We’ve been watching The Voice for 16 seasons now, but we always need a refresher when it comes to the rules of the game. As contestants move into the Battle Round, "steals" become a major part of the competition.
Coaches Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Blake Shelton can no longer prevent newbie John Legend, who was blocked three times from adding an artist to his team during the blind auditions, from taking talented singers for his lineup.
Before the Battle Round commences, scroll down for a quick cheat sheet on the art of the steal.
The coaches can each steal two artists from other teams during the Battle Round. However, it’s important to note that a contestant can only be stolen if they lose their battle. Winners of each battle automatically stay with their initial coaches.
Voice producer Mark Burnett previously said of the steal, "It’s been a very kind experience. We try to create a very kind experience on this show where people who deserve to stay have a chance to stay."
If multiple coaches press their buttons to steal a singer, that artist can choose which team they’d like to join. If no one presses a button, that individual is eliminated from the competition. At the end of the Battle Round, each coach will have eight contestants left.
In the show’s first six episodes, it was clear that Adam, Kelly, and Blake were intimidated by EGOT winner John, who managed to secure three artists with four-chair turnarounds.
"I’ve never been more terrified to be on this show with a coach than John Legend," Kelly admitted before the season started. "He’s everyone’s threat."
Adam added, "John is a threat. I mean, John has like 4,000 awards and he’s incredibly talented and very charming."
"John has got a target on his back," Blake concluded. "But you know what he doesn’t have? Six Voice trophies." An artist from the country singer's team won in Seasons 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, and 13.
Though he’s a first-time coach, John previously served as a mentor to Adam’s team in Season 12, so he has some experience giving advice to aspiring musicians. "I’ve been a guest and mentor on the show multiple times, and I’m so excited to discover talented singers and help them make the most of their gift," the 10-time Grammy winner expressed.
He also shared that The Voice allows him to stay close to his family, which includes wife Chrissy Teigen, daughter Luna, and son Miles. "It’s fun, and it’s a chance to be home," the 40-year-old told People magazine.
"You get to work in Los Angeles where you live, and I get to see my kids all the time. It’s actually quite nice… [It’s a] quick commute and I’m there when they go to bed most nights."
Will John finally get a leg up on his fellow coaches with a couple of strategic steals? Tune in to NBC’s The Voice on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET to find out!