The Voice coaches have finally changed their outfits after five straight episodes, which means one thing—it’s time for the Battles! This is the stage of the competition where coaches must make difficult choices. They pair up their own singers, have them perform a duet, and then pick one to move forward.
It’s a tough process, but that’s how the show works. Fortunately, each coach has a steal, which means they can bring an eliminated contestant onto their own team. There’s also the save, which allows a coach to keep someone on their own team instead of losing them.
For viewers, this is the part of the season where emotions run high. Fans often find themselves yelling at the screen when a coach makes an unexpected or confusing choice. Music is all about personal taste, after all!
To help the contestants perform at their best, each coach has invited a celebrity mentor. This season, John Legend has Coco Jones, Michael Bublé is working with Cynthia Erivo, Adam Levine has chosen Kate Hudson, and Kelsea Ballerini has Little Big Town.
The diversity of these mentors brings an exciting range of perspectives to the competition. Every contestant is likely to feel starstruck when meeting them. The coaches, however, are ready to hit their buttons and make big decisions.
Also Read: ‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 4 Recap: Exciting Battles, Standout Performances, and Tough Choices
Adam Levine Shocks Everyone by Bringing In Kate Hudson
Adam Levine has been away from The Voice for a while, so it’s understandable if his Battle pairings seem a little unexpected. His first Battle features Darius J and Britton Moore—two artists with very different styles.
The Battle format is designed to test who has more star potential, and this matchup feels like a true experiment. On paper, Darius appears to be the stronger competitor, especially with the song choice: Creep by Radiohead.
Before rehearsals, Adam shares his thoughts with producer Audrey, saying, “Darius has the kind of range that might help Britton find his voice.” From the start, this makes it seem like Britton is at a disadvantage. Even Darius jokes about their differences, comparing himself to wheat bread while calling Britton “Wonder Bread.”
During rehearsals with Kate Hudson, an interesting detail comes up—Kate and Adam have known each other since high school, and she even attended one of his first gigs. It’s always fascinating when celebrities reveal that they were friends before they became famous.
But Kate isn’t just here as a familiar face. She is working on her own music career, so in a way, she’s in the same boat as these contestants. While some might question whether she has an advantage due to her background, her role here is purely as a mentor.
Her feedback focuses on the emotional delivery of the song. She encourages the contestants to connect with the lyrics on a deeper level. Adam then makes a last-minute change, asking the band to go with an acoustic version.
Both contestants bring personal experiences to the performance. Britton describes himself as an outsider because he grew up as a pastor’s kid and wasn’t part of the party scene. Darius, on the other hand, has lived through tough times, including being unhoused and struggling with addiction. These experiences shape how they interpret the song.
When the performance begins, it becomes clear that Britton’s voice has a haunting quality that perfectly suits the new arrangement. His high notes feel almost ethereal, giving the song a fresh emotional depth. Darius puts on a strong performance, but it feels a little over-rehearsed. Britton’s vulnerability makes him stand out.
Adam ultimately chooses Britton as the winner, a decision that surprises many. However, Darius isn’t out of the game yet. Both Michael Bublé and Kelsea Ballerini are interested in stealing him, but before they can make a move, Adam uses his only save to keep Darius on his team. Instead of taking a risk with another coach, Darius decides to stay.
Later in the night, Adam pairs up Ethan Eckenroad and Fran Posla for another Battle. They perform July by Noah Cyrus and Leon Bridges. Their voices have a nostalgic, coffeehouse-style quality that makes them a perfect duo.
During rehearsals, Ethan plays guitar, which gives Fran more space to shine. However, when it comes time for the actual performance, he ditches the guitar and seems a little lost. His voice is strong, but without his instrument, he appears unsure of himself.
Adam picks Ethan as the winner, but he immediately realizes he has already used his save. This means Fran is eliminated. It’s a tough loss, as she had a unique voice that could have taken her far in the competition.
John Legend and Coco Jones Make Big Decisions
John Legend brings Coco Jones in as his team’s mentor, and her presence sparks nostalgia. John recalls that when he first joined The Voice, he was in the same position as Coco is now—serving as a mentor before becoming a coach. This moment leads to speculation about whether Coco could one day take a seat in the spinning chair.
For her first mentoring session, Coco works with Kolby Cordell and Pablo Herrera. They perform Tacones Rojos by Sebastián Yatra. Since Pablo is fluent in Spanish, he has a clear advantage in delivering the song’s fast-paced lyrics. Kolby does well, but he feels like a supporting act rather than the main attraction.
John surprises everyone by choosing Kolby as the winner, letting Pablo go without a steal. Fans are left wondering if this was the right call.
For his second Battle, John pairs Nell Simmons with Olivia Kuper Harris. They sing Feel Like Making Love by Roberta Flack. Olivia has an advantage because of her background with Postmodern Jukebox, a group known for its ability to adapt songs to different styles. Coco advises them to embrace the emotion of the song and pay attention to their harmonies.
Both singers deliver a stunning performance, but John ultimately picks Olivia. Just as it seems like Nell will be eliminated, Adam Levine uses his steal, and John considers using his save. Since Nell was originally a one-chair turn, she decides to stay with John, the coach who believed in her from the start.
Michael Bublé and Cynthia Erivo Offer a Masterclass in Performance
Michael Bublé is working with Cynthia Erivo as his mentor this season, and her experience on Broadway makes her an incredible asset. She brings a technical expertise that few others can match.
For his first Battle, Michael pairs Braxton Garza with Jadyn Cree. They perform Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina. Braxton’s voice fits the song better, while Jadyn struggles to connect with the material. Despite this, Michael chooses Jadyn as the winner, continuing her family’s legacy on The Voice. Braxton, unfortunately, is eliminated without a steal.
Little Big Town Brings Harmonies to Kelsea Ballerini’s Team
Kelsea Ballerini teams up with country quartet Little Big Town as her mentors. Their expertise in harmonies makes them perfect for the Battle Rounds.
Angie Rey and Tatum Scott perform Girl by Maren Morris. Their harmonies shine, but Angie has a stronger stage presence. She wins the Battle, but Tatum isn’t eliminated. John Legend uses his steal to bring her onto his team.
The first night of Battles delivers unforgettable moments. Coaches must be careful with their steals and saves, as early eliminations could cost them later. Fans are eager to see if riskier choices will be made in the next round.
Coaches Face the Pressure as Battles Continue
As the Battle Rounds unfold, the pressure on the coaches intensifies. Every decision they make now will shape their team’s future, and with only a limited number of steals and saves, they must be strategic about who to keep. While some choices feel justified, others leave fans scratching their heads.
One of the biggest debates of the night comes from John Legend’s decision to let Pablo Herrera go. Given his natural ability to command the stage with Tacones Rojos, many viewers believed he had the star power to advance.
Letting go of such a dynamic performer without a steal seems like a missed opportunity, especially when many past winners of The Voice have succeeded with bilingual and Latin-influenced music. On the other hand, John may be thinking about the bigger picture—perhaps he believes Kolby Cordell has more potential for growth. Still, it’s a move that will be discussed for the rest of the season.
Michael Bublé and Cynthia Erivo also face tough choices, with Cynthia proving to be an invaluable mentor. Her ability to pinpoint specific technical details pushes contestants to upgrade their performances. Her presence raises the question—should The Voice bring her back every season? Many fans seem to think so, especially given the high praise from contestants.
With the first night of Battles wrapped, the competition is only going to get more intense. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will be sent home too soon? Only time will tell.
Watch The Voice
The Voice airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC. All episodes are available for streaming on Peacock.
