants Jessica and Henk, coached by Shirin David.
- What
- After Jessica refused to sing “Ave Maria,” the pair performed separately in the battle.
- When
- Friday evening, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- On The Voice of Germany. The article does not state a more specific location.
- Why
- Jessica said the song was Catholic and that she prayed only to Jesus Christ.
Michi Beck and Nico Santos
Shirin David
Approach to the battle
Michi Beck and Nico Santos
Beck said the contestants should have found another song if one felt uncomfortable.
Shirin David
David had the pair perform separately, with each singing a different song.
Assessment of the outcome
Michi Beck and Nico Santos
Santos said faith should bring people together and that this had not happened.
Shirin David
David said she was moved by the performances and advanced both contestants.
Jessica and Henk were assigned to learn the aria “Ave Maria.
Jessica refused to sing the song, citing her faith.
Shirin David learned about the disagreement and decided the contestants would perform separately.
Henk performed “The Sound of Silence,” and Jessica sang “Gratitude.
David advanced both contestants.
- Contestants
- Henk, 46, and Jessica, 20
- Coach
- Shirin David, 31
- Original song
- Ave Maria
- Henk’s performance
- The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
- Jessica’s performance
- Gratitude” by Brandon Lake
- Outcome
- Both contestants advanced
What people are saying
This song is a Catholic song. I am Protestant.
I just want to be a musician and not a preacher.
I don't think that's okay. We've also had battles where someone didn't feel comfortable. Then we had to find another song.
Faith should actually bring people together. Unfortunately, that didn't happen here.