Adam Levine may have found a serious contender for the Live Shows — and he didn’t hold back when explaining just how impressed he was. 🎤🔥
During the October 26, 2026, episode of The Voice, Team Adam singers Lexi Stephens and Marilyn Hucek faced off with Paramore’s emotionally charged rock ballad “All I Wanted.” Their performance delivered powerful vocals, dramatic high notes, and two very different musical styles, leaving the coaches amazed and making Levine’s decision especially difficult.
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But after hearing both singers, Adam made his choice — and his comments about Lexi afterward were even more revealing. He described her as “otherworldly,” praised her ability to sing anything, and declared, “I think she’s my finalist.”
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That is a huge statement at this stage of the competition, although it is not an official confirmation that Lexi has secured a place in the Live Shows. With Cut Week still ahead, she will have to keep proving herself.
1. A Paramore classic becomes a fierce Battle Round showdown
Paramore’s “All I Wanted” is a demanding choice for a singing competition. The track builds from a haunting, restrained sound into a powerful rock climax, requiring a singer to balance emotional vulnerability with serious vocal strength.
For Lexi and Marilyn, the song offered an opportunity to show what made each of them distinctive. Marilyn brought a textured, alternative-rock quality to her performance, while Lexi delivered the kind of forceful vocals that could fill the stage.
The pairing also created a compelling contrast: rather than sounding like two versions of the same singer, the contestants approached the song in ways that highlighted their individual strengths.
Their performance quickly became one of the matchups that had the coaches discussing not only vocal ability, but also which artist might have the strongest potential for the next stages of the competition.
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2. Queen Latifah gets out of her chair
Queen Latifah was so impressed that she got out of her chair to react to the performance. She praised Lexi’s powerful lower register, while complimenting Marilyn’s tone, texture, and vibrato.
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Her reaction captured the dilemma at the heart of the Battle: both singers had qualities worth keeping, but only one could win the matchup on Team Adam.
Latifah’s comments also showed that the performance was not simply about who could reach the biggest note. Marilyn’s vocal texture and control stood out, while Lexi’s range and ability to shift between vocal styles made her a formidable competitor.
3. Kelly Clarkson compares the singers to very different forces
Kelly Clarkson offered one of the most memorable descriptions of the two singers. She compared Marilyn to a clever, unpredictable fox because of the subtle difficulty of her vocal approach. Lexi, meanwhile, reminded Clarkson of a powerful mountain lion — a singer with a fierce presence and an ability to surprise the audience.
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Clarkson acknowledged that Marilyn’s performance had plenty of intricacy, but she leaned toward Lexi when considering who should advance.
Her feedback reflected the contrast between the contestants. Marilyn offered nuance and an alternative-rock edge, while Lexi brought a commanding intensity that made her hard to ignore.
For Adam Levine, hearing another coach favor Lexi may have reinforced what he was already thinking — but the final decision remained his.
4. Riley Green sees something special in Lexi’s range
Riley Green was also impressed by the performance, particularly Lexi’s range. He acknowledged the appeal of Marilyn’s 1990s-inspired punk style, showing that the two contestants had made different kinds of impressions on the panel.
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That difference made the matchup interesting. Marilyn had a recognizable style and a distinctive vocal texture, while Lexi demonstrated the kind of power and precision that could work across a range of songs.
In a competition where versatility can be crucial, Lexi’s ability to deliver a powerful rock performance helped strengthen the case for keeping her on Team Adam.
The coaches’ reactions made one thing clear: choosing a winner would mean weighing two different kinds of talent, not simply deciding which singer could hit the loudest note.
5. Adam Levine reveals why Lexi stood out
When it was time to make the decision, Adam praised both singers for what they brought to the performance. He acknowledged Marilyn’s improvement from rehearsal to the stage, while describing Lexi’s power and precision as major strengths.
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Ultimately, Adam followed his instincts and chose Lexi Stephens as the winner of the Battle.
But his most striking comment was his description of Lexi as “otherworldly.” He praised her ability to sing anything, emphasized how powerful she was, and added that he thought she was his finalist.
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That statement is particularly significant because coaches are not simply choosing the best performance of the night. They are trying to identify artists who can survive the increasingly difficult rounds ahead and potentially make an impression during the Live Shows.
Adam’s confidence suggests he sees Lexi as more than a strong rock vocalist — he sees someone who could become a major contender for his team.
6. What happens to Marilyn Hucek?
Although Marilyn delivered a performance that earned praise from the coaches, Adam ultimately selected Lexi to advance. Marilyn’s journey on the show therefore ended with this Battle Round result.
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Her elimination does not erase the strengths she showed onstage. The coaches recognized her distinctive tone, texture, vibrato, and alternative-rock style. But in a head-to-head competition, a strong performance does not always guarantee that a contestant will move forward.
Lexi’s combination of vocal power, precision, and ability to make an immediate impact proved decisive in this matchup.
7. Is Lexi Stephens really Adam Levine’s potential finalist?
Adam’s comment has given fans a reason to watch Lexi closely as Season 30 moves into Cut Week. However, being called a potential finalist is not the same as officially reaching the finale.
The next stage will require the coaches to narrow their teams further. Each coach can select two artists to advance directly to the Live Shows, while the remaining contestants compete for the final place on their team.
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Lexi has clearly made a strong impression on her coach, but she will still need to deliver when the stakes rise. If she continues to combine the power and precision Adam praised with the versatility he believes she possesses, she could become one of Team Adam’s artists to watch.
For now, her Paramore Battle has delivered one of the season’s most memorable endorsements from a coach — and a major boost heading into the next round.
