Two contestants from Alabama faced a major test during Season 30 of The Voice as Cut Week determined who would move on to the Live Shows. For 19-year-old Joe Henley of Grand Bay and 26-year-old Anna McElroy of Mobile, the results were very different, but both singers secured a place in the next round.

The November 2 episode featured a major change in the competition. Each coach had seven artists on their team but could only take three of them forward. Coaches first selected two contestants to advance automatically, leaving the other five to compete for the final spot with one performance.

Henley did not receive an automatic selection from coach Riley Green, despite making a strong impression during his Blind Audition and Battle round. Green chose Cade Mower, 35, from Bluffdale, Utah, and sister duo Ferryn and Brinkley Wright, ages 20 and 18, from Sevierville, Tennessee.

That left Henley fighting for the final place on Team Riley. He delivered a powerful version of Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” impressing all four coaches.

Kelly Clarkson reacted almost immediately, saying, “Oh my God,” before Henley had even finished the first line.

The 19-year-old had previously admitted that he had never performed outside his church. However, his natural vocal ability and confident delivery showed how much potential he had. He also appeared more comfortable on stage than during his earlier performances, making eye contact with people in the audience as he sang.

After the performance, host Carson Daly suggested it might be the first time all four coaches had given a standing ovation that night.

Green praised Henley for capturing Whitley’s distinctive phrasing while still making the song his own. He also explained why the young singer stood out from the other contestants.

“Joe’s voice is warm but also it has a cut to it that will really make you put your beer down and look up to see who’s singing,” Green said.

The coach made his decision clear, telling Henley, “Joe, you crushed it, man.” He ultimately chose the Alabama singer for his final spot on Team Riley.

McElroy had a less stressful night. The country singer was among Kelly Clarkson’s first two selections, alongside 15-year-old Koumba Diallo from Delano, California. Clarkson later chose 13-year-old Brianna Cameron from Union, New Jersey, as her final contestant.

McElroy appeared grateful for the coach’s confidence in her.

“I’m so honored, honestly, that she’s trusting me so much,” she said.

Clarkson explained that the singer had earned her place through her preparation and performance.

“You were really ready and I had to reward it,” the coach told her.

Henley and McElroy are now among the 12 contestants selected by their coaches to advance. One more singer will join them after viewers vote for their favorite among the contestants eliminated during Cut Week, bringing the Top 13 together for the Live Shows.

The next episode of The Voice is scheduled to air Monday, November 9, at 8 p.m. Central Time on NBC. New episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the following day.