John Legend cried uncontrollably after being moved by a singer’s performance on Tuesday’s episode of The Voice on NBC.
The 44-year-old singer got emotional during the Knockouts stage performance of Lennon VanderDoes, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware.
He wiped away tears after giving Lennon a standing ovation for his cover of I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz.
‘Ever since I became a dad, I definitely cry a lot more than I used to,’ John said. ‘It’s hitting me more.’
‘I love you so much right now,’ said fellow coach Gwen Stefani, 54, who also was brought to tears by Lennon’s performance.
Tears flowing: John Legend cried uncontrollably after being moved by a singer’s performance on Tuesday’s episode of The Voice on NBC
The coaches had just watched as Team Niall Horan contestants Alexa Wildish, 33, from Lyons, Colorado, sang Believe by Cher; and Julia Roome, 13, from Warwick, New Jersey, sang Unstoppable by Sia, followed by Lennon,
‘Lennon, I thought of you as the underdog,’ John said crying as his voice cracked. ‘I just felt you like being fully yourself and it felt so moving to me.’
Reba McEntire, 68, after crying earlier this season walked over and gave John a tissue. John told Alexa her song was perfect and that he was stunned by what Julia did, too.
‘I just can’t believe what just happened,’ Niall said. ‘It’s honestly my favorite moment on The Voice. These two crying says it all. And there’s no steals or saves left…’
During rehearsals, Alexa threw her heart into the song and brought her fellow contestants and mega mentor Wynonna Judd to tears.
‘Last night, I drove through Laurel Canyon and I went by Joni Mitchell’s house,’ Wynonna said. ‘She’s my hero. You remind me of a young Joni.’
During rehearsals, Julia was also passionate and determined to win.
‘I just want the coaches to see this strong and powerful woman at 13,’ Julia said. ‘ I am still the youngest in this competition. But I don’t get knocked down easily.’
Got emotional: The 44-year-old singer got emotional during the Knockouts stage performance of Lennon VanderDoes, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware
Also tearful: Gwen Stefani also was moved to tears by Lennon’s performance
Helping hand: New coach Reba McEntire brought John a tissue
More crying: Niall Horan also wiped tears away
‘I am amazed by Julia at 13 years old doing what she’s doing on this show,’ Wynonna said. ‘She is a force to be reckoned with.’
Wynonna encouraged her to really follow her heart during her performance.
‘Let me feel it, in here,’ Wynonna said. ‘I have one more thing to say: be on time, be kind, and listen more and talk less. I was not that girl, and I had people telling me those things.’
Lennon said the lyrics in his song reminded him of his marriage of nothing giving up on his singing career.
‘I love Lennon so much because his voice is high and so unique and I think he’s very special,’ Wynonna said.
Wynonna told him he was a blessing.
‘And open your eyes you are so adorable,’ Wynonna said. ‘I want to just come up and hug you.’
Gwen gushed after their performances about Alexa.
‘Alexa, nobody does what you just did anymore,’ Gwen said. ‘It was just so magical for me, I loved it so much.’
‘And Lennon, you made us both cry,’ Gwen said. ‘It was so moving because it was done intentionally with the lyrics. There’s no winner for me.’
Niall ultimately declared Alexa the winner of the round and she was stunned as she advanced to the playoffs.
Tough decision: Niall ultimately declared Alexa the winner of the round and she was stunned as she advanced to the playoffs
Stunned reaction: Alexa was stunned to be named the winner
‘I choose Alexa as the winner because she is a one-in-a-million talent,’ Niall said.
‘That knockout performance from all three of them was insane,’ Niall said. ‘I’ve never felt emotion like it.’
The show kicked off with John setting up a three-way battle between Mac Royals, 30, from Wrightsville, Arkansas; Taylor Deneen, 23, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Brandon Montel, 30, from Memphis.
Mac won the coaches over with his rendition of Robin Thicke’s Lost Without U. He said in a confessional that he watched his father go from a prisoner to a business owner opening a speakeasy lounge when he was released.
‘My dad always did an amazing job of creating opportunities for me to grow,’ Mac said.
Taylor sang Sweet Thing by Rufus and Chaka Khan.
‘A classic,’ John said. ‘Girl you can sing.’
John encouraged her to make her energy more sultry.
More sultry: John encouraged Taylor during rehearsal to make her energy more sultry
Brandon performed Nobody Gets Me by SZA.
‘Brandon you’ve taken on a challenge,’ John said in a rehearsal.
Wynonna encouraged him to tell him a story with his singing.
After they all sang, Niall and Gwen both said they would go with Mac. John agreed and picked Mac in the end.
Just as Taylor was saying her goodbyes, John pressed her button to save her. Taylor walked over and hugged John.
‘Taylor is a really special singer,’ John said. ‘Her voice is so sweet but when she goes for those big notes, it’s also really powerful.’
John hugged her backstage.
‘We are going to the playoffs,’ John said.
Team Reba contestant Jordan Rainer, 33, from Atoka, Oklahoma, sang Hole In The Bottle by Kelsea Ballerini and beat out both Caitlin Quisenberry and Elizabeth Evans.
‘Love you hon,’ Jordan said to Reba when she picked her to move on.
At the end of the hour-long show, host Carson Daly, 50, announced a new twist this season was being introduced that would allow the coaches to each bring back one contestant. Who they each picked will be revealed on the next episode.
Saved her: Just as Taylor Deneen as saying her goodbyes, John pressed her button to save her
The Voice will return next week on NBC.
Season 23 of The Voice was won by Niall with his singer Gina Miles, 20.
This season is the first without country star Blake Shelton, 47, who had been a coach on The Voice since its premiere in April 2011.
Dan + Shay will be new coaches next season and will share a two-person chair for the first time on the NBC show.
