'The Voice': Gwen Stefani accuses Niall Horan of trying to 'distract' Mara Justine during steal

Sometimes, success on “The Voice” is a game of confidence.

Team Niall singers Huntley and Brailey Lenderman went head-to-head during the final round of Battles on Monday night with their soaring rendition of “Hold My Hand” by Hootie & the Blowfish. During rehearsals, Lenderman struggled to find her confidence in the performance.

“I love Brailey’s tone. I love the attitude that she’s got in her voice,” coach Niall Horan said. “But I don’t think she fully trusts her voice yet, and I don’t think she’s got any reason to think that way.”

The Nashville singer impressed coach Reba McEntire with her “gorgeous” vocal delivery, though it wasn’t pitch-perfect. “I did hear a few pitchy things every once in a while, but I’d probably be on the floor if I was in your position,” McEntire said.

Lenderman’s opponent Huntley captivated the coaches, including John Legend, with his gravelly tone and arresting stage presence. “The magnetism and the energy that you convey is just very attractive, and it connects people to you,” Legend told the Virginia vocalist. “There’s something special about that crackle in your voice.”

Huntley’s magnetic showmanship pulled in a victory, with the 33-year-old being declared the battle’s winner. “I genuinely think that Huntley can win this competition outright,” Horan said.

Here’s what else went down.

John Legend avenges Reba McEntire block with Brandon Montel steal

Brandon Montel and Kara Tenae of Team Gwen floored the coaches with their R&B prowess and powerhouse cover of the Brandy ballad “Have You Ever?”

Montel was a clear standout to Legend with his “rare” tone and angelic head voice.

“You would hit some of those high notes, and I was looking at Kara some of the time and expecting that it was coming out of her,” Legend told Montel. “Your higher register is so beautiful, and I love how airy it is in that middle part of your voice.”

Meanwhile, Tenae wowed coach Gwen Stefani with her “tasteful” vocals and electric emotional delivery. “You were captivating,” Stefani said.

Tenae captured a Battles win, as Stefani declared the California singer the victor. But total defeat was not in the cards for Montel. Legend, who was blocked from pitching to Montel in the blind auditions, hit his steal button and brought the Tennessee crooner onto his team.

“Brandon is such a great vocalist,” Legend said. “There’s no one that sings like him in this competition.”

“I didn’t even get a chance because Reba blocked me,” Legend told Montel. “He was a four-chair turn, and you shouldn’t be going home.”

Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani face off over Tom Nitti

Team Reba singers Alison Albrecht, Jacquie Roar and Tom Nitti kicked off the Knockouts round with moving performances of “It’s Too Late” by Carole King, “Girl” by Maren Morris and “(I Know) I’m Losing You” by The Temptations, respectively. During the Knockouts, each coach groups their singers for a trio of performances to determine who will advance in the competition.

“I’m just so proud of all three of you,” McEntire told the singers. “No matter what happens today, you don’t need to quit music (to do) anything else ‘cause the world needs to continue to hear your voices.”

In the end, McEntire chose Roar as the winner of the Knockout. However, Nitti’s story on “The Voice” received a plot twist when McEntire hit her save button to keep the country-soul powerhouse on her team.

“When I first heard you, I turned my chair because I heard that specialness in your voice,” McEntire said.

But McEntire wasn’t the only one with her eye on Nitti. Stefani hit her steal button for a chance to snag the 31-year-old singer. “That was just an amazing performance, and I’m just so curious to see what you do next,” Stefani said.

Nitti stayed loyal to his coach and remained on Team Reba. “I had (a) method to my madness. I knew I wanted Jacquie, but I also wanted Tom,” McEntire said. “Gwen tried to steal Tom? No, that wasn’t going to happen.”

Niall Horan and Gwen Stefani battle for Team Legend singer Mara Justine

Team Legend singers Caleb Sasser, Kaylee Shimizu and Mara Justine delivered soulful renditions of “Jealous” by Nick Jonas, “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin and “Without You” by Harry Nilsson, respectively.

Shimizu’s unreal vocal chops earned the 17-year-old singer a swift Knockouts victory. But Shimizu’s teammate Justine struck the right chord with coaches Stefani and Horan, who both hit their steal buttons for a chance to work with the New Jersey vocalist.

“I’m actually feeling nervous right now because I feel really passionate about you,” Stefani told Justine. “There’s so many people that can sing amazing, but there’s not a lot of people that can connect with people through their own originality.”

Horan, who lost Justine to Legend during the blind auditions, appeared to go for the deflective approach. He tried on Stefani’s pink overcoat during her conversation with Justine. “He’s totally trying to distract you from my greatness,” Stefani said.

“John will tell you I hounded him with text messages going, ‘I’m going to get you back for this,' " Horan said. “When I think of who’s great on ‘The Voice’ this season, you’re the first one that comes to mind. You’ve got something serious about you.”

Viewers will have to wait to find out which coach won over Justine in the end − her decision will be revealed on Tuesday’s episode.

'The Voice': Niall Horan gets teary-eyed with Team Reba singer Dylan Carter's elimination

'The Voice': Reba McEntire encourages 'underdog' singer Al Boogie after 'Jolene' performance

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Voice': Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan fight over singer Mara Justine