The Bachelor: Listen To Your Heart: Season 1, episode 3 performance grades
Bri Stauss & Chris Watson, “Beyond” – Leon Bridges
Vocal Performance: A
While they sound fantastic together, Chris is my current top male singer in Listen to Your Heart. For one, he actually brings a fresh, R&B soul sound to a contestant pool oversaturated with generic pop aspirations to be the next Chainsmokers. His voice is buttery-smooth and he just sounds like a seasoned pro. Bri is a lot better sounding than I thought – last week’s improv monologue “song” did them absolutely zero justice. Maybe this is indeed a sign that one should simply speak their emotions rather than sing them at someone – signed, an Aquarius. She’s definitely the Matt to Chris’ Rudi, but her voice truly complements his sound and holds its own candle.
Honestly, they sound like they are supposed to be singing together, a concept half the duos apparently failed to consider. Instead of just singing a higher version of the same key, Bri actually harmonized quite well with Chris’s voice and she very well could be a breakout star at the end of this as well.
Interpretive Routine: B
They aren’t a performative duo, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They more so just sang to each other rather than put on a show. It was cute, but simply not up to my highly-sought-after interpretive routine evaluations.
~Romance~ Level: A+
I’m 99% sure if Neil Lane indeed makes an appearance* (*dares to show his face and attach his name to Listen to Your Heart), Chris and Bri are getting engaged at the finale. They’re definitely the farthest along in the actual relationship department – you know, the supposed “concept” of this series.
While their romance levels hinder their choreographed routine abilities, Chris and Bri are clearly not collaborating for appearances sake, aka Instagram followers. The hand-holding made my palms clammy, but these two crazy kids appear to be in love. Another rare sighting – is this a glitch in the simulation?