The Bachelor: Listen To Your Heart: Season 1, episode 6 performance grades

Bri Stauss & Chris Watson, “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran

Vocal Performance: A-

Not gonna lie, Chris started a little too low – why do these Listen to Your Heart contestants continuously do this? Are there no alto singers past Rudi? That said, even Taye Diggs knows what’s up with these two, bopping his head agreeably through Chris’ opening verse. It really picked up when Bri jumped in – Bri outperforming Chris a bit again? It’s more that these two continuously complement one another vocally in a way other couples really couldn’t emulate.

And that stripped-down, Acapella verse? That was simply excellently executed – moreover, I sincerely appreciate them exercising artistic freedom and enhancing these songs past a bland rehearsed cover. Not that this is credited to these two whatsoever, but the trumpeter really killed it during their song – as did the rest of the band, bravo. Ultimately, I concur with Jewel that when they stripped back the band and let their harmonies shine alone – more specifically, “it really carried,” which is quite the compliment – is when they separated themselves from the measly skeletal pack that is the remaining competition on Listen to Your Heart.

Interpretive Routine: N/A (ugh)

I truly give up. Are these two able to sing songs to the audience? Do they forget the English language if not staring straight into each other’s souls? Catch me playing my new white noise soundtrack when I attempt to sleep this evening. Thanks, Bri and Chris!

~Romance~ Level: A

I suppose this is what the winners of Listen to Your Heart are supposed to look like. Unlike the somewhat forced nature of Jamie and Trevor’s performances, these two are just naturally in sync and are almost too comfortable with one another. It’s just genuinely shocking for them to be this natural in such a short time. But alas, wedding bells have (somewhat alarmingly) been ringing over these two since about midway through the Listen to Your Heart series, and it played out accordingly on stage. And, much unlike Jamie and Trevor, they don’t find it necessary to show their chemistry through awkward kissing pauses, moreso through subtle cutesy looks at one another.

Ultimately, these two continuously brought it all season long – the most in this category by a mile, less so in the vocals department, but stayed consistent nonetheless. As I am not a judge on Listen to Your Heart, clearly my pleas for choreography will simply go unanswered as this season comes to a close. Just know you would be getting dinner AND a show on my series.

Overall Grade: 96/100

Ladies and gentlemen, your esteemed season 1 winners of Listen to Your Heart: Bri and Chris! Despite this being Rudi’s competition in the bag by episode four, Bri and Chris are highly deserving winners nonetheless. It’s also quite refreshing to not have a white-bread cookie-cutter influencer duo à la Jamie and Trevor steal the series before they can even legally rent a car. Bri and Chris almost seemed too boring all along to win Listen to Your Heart, which really says a lot more about me and my issues than it does this duo.

Most importantly, in a shocking departure from Listen to Your Heart’s American Idol counterpart, Bri and Chris have already released their debut album! Head over to their new website to check out their music – a mix of covers and original songs. Lastly, while I’m at it, a shameless plug for my robbed queen, Rudi – her new single, “Hate LA,” (girl, same) dropped last night. Overall, while I’m acutely disappointed in last night’s episode, Listen to Your Heart was a pleasantly surprising source of entertainment in quarantine. With that said, ABC, no one, absolutely NO ONE is requesting season two.

Did you guys feel the rightful winners of Listen to Your Heart were crowned in last night’s season 1 finale? Anyone out there actually requesting a second season? Follow along as my author profile turns into a Rudi stan account in the offseason. Cheers!