Telemundo's LA VOZ KIDS Kicks Off Battle Rounds

The first night of "Battle Rounds" on TELEMUNDO's "La Voz Kids," (The Voice Kids) was a highly emotional one, bringing 18 talented young voices face-to-face to compete to be one of six selected continuing to the Final phase. Coaches Daddy Yankee, Natalia Jimenez and Pedro Fernandez, with the support of Mentors Becky G, Maluma and Victor Manuelle, prepared the first group of contestants for the much anticipated "Battle Rounds," where three members from each team compete against each other by performing the same song together. After each Battle, the Coaches had to make the very difficult decision of choosing who goes to the Final phase of the hit singing competition. Six additional voices will be selected next Sunday, May 3, at 8pm/7c, as 18 more kids compete in the electrifying "Battle Rounds" from the Universal Orlando Resort.

Following is a recap of last night's episode:

#TeamYankee:

• Competed: Arnold Cruz, Valeria Gomez and Hiram Silva
• Song performed: "De qué manera te olvido" (Vicente Fernández)
• Winner: ARNOLD CRUZ, 13 years old, from Santa Clarita, California

"You are three champions but Arnold impressed me the most by taking on the stage and singing directly to the audience," stated Coach Yankee.

• Competed: Leosmany Castillo, Jersen Ruiz and Danny Pena
• Song performed: "Me llamaré tuyo" (Victor Manuelle)
• Winner: JERSEN RUIZ, 14 years old, from Humacao, Puerto Rico

This Battle turned into a big Latin party that had the audience dancing. Coach Yankee had to work hard to get the boys into the "flow" of the song during the piano rehearsal; telling them to get inspired and sing directly to Mentor Becky G, which proved to be the key to them giving a phenomenal performance. Jersen was named the winner.

#TeamNatalia:

• Competed: Ailyn de la Garza, Antonella Henao and Alondra Suarez
• Song performed: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Marvin Gaye)
• Winner: ANTONELLA HENAO, 15 years old, from Houston, Texas

The girls really complemented and helped each other as proud members of #TeamNatalia. Coach Natalia picked Antonella, who stated: "I want to show her that I can get to the top of the mountain," while Natalia said that she has a "great voice and personality."

• Competed: Alberto Castro, Rocio Muñoz and Cristal Guzman
• Song performed: "Llorar" (Jesse y Joy)
• Winner: ALBERTO CASTRO, 15 years old, from Miami, Florida

This furious Battle was the last performance of the night. To show the best the kids could offer, Coach Natalia chose a very slow and sentimental song. The performance received a standing ovation from all, as Natalia stated: "I don't know what I was thinking when I matched these three together, but Alberto was a huge surprise."

#TeamPedro:

• Competed: Angel Gonzalez, Monica Canedo and Jesus Urbina
• Song performed: "Guantanamera" (traditional Cuban song)
• Winner: MONICA CANEDO, 10 years old, from Boyton Beach, Florida

This performance showcased the three youngest voices of the team, their singing and dancing receiving a great welcome from the audience. "Monica delivers great self-confidence on stage," said Coach Pedro, feeling regret to have to let the boys go.

• Competed: Brianna Arteaga, Ashley Acosta and Maria Isabel Eguino
• Song performed: "At Last" (Mariachi Divas)
• Winner: BRIANNA ARTEAGA, 13 years old, from Tyler, Texas

This high caliber Battle brought three great voices to the stage. Coach Pedro had a tough decision to make, naming Brianna as the winner in the end. Again, having to say goodbye to the other young talents was conflicted and emotional for all.

"La Voz Kids" gives the audience the opportunity to witness how the stars of the future are discovered and developed while the competition's Coaches search for the nation's best young voices to compete on the Sunday night reality competition. The winner receives a recording contract and a $50,000 cash prize to support their education.

For exclusive access to all the behind-the-scenes action of "La Voz Kids," fans can log onto LaVozKids.com and Telemundo.com and follow the excitement through Facebook.com/LaVozKids, Twitter.com/LaVozKids and Instagram.com/LaVozKids using #LVK, #TeamYankee, #TeamNatalia and #TeamPedro.

After "La Voz Kids," viewers can enjoy "Suelta La Sopa Extra," THE AFTER show with hosts Jorge Bernal and Erika de la Vega, featuring behind-the-scenes and exclusive moments, contestant reactions and previews of the upcoming episode.

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