Lexi Stephens won her Battle Round showdown with Marilyn Hucek on The Voice, earning a place in the competition and a strong endorsement from coach Adam Levine. After hearing the two Team Adam singers perform Paramore’s “All I Wanted,” Levine said he could imagine Stephens making it to the final.
The performance aired on the final night of the Battle Round. Before taking the stage, Stephens and Hucek worked on the song with Levine and advisor Alex Warren. Levine described Stephens as exceptionally gifted, while Warren noted the character of Hucek’s gritty delivery. In rehearsals, Levine encouraged Hucek to trust her ability.
The singers brought contrasting qualities to their rendition. Queen Latifah praised Stephens’ lower register and pointed to the texture and vibrato in Hucek’s voice. Riley Green highlighted Stephens’ range and Hucek’s ’90s punk-rock energy, while Kelly Clarkson praised Hucek’s distinctive vocals and described Stephens’ performance as ferocious.
Levine also recognized both artists’ contributions. He told Stephens that her vocal power, presence and feel made an imposing combination, and said Hucek had delivered a strong performance. But when it came time to choose the Battle winner, he went with Stephens, saying he was following an instinct he had held from the beginning and believed she could win the competition.
Stephens was announced as the winner, advancing in the contest. Levine later praised her as “otherworldly” and emphasized her ability to take on a range of material. He also shared his prediction that she could be his finalist, making clear how high his expectations are for his contestant.
The Battle victory gives Stephens another opportunity to demonstrate that range as the competition continues. Levine’s forecast is his assessment, rather than a guarantee of how far she will go, but the performance gave him renewed confidence in her prospects. The Voice airs Mondays on NBC.
