“The Voice” Stages Final Battles

Two hopefuls share a kiss, next week the show goes live

First came the blind auditions. A month of battle rounds followed. When NBC’s top-rated “The Voice” returns next week, the show enters a new, live phase of competition. Here’s how the latest set of would-be pop stars fared on Tuesday’s final night of battle rounds.

Team Adam
This week, Adam paired Jeff Jenkins with Casey Desmond, the redheaded dance pop artist. Adam had been the only coach to press his button for Casey during her blind audition, while Jeff was a favorite of all celebrity coaches going into his battle round. Still, Jeff predicted tough competition in the “crazy, awesome rocker.” After singing Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” Reba McEntire said she couldn’t keep her eyes off Jeff, while Blake said the same about Casey. Cee Lo said he would give the nod to Jeff, but the decision was up to Adam. After telling Casey she had a “tremendous voice” the Maroon 5 rocker said there was something “mindblowing” about Jeff and advanced him.

Final team lineup: Jeff Jenkins, Javier Colon, Casey Weston, Devon Barley

Team Blake
For battle No. 2 of the night, Blake said he tapped Xenia vs. Sarah Oromchi because both seemed “bashful.” Xenia, 16, revealed she was always “the quiet girl in class” and started crying during rehearsals when Blake praised her voice. After performing “I’ll Stand by You” by The Pretenders, Christina praised Xenia’s tone but said Sarah “had more passion.” She also said Sarah missed notes. Adam seconded that Sarah’s performance was “pitchy and nerves were flying around everywhere,” though he said the song wasn’t a good choice for either performer. Blake said he agreed but “you have to step up to the plate” anyway. He chose Xenia to edge past her rival.

Final team lineup: Xenia, Patrick Thomas, Jared Blake, Dia Frampton

Team Christina
Next up was college student/diehard Christina fan Lilly Elise vs. country backup-singer Cherie Oakley. Christina selected the Kelly Clakson hit “Since You’ve Been Gone” and said she was looking for “passion, not perfection.” Adam called both singers’ performances great, while Reba McEntire disclosed that Cheri had co-written her hit song “Turn On Your Radio.” (That should count for something right?) Cee Lo complimented both performers’ collective energy but singled out Cherie for having maintained control under pressure. Christina threw her support to Lilly, saying said she hadn’t expected the singer to come out on stage looking like a “little hot mama.”

Final team lineup: Lilly Elise, Frenchie Davis, Beverly McClellan, Raquel Castro

Team Cee Lo
Cee Lo went last and paired up Emily Valentine with Curtis Grimes, the baritone country singer who earlier this season performed a Blake Shelton tune. Before they performed Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” Emily revealed she’d become friends with Curtis and had even started to develop a crush on the former baseball player. After their performance - which ended with a passionate kiss - Blake joked that Cee Lo had told the pair to “duet – not do it.” Christina called Emily’s vocals shaky, while Monica said the two singers simply came from “different worlds.” Cee Lo agreed Emily was out of her comfort zone and selected Curtis to advance.

Final team lineup: Curtis Grimes, Vicci Martinez, Nakia, Tori & Taylor Thompson

Next week the show kicks off its live rounds in a new timeslot, 9 p.m. ET. Celebrity coaches will perform.

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