Entertainment
Chemistry sparks in "battle round" singing competition duet
When two contestants are pitted against each other in a duet-style sing-off, they make fans forget they're even competing.
Jessica
07.10.19

The reality singing competition The Voice has grown so popular that more and more countries are getting their own versions.

While you may never see an episode of The Voice Nigeria live, one special performance is making its way around the world in the form of a viral video.

The epic duet took place in the second round of the competition, called the “Cross Battles.”

The show starts off with blind auditions in which judges sit facing away from singers and can only see them once they agree to potentially have a performer on their team. That’s followed by the battle rounds in which contestants on the same team perform together and only one is chosen the winner.

The Cross Battles pit performers from opposing teams against each other and the one with the most votes goes on to the live rounds.

In Season 2 of the competition in 2017, contestants J’Dess and Chris Rio performed the 1990 Extreme hit “More Than Words.”

But it hardly looked like the two were competitors!

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

Commenters picked up on not just the vocals but the chemistry between the pair.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

But they are, indeed, competitors, so one can be deemed the winner – and it’s clearly a tough choice.

Chris Rio’s smooth, relaxing vocals are something you could listen to all day.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

And when J’Dess joins in, it’s obvious that there’s no clear winner. Her voice is equally stunning.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

But let’s face it, it’s the duo’s harmonies that have us hooked.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

And fans were guessing at some behind-the-scenes chemistry as well.

While we’re not sure what their romantic status is, the two are still performing together every now and then in their post-The Voice careers. And it’s no surprise if you take a listen to the video below!

Their voices certainly compliment one another. And after their vocal “battle” gets personal, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if there were “more than words” between the two.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

Many claimed it was one of the best duets they had seen on any version of The Voice.

But others pointed out that much of it is theatrics since J’Dess oozed chemistry in all of her battle rounds – she’s just a gifted performer who makes the audience feel what she’s singing – and in this case, it’s a love song.

Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube
Source:
Screencap/The Voice Nigeria via YouTube

As it turns out, both performers are actually quite shy and took about a week to discuss how they would pull off their steamy performance.

In an interview after the show, they denied being a couple but certainly played up their chemistry saying they had to “be in love for a whole week” to get that kind of emotion into their final performance.

Screencap via Africa Magic TV
Source:
Screencap via Africa Magic TV

There’s no straight answer to the “are they or aren’t they” question – but the real question is “who won?”

There can only be one winner – or can there?

J’Dess got the votes, securing her position in the next round. But her partner got a “save” when all of the other judges pressed their buttons to ensure he would live to sing another round.

While neither won the overall competition, they both have music careers in Nigeria and beyond.

Be sure to scroll down to see their emotional duet below – it’s worth the watch!

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