Triumph and heartbreak

“The Voice” stage

Perhaps from the title alone, you’ve gathered that, yes, we are at the Battle Rounds in “The Voice Teens.” You’ll be able to watch this suspenseful, thrilling and heartbreaking stage of the competition starting this Sunday. Oh, here we
go again.

This is how the rounds go: Two singers from one team walk into the ring and, with a song chosen by their coach, engage in vocal fisticuffs. Following the performance, the coaches from the other teams give comments or criticism, and choose who they think won the battle. Then, the competing artists’ coach gives his or her say, and chooses one artist who will move forward to the next round. Each coach goes through this seven times.

However, the story doesn’t always end here. For this season, we have The Steals.

Once we’re given the signal that the artist left onstage is up for a steal, the coaches then decide if they want to grab that artist to join their teams. If one coach presses his or her button, the artist automatically goes to him/her.

However, if more than one hits, the artist then gets to have his or her pick of which team he or she would like to join. Each coach is allowed only two steals, which means we all have to be very picky.

When a steal happens, the whole studio is whipped up into a frenzy. The audience is screaming, the staff is going nuts, and there’s so much celebrating by everyone. It means that young artist gets another well-deserved shot.

The music heard at Battles ranged from old favorites to brand-new hits, from classical and R&B to pop and soul, from the big and bombastic to quiet and intimate, from ballads to lively up-tempo numbers. It was a cornucopia of musical styles, which should make each episode a delight to watch.

The decisions that we get to make in this show are always gut-wrenching, as none of us wants to see anyone leave. We all appeal for that precious steal, as we feel that every single one of our kids deserves another shot.

We coach each pairing as best we can, reminding them to give it their absolute best, because there’s always the possibility that they’ll end up joining another team. We saw some incredible people walk away. It’s a cruel process, but it’s one we have to undergo.

We’ve had considerable emotional ups and downs during this round, more than we’ve probably ever experienced before. Many tears have been shed by both winners and losers and, at times, coaches.

However, this only means that these teens have made fans out of us. Their hard work, passion, commitment and heart have earned them nothing but our immense admiration and respect.

To all the teens about to enter the ring, let me say it is such a privilege to have this opportunity to have a hand in your mentorship. Thank you for your trust and talent. Good luck to each and every one of you.

Let the battles begin!