Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Deandre Nico and Funsho perform during the battle round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

DeAndre Nico and Funsho were one of the last duos to perform during The Voice battle rounds.

So when DeAndre was announced as thee winner by coach Adam Levine, Funsho wasn’t even certain a steal was a possibility.

As it turned out, he was saved from elimination by the final battle round steal of Season 15.

And it came from an unexpected source, Blake Shelton, the only coach who didn’t turn around during Funsho’s blind audition.

“I’m more flattered at the fact that he stole me after not turning in the blinds because that means that he saw the growth and he saw the work that I put in between the blinds and the battle,” Funsho said. “And, you know, he’s willing to nurture that and work with me.

“So I’m excited to work with Blake and see where we can take this,” he added. “At the same time it’s really an honor to have the privilege to have worked with two people who are veterans on the show. Now I get to work with Blake,o who has a lot of insight that’s different from maybe what Adam might be able to provide.”

DeAndre and Funsho performed New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain.”

DeAndre said the secret to their success was the connection he and Funsho were able to make.”

“We had a great connection,” he told Voice Views. “We didn’t go into the battle with like envy or trying to outdo each other. We just went in trying to make each other succeed and that was it.”

And if Funsho had doubts about a steal, DeAndre didn’t.

“I personally knew one of us was going to get a stolen because we both did our best. We all left it out on the table so and it was a tremendous battle.”

DeAndre, 23 when he auditioned, is from Port Arthur, Texas. He turned all four chairs in the blind audition with his rendition of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” before joining Team Adam.

Funsho, 28 when he auditioned, is a native of Nigeria but called the D.C. area home before heading to L.A. to pursue music full time. He turned three chairs in the blinds singing “Finesse” by Bruno Mars.

The knockout round begins tonight on The Voice.

Funsho and Deandre Nico rehearse for their battle round match on The Voice. (NBC Photo)