screengrab via YouTube
Screengrab via YouTube

'The Voice': Hillary Torchiana and Kevin Hawkins Bring the Soul on Battle Round Performance of John Legend's 'Preach'

The Voice saw another competitive battle round on Monday, Oct. 24, and one of the performances featured powerhouse singers Hillary Torchiana and Kevin Hawkins singing John Legend's 2019 song, "Preach." The singers on Blake Shelton's team, were competing for a spot in the knockout rounds.

The rendition of the sentimental song showcased the high-flying vocals of both artists as they sang back and forth. Hawkins was the one to kick off the song with Torchiana joining shortly after. While showing off their own voices during their solo parts, the two also displayed powerful stage presence and near-flawless harmony when singing together. The performance clearly stunned Shelton as well as coaches Camilla Cabello, Gwen Stefani and John Legend, but only one artist could move forward.

After the song, each coach gave their feedback. Legend thanked the singers for performing his song. He gave nods to both artists, saying Torchiana "dug into the spirit of the song" and telling Hawkins that the performances reminded him "how upset" he was after being blocked by Stefani in the blind auditions.

"Honestly, you're just a really great singer. I love how you can be really soft and heartfelt and then you can get big and soulful," Legend said, adding that he would choose Hawkins.

Stefani echoed Legend's comments, commending both artists but ultimately favoring Hawkins. Cabello said Hawkins has a more developed sense of "performance presence."

In the end, Shelton congratulated both artists on the performance, saying that Torchiana had a "tall task" going up against Hawkins and she "stepped up to the plate." Shelton ultimately chose Hawkins to move forward in the competition and said he is looking to see even more from the singer in the future.

"I just think that at the end of the day, we still haven't seen everything this guy's even capable of, and for that, he won the battle for me," Blake shared after the performance.

The Voice airs on NBC on Monday and Tuesday nights. One more battle round remains on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The knockouts will begin Monday, Oct. 31.

READ MORE: 'The Voice': Team Blake Members Kate Kalvach and Madison Hughes Battle It Out on 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn'