The Voice kicked off its new round, the Cross Battles, and featured 16 artists performing for America's votes during Monday night's two-hour episode on NBC.

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This game-changing, live round features artists from opposing teams competing head-to-head live for home viewer votes that will ultimately determine the sixteenth season's Top 24 artists.

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For the first time in The Voice history, coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and John Legend are each able to select an artist from his or her team in real time to compete live against an artist from a different team in a series of faceoffs.

The live Cross Battles round began with 32 artists in the competition.

Eight pairs of artists were chosen through a schoolyard-pick type of format to perform on Monday night.

The Voice host Carson Daly kicked off the format by asking Blake to choose a team member to compete in a Cross Battle.

Blake picked Kim Cherry and then chose to challenge Kelly's team. Kelly therefore selected Betsy Ade to compete.

Kim performed "Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe, and then Betsy sang "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette.

Blake said the women brought so much energy and so much fun to the stage, but he reminded viewers there's no one like Kim on the show since she's a singer and a rapper.

Kelly told Betsy she is captivating and sexy. Kelly called her "a force" and said she's not the norm on the show either.

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For a non-biased perspective, Adam pointed out Kim is unique but Betsy "really, really killed it" and he was amazed. Adam therefore said Betsy won the Cross Battle in his eyes.

The next Cross Battle began with Adam choosing his team member Mari to challenge someone from Blake's team. Blake then picked Selkii to perform.

Mari performed "My My My!" by Troye Sivan, and Selkii took the stage with "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia.

Adam told Mari she was so comfortable onstage and has "an amazing vibe."

But Blake told Selkii that she's one of his favorite artists he's ever worked with on the show and she's "the real deal."

For an unbiased opinion, John preferred Mari's performance because she came across more styled, cool and confident. Kelly agreed Mari won the Cross Battle although Selkii is "really rad."

For the next Cross Battle, John chose his team member Lisa Ramey to battle someone on Kelly's team. Kelly selected Karen Galera.

Lisa took the stage with "It Hurts So Bad" by Susan Tedeschi, while Karen performed "Unfaithful" by Rihanna.

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John told Lisa she was fierce and justified his faith in her because both her presence and her voice were strong. Kelly gushed about how Karen has a beautiful tone and she's blessed with that.

Adam, however, pointed out this was Lisa's best performance to date and so he'd choose her as the winner. And Blake agreed with Adam.

Next up was Kelly, who asked Matthew Johnson to perform against someone on Adam's team. Adam therefore selected Domenic Haynes.

Matthew belted out "Who's Lovin You" by The Jackson 5, while Domenic sang "Damn Your Eyes" by Etta James.

Kelly said Matthew's voice is capable of so much and he performed a very difficult song. Kelly was impressed by and excited for him.

Adam told Domenic he's one of the most honest, raw, emotional and powerful singers the show has ever seen. Adam added he's a beautiful and soulful singer who needs to stay on the show.

John loved both artists but complimented Domenic's stage presence and tone vs. Matthew's flawless vocals. John refused to decide between the two, and Blake opted not to help America either.

Kelly got to set up the next Cross Battle. After choosing her team member Presley Tennant to sing, Kelly opted to challenge coach John. John then chose Kayslin Victoria to compete.

Presley sang "Love On the Brain" by Rihanna, followed by Kayslin with "Stay" by Zedd & Alessia Cara.

Kelly couldn't believe what she had just witnessed with Presley, saying she performs better in front of an audience and she's so talented and "could possibly win this show."

John said Kayslin has poise beyond her years and she looked so confident.

Adam was blown away by Presley and therefore gave her the edge because she was surprising.

Carson then asked Adam to choose a team member for a Cross Battle. Adam picked Celia Babini and then chose to challenge Blake, who selected Oliv Blu to compete.

Celia took the stage with "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, and then Oliv performed "Gravity" by John Mayer.

Adam thought both singers were "fantastic" but Celia is "a star" who's unique and "so much bigger than just one moment." He said she's so many things and has so much to show.

Blake told Oliv that she "literally just jumped on the radar" with the best contestants on The Voice because it was her best performance to date and she just charmed America.

John preferred Oliv's performance because she had more energy and enthusiasm towards her specific song that was thoroughly executed. John felt Celia's song choice didn't take advantage of her strengths.

Blake was up for the next Cross Battle and he chose Dexter Roberts as well as a "Team Adam" challenge. Adam then picked Andrew Jannakos to sing.

Dexter sang "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn, and then Andrew performed "Yours" by Russell Dickerson.

Blake thought Dexter made the song his own and did it justice. He thought it was "absolutely pitch perfect" and Dexter is "going to be a star."

Adam, however, argued Andrew showed off his "unbelievable" range.

Andrew shocked Kelly, and she said he's incredibly gifted and represents new country. Kelly noted Dexter represents old country.

John said he honestly preferred Andrew's performance to Dexter's because he "wowed" everyone.

The final Cross Battle belonged to John, who picked Maelyn Jarmon to challenge someone from Adam's team. Adam therefore selected Rod Stokes.

Maelyn took the stage with "Mad World" by Michael Andrews, and then Rod performed "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You" by Helene Fischer and Michael Bolton.

John called Maelyn a gifted singer, saying she made excellent stylistic, intelligent and dynamic choices.

And Adam argued the story of the night was Rod, who "took the whole house down" and shocked his former coach.

Voting opened at the end of Monday night's broadcast, and the artists with the most home viewer votes within each Cross-Battle pairing will advance to the next round.

Carson Daly will reveal the first set of results on The Voice's Tuesday night episode on April 16 at 8PM ET/PT.

In this round, Adam, John, Kelly and Blake will each be allowed one "Save" and one "Steal." The coaches will only have 10 seconds live to make a decision after the results of any given Cross Battle are announced.

An artist can be stolen from an opposing coach's team, while the "Save" allows a coach to keep a certain, beloved team member on his or her own team going forward.

Next week, the Live Cross Battles will continue on Monday, April 22 from 8-10PM ET/PT, and Tuesday, April 23 from 8-9PM ET/PT.

"In another unprecedented first, coaches could enter the Top 24 live show with uneven teams as America decides the winner of each Cross Battle," according to NBC.




About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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