Carrie Underwood Classic Sparks Epic ‘The Voice’ Battle Between Lauren Anderson and Makenzie Phipps

Lauren Anderson and Makenzie Phipps delivered a soulful rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” during The Voice Battles, leaving coach Snoop Dogg with a tough decision between the two aspiring artists.

Both Anderson and Phipps brought their own take to the multi-week chart-topper, commanding the stage and even getting Snoop out of his chair dancing along. Fellow coaches, including Niall Horan and Michael Bublé, were clearly enjoying the performance, with Bublé smiling from ear to ear and Horan playing the air drums.

Horan admitted he was thankful he didn’t have to choose a winner.

“I love a good old school Voice battle! That is what you call that,” he said. “Mackenzie, you performed a song in a completely different way. In your part, you kept yourself to yourself, did your thing, hit some crazy notes. And Lauren, you’re a powerhouse. That scream that you did… you did that. You were like, ‘ah!!!’ me and Bublé looked at each other, ‘like what?!’ I don’t even know where to start with who you choose. That is so 50/50, it’s beyond belief. Well done ladies.”

Reba McEntire also praised both contestants and noted she believed Carrie Underwood herself would approve of the performances.

“You gals are terrific singers, performers, you get into it, you commit. Carrie doesn’t record easy songs. She’s going to be so proud. Lauren, you came out of the gate ready, Mackenzie, great performance too. I’m very proud of you both, that if I had to make a decision, I think it would be Lauren,” McEntire revealed.

Bublé agreed with McEntire’s choice.

“Mackenzie, I love your voice. Sweet and so smooth, and you were perfect on the notes. I mean, it was perfection. There’s nothing to critique. Lauren, you were doing this and then all of a sudden you went like this and you went and you spun and I went like, ‘whoa.’ I would move towards Lauren just because of that awesome sprinting move,” he explained.

Ultimately, it was up to Snoop Dogg to decide who would advance in the competition.

“Mackenzie, you are a superstar,” he said. “The way you sing, the way you move, the way you talk, the way you look, you got the whole get out. I just love to hear you talk. You remind me when Ms. Reba talks, how many people you going to inspire and motivate based off of where you come from. Blue Field, Virginia, who’s going to be inspired by what you did tonight.”

Then he addressed Lauren Anderson: “Such a strong performance, the way you came out the gate and the way you assisted your little sister. I love the sisterhood. This is what I love more than anything when you all become a family and you showed me why you are a great vocalist. Thank you for what you did.”

In the end, Snoop Dogg chose Lauren Anderson as the winner, sending her through to the next round.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.