After earning a coveted four-chair turn during the blind auditions, Filipino singer Jej Vinson is now competing for a slot in the Top 24 of The Voice U.S.
The 22-year-old contestant showed off his smooth singing voice through his rendition of Bruno Mars “Versace on the Floor.”
Jej performed this song for the Cross Battle, a newly implemented competition round of The Voice U.S. replacing the Knockouts.
In this round, the four coaches—Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, John Legend, and Blake Shelton—take turns challenging each other to pick the contestants who will compete for the votes.
The contestants who get the greatest number of votes from the American audience will advance to Top 24.
Jej represented Kelly Clarkson’s team and was pitted against Team Adam Levine’s LB Crew who sang the spiritual “Wade in the Water.”
The Pinoy contestant, who is based in Los Angeles, California, was praised by Kelly for being part of “the best Cross Battle" they’ve seen so far.
Kelly commended Jej for being “so talented to be able to attack a song by one of the most famous performers right now but still make it your own. If Bruno Mars saw that, he’d be like, ‘Oh, I should do that lick.’ Your runs are so incredibly powerful, but seamless and not trying too hard
and I cannot wait to see you on this show. I’m so impressed by you, Jej. Vote for Jej!”