The first night of Knockouts on The Voice: Battle of Champions was full of surprises, heart-wrenching choices, and… fortunes from guru CeeLo Green? Coaches Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, alongside Mega Mentors Green and Michael Bublé, helped the remaining Artists take their performances from good to great for an incredible night of television that has us eager for more. Next Monday can’t come soon enough.
Every stage in the competition is important, but the Knockouts mark the difference between a competitor and a Semi-Finalist. Claiming a place in the Top 9 is an incredible achievement, so it’s no wonder the Artists were really excited… and the Coaches’ emotions were running high as we got one step closer to crowning the next champion of The Voice.
RELATED: Stream New Episodes of The Voice: Battle of Champions the Next Day on Peacock
Levine could barely make up his mind, Clarkson was eager to have some one-on-one time with her team after being away from rehearsal during Battles, and Legend autographed a copy of his very first debut album. Next week, we’ll get to revisit some of our favorite Artists from past seasons of The Voice with the in-season All-Star Competition! For now, take a look at how things shook out on the first night of Knockouts on The Voice: Battle of Champions.
Team Adam
Bay Simpson vs. Alexia Jayy
Winner: Alexia Jayy
Simpson made the most of “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers, but the way Jayy was able to tackle the one and only Whitney Houston with “You Give Good Love” was undeniable. Clarkson called her a mix of Houston and Lauryn Hill, while John Legend added that she had a bit of “Chaka Khan energy.”
RELATED: Bay Simpson’s Satisfyingly “Weird, Rock & Roll” Performance Surprised on The Voice
Mike Steele vs. Jeremy Keith
Winner: Jeremy Keith
Levine was truly in pain, begging his fellow Coaches for help after Steele performed Tyrese’s “How You Gonna Act Like That” and Keith covered Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” with equal sauce. At the end of the day, though, only one Artist could advance to next stage of the competition.
RELATED: Why John Legend Found Himself “So Screwed” on The Voice: “I’m Just Mad at Myself”
Team Kelly
Houston Kelly vs. JW Griffin
Winner: JW Griffin
Clarkson had fun pitting her country boys against one another, two dudes who were also good friends. Ultimately, Griffin’s “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” by The SteelDrivers just edged out Kelly’s “Love You Anyway” by Luke Combs.
RELATED: Adam Levine Used His “Explosive” Blake Shelton History to His Advantage on The Voice
Abigayle Oakley vs. Liv Ciara
Winner: Liv Ciara
Oakley did her best with Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather,” but Ciara proved why she deserved Clarkson’s Super Steal when she covered her Coach’s own song, deftly reinterpreting “Breakaway.”
RELATED: Why Jennifer Hudson’s Shoe Went Flying on The Voice: “This Is What I’m Talking About!”
Team Legend
Lucas West vs. Moses G.
Winner: Lucas West
Another Marvin Gaye number? Don’t mind if we do! Moses G. sang “Let’s Get It On,” while West covered Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” and accompanied himself at the piano, ultimately winning his Knockout.
RELATED: AJ Robinson Stunned The Voice Coaches After Sounding So “Rich” at Just 14 Years Old
Natasha Blaine vs. Syd Millevoi
Winner: Syd Millevoi
Blaine delivered a beautiful cover of “Another Sad Love Song” by Toni Braxton, but Millevoi’s incredible range heard in her performance on Demi Lovato’s “Tell Me You Love Me” took her to the Top 9.
RELATED: Adam Levine Asks “Is The Voice Over?” After This Blind Audition “Broke” Kelly Clarkson
And there are still a few more Knockout performances to go! Watch The Voice: Battle of Champions on Monday nights at 9/8c on NBC or stream episodes the next day on Peacock.