Kelly Clarkson says she was instantly “in love” with a contestant during the premiere of The Voice, praising the singer’s talent and calling it a true gift.

The Voice: Battle of Champions made its debut on Monday, Feb. 23, with Kelly Clarkson among the featured coaches.

Kelly Clarkson couldn’t hide her excitement over a standout contestant on The Voice.

During the Feb. 23 premiere of Battle of Champions, singer Jonah Mayor impressed Clarkson so much that she quickly called his audition her favorite of the night. After he performed Il Mondo by Il Volo, Clarkson praised him enthusiastically, describing his talent as an incredible gift and reacting with visible excitement after hugging him.

Coach Adam Levine also turned his chair for the New York–based performer, though he joked that competing against Clarkson would be difficult. He complimented Mayor’s unique style, strong stage presence, and powerful voice, calling him a complete performer.

Although John Legend didn’t turn his chair, he still applauded the audition, describing it as flawless and praising the singer’s charisma.

Before Mayor made his choice, Clarkson made an emotional pitch, comparing his vocal style to Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli. She passionately urged him to join her team, saying she wanted to help showcase his remarkable voice.

After a brief pause, Mayor ultimately chose Clarkson as his coach. She responded with excitement, saying she felt strongly about his talent and wanted to help more people discover his voice across different languages. Later, in a confessional, Clarkson shared that she has a special appreciation for opera-style singers with powerful, full-bodied voices and admitted she would have been devastated if he had picked Levine instead.