The Voice Recap: See the Results From the Cross Battle Rounds

What an intense round of competition.

Written by Tammy Ragusa
The Voice Recap: See the Results From the Cross Battle Rounds
THE VOICE -- "Live Cross Battles Results" Episode 1611B -- Pictured: (l-r) Adam Levine, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

As exciting as the new element of Cross Battles are to NBC’s The Voice, it’s also excruciating to see how devastating they are to the teams of coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton.

If you missed the first Cross Battles round, contestants from opposing teams faced off against each other, each singing a song of their choosing. Following their performance, the winner was selected by the viewing audience.

The first Cross Battle round took place on April 15 and then on April 16, fans of the show, along with the coaches and contestants, learned the outcome of the audience voting. But before those brutal results were learned, John performed his new single, “Preach.”

Then it was off to the results.

Before viewers learned who prevailed in the battle between Team Blake’s Kim Cherry and Team Kelly’s Betsy Ade, Blake told Kim, “No matter what happens, these aren’t going to be our last words. But I do want to say to you that I’m still honored that you chose me as your coach and I hope that you never regret that.” Kelly followed telling Betsy, “I am so hoping America votes you through because I really have believed in you before you were even on my team.”

America saved: Kim Cherry – Team Blake

And both Adam and John hit their “steal” buttons. “We didn’t even have time to feel sorry for you,” Carson told Betsy. Adam then told her, “I think it would be an amazing experience to work with you. I wanted to work with you from the beginning.” John, who was Betsy’s first coach, then apologetically told her, “I have made some rookie mistakes in my life and I feel like sometimes I pair people up against each other that I really wanted both of them on my team, and I always thought you belonged on my team, Betsy.”

And Betsy chose: Team Adam

Next up were the results for Team Kelly’s Matthew Johnson and Team Adam’s Domenic Haynes. Kelly spoke to Matthew first. “Matthew, I cannot see you going home,” she said. “I’m getting a little nervous because I hope America heard you properly.” Adam then told Domenic, “I don’t know how this is going to shake out and it’s early in this competition in a lot of ways, but I can’t imagine a world where you are not on my team.”

America saved: Matthew Johnson – Team Kelly

With 10 seconds on the clock, Adam hit his “save” button to keep Domenic in the competition. “I do see how that happened, you’re both fantastic but it’s too early to make these kinds of decisions right now,” he said. “To feel like this would have been the last time we worked together, doesn’t feel right to me.”

It was then crunch time for Team John’s Maelyn Jarmon and Team Adam’s Rod Stokes. “I told you yesterday, I believe in you so much,” John said to Maelyn. “I think your voice is so special and the way you use it is so special. The artistry you have in your repertoire it’s just so impressive to see everything that you are doing.” Adam then turned to Rod and said, “I was so blown away by what you did last night.” He added, “Dude, you are incredible and you should be on this show.

America saved: Maelyn Jarmon – Team John

And Kelly saved Rod.

“I looked you dead in the eyes last night and I said, ‘even if you don’t make it, if America doesn’t get it yet, they will on my team,’ because I love you. I think you are so talented and the fact that you sang that song, first of all, to be bold enough to sing that song, that’s a huge song. And your voice is like this Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, it’s like this great present and I want it on my team.”

Team Adam’s Celia Babini and Team Blake’s Oliv Blu were in the hot seat next. Adam spoke to Celia first, telling the talented young lady, “You’re amazing. And this is the very, very, very beginning of your journey with this, so regardless of whether you make it to the end or you don’t, I have full belief in you. I think you’re going to be someone we all know.” Blake then addressed Oliv. “I believe in fate and I think there’s a reason that you needed up on my team,” he said. “I still think this is right and I think you had an incredible performance last night. And I couldn’t be more proud of you and I couldn’t be more honored to be your coach.”

America saved: Oliv Blu – Team Blake

John wasn’t having it. So, he stole Celia. As Carson pointed out, halfway through the show, no one was a going home. “Celia, I turned for you when you originally auditioned,” John reminded his new team member. “I think you’re fantastic and unique and special, and we’re going to make sure you knock it out of the park next time and you keep winning.”

Two of the youngest contestants, Team Kelly’s Presley Tennant and Team John’s Kayslin Victoria were next. Kelly began telling her contestant, “Last night was the best I’ve ever heard you and I’ve heard you sound really great. I was so impressed by you personally, forget this competition.” John followed, telling Kayslin, “I think you have such a special voice, and you sing pop music so well, with such swagger, such confidence. And I just love watching you on stage. I think you’re going to blossom into such a great artist.”

America saved: Presley Tennant – Team Kelly

One of the hottest Cross Battles belonged to Team John’s Lisa Ramey and Team Kelly’s Karen Galera. John went first telling Lisa, “I love working with you. You light up every room that you’re in. Your energy is so positive and your voice is so strong. Your stage presence is so great, I just love being your coach.” Kelly told Karen, “I how no fears for you, regardless if you go on or not. You represent something so cool and so inclusive for so many people, and I cannot wait to hear a record from you.”

America saved: Lisa Ramey – Team John

In one of the most evenly matched battles of the night, Team Blake’s Selkii and Team Adam’s Mari were under the spotlight next. “I love you,” Adam told Mari. “I think that you are so special and someone that I cannot even bear the thought of not having on my team. I think that you’re just getting started.” Blake then told Selkii, “I meant it last night when I told you that you’re one of my favorite artists I ever worked with on this show because of your attitude and your work ethic and your talent. My God, it would be a crime for you to go home tonight.”

America saved: Mari – Team Adam

And Blake saved Selkii.

It was Team Adam and Team Blake again in the final results of the night between Adam’s Andrew Jannakos and Blake’s Dexter Roberts. Blake began by telling Dexter, “I’m a fan, first of all. Buddy, you’re one of the best country singers that has ever walked across this stage. And last night’s performance only solidified that.” Adam told Andrew, “If you advance, great, you advance. If you don’t, you should get in a car and drive to Nashville and get a record deal.”

America saved: Dexter Roberts

The night wasn’t without humor though as coaches and contestants alike were challenged with giving a single word description to describe each of the coaches.

Next week, The Voice is back with the remaining artists hitting the ring for their Cross Battles round. The competition will air on Monday, April 22, and the results air the following night.