After impressing the coaches with their Blind Auditions, the 48 artists of The Voice Season 30 went into the Battle Round to face one of their peers in a head-to-head duet where, in most cases, only one survives. Throughout the round, Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Queen Latifah, and Adam Levine each get one Steal, which lets them save an eliminated artist from another coach’s team and add them to their own.
Team Riley kicked off the round on Oct. 6, when sibling duo Ferryn & Brinkley, the only group in the competition, won their battle. Carly Pearce is mentoring them and the rest of Riley’s team. Ariana DeBose is advising Team Kelly, Patti LaBelle has Team Queen, and Alex Warren has Team Adam.
Read on for our recap of the six battles from The Voice’s “The Battles Premiere,” which aired Oct. 12 on NBC.
Alt Bloom vs. Morgan Lett
Team Queen
Song: “Ex-Factor”
Coaches’ comments: “Y’all just crushed Lauryn Hill on national television,” exclaimed Kelly, worried for Queen having to choose between the two artists. Kelly preferred Alt on the song, while Riley suggested that Morgan stick around. Queen told Morgan that she’s “so unique” because she makes “jazzier choices” in songs and doesn’t get lost in it. She acknowledged that she asked a lot of Alt to go against Morgan and thinks he “nailed it.”
Result: Alt Bloom wins
Cal Cook vs. Connor Closs
Team Adam
Song: “Homewrecker”
Alex’s advice: Alex was impressed by the accuracy of their pitch during the runs, but agreed with Adam that Cal should lean into his “belt” more. He told them both that when they go to harmonize, he wants to “feel that desperation” that’s in the song.
Coaches’ comments: All of the coaches highlighted Connor’s runs, but only Kelly really pushed for Adam to choose him over Cal. Adam applauded them both for a “really beautiful” performance and that they were generous with each other throughout the song. Before making his choice, he urged the other coaches to consider how hard-working both of them are.
Result: Connor Closs wins
Joe Henley vs. Kenna Elpers
Team Riley
Song: “Don’t Mind If I Do”
Carly’s advice: Hearing from the artists that they don’t have much experience in mixed-gender duets, Carly was able to work with Joe on harmonizing Kenna’s parts by going lower in his register so that he doesn’t get lost. For Kenna, she encouraged her to be more intimate in the performance and “flirt a little.”
Coaches’ comments: Adam told Joe that he has one of his favorite voices in the competition and so he thought Riley should keep him on his team, as did Queen. Riley told Kenna that Joe was only successful in the battle because of her and then told Joe that he got better since the rehearsal.
Result: Joe Henley wins
Koumba Diallo vs. Lance Tenazas
Team Kelly
Song: “Birds of a Feather”
Mentor’s advice: In order to bring out the intimacy of the song, Ariana convinced Lance to pretend he’s singing the song into the ear of a lover. She told them both to treat the beginning of the track “like silk” because later on they earn the “fire power” of the song. “I want silk ribbons,” she said.
Coaches’ comments: Queen preferred Koumba because there was “more space” for her in what was otherwise a “seamless duet.” Riley called Koumba one of the most talented people on the show. Kelly thought their performance was better than rehearsal, which is impressive because of the pressure of the stage, audience, and lights. She liked Lance’s tone on the song and thinks Koumba is an “impressive singer” regardless of her age.
Result: Koumba Diallo wins
Caroline Alexis vs. Everett Bounds
Team Riley
Song: “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man”
Mentor’s advice: Riley and Carly told them that country music audiences want to believe in the lyrics, encouraging them to flirt with each other during the song. Turns out that wouldn’t be hard for the partners as Everett had already made the move to ask Caroline out on a date (and she accepted).
Coaches’ comments: Because it was a “great partnership,” the other coaches had a hard time choosing a winner suggestion on Riley’s behalf. Riley thought Caroline provided the attitude and sass required of the moment and Everett brought the look and fun energy that he asked of him.
Result: Everett Bounds wins
Kayleigh Mathews vs. Lillie Kolich
Team Queen
Song: “Girl Crush”
Mentor’s advice: Patti asked for Lillie to “enunciate better” and offered to them both that they “give birth” to their performance by going as far as they want to with it, regardless of how they think the audience will react to their choices.
Coaches’ comments: Kelly said that she thinks they both can be in the finale, but leaned slightly toward Kayleigh. Adam said he’d save Lillie because she was successful farther outside of her own wheelhouse. Queen said that they both rose to the occasion of making the song their own despite it being a duet that worked together. “You managed to still sound so individual,” she said. “But what a beautiful duet to sing together.”
Result: Lillie Kolich wins; both Kelly and Riley attempt to steal Kayleigh Mathews
The updated teams (Battle winners/steals are italicized):
TEAM KELLY: Anna McElroy, Brianna Cameron, Brooklyn Marie, Hazel Gerson, Johnnie Kapua, Kavi Nyx, Koumba Diallo, Kyle Davis, Matthew Chiu, Nina Howland, Saade
TEAM RILEY: Allie Rae, Brayden Howell, Brendan Coulter, Cade Mower, Everett Bounds, Ferryn & Brinkley, Harmony McKee, Joe Henley, Keiyana Osmond
TEAM QUEEN: Alt Bloom, BigCountry, Brandon Diaz, Bryan Jaymes, Chari, Kayleigh Mathews, Lillie Kolich, Luke Cope, Marcus Ladden Jr., Mia Knight, Sophia Liano
TEAM ADAM: Amanda Mikkel, Connor Closs, Dakota Cohen, Destinee Monroe, Evan James, Julia Clark, Lexi Stephens, Luke Curran, Marilyn Hucek, Owen Uffens, Wade Turner