Kelly Clarkson hits back after Nick Jonas ‘really messed up’ his pairings again

Kelly Clarkson is on the hunt on “The Voice.”

The former “American Idol” star secured the coveted fourth chair in the second and final knockout round on Monday after Nick Jonas “really messed up” his pairings (again).

To show the youth of his team, Jonas pitted 21-year-old Zae Romeo against 16-year-old Rachel Mac, but immediately regretted it.

“They’re two of my youngest and two of my favorites, and I feel like an idiot for putting them together. Oops,” Jonas said. Mega-mentor Snoop Dogg added his two cents, saying he would “hate to be the one to choose between those two,” with Jonas agreeing, “I would too.”

(If this sounds familiar, it’s because Jonas made the same mistake during Battles two weeks ago. He called himself an “idiot” at the time, but apparently hasn’t learned from his mistake.)

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Romeo sang “Electric Love” by Børns during his direct duel with Mac, who performed a rendition of “Foolish Games” by Jewel.

“I’m touched,” Clarkson said after Romeo’s performance. To Mac, the youngest singer in the competition, she said: “I can’t believe you’re only 16. That’s outrageous.”

Shelton scoffed, “I’m curious to see what Nick is up to here.”

Jonas chose Mac as the winner and called her his “secret pick.” This put Romeo on the brink of elimination, but not for long. Clarkson immediately hit her steal button.

“It’s obvious. I rooted for you in the blinds, I loved you in the battles, from home in my pajamas,” Clarkson said, referring to her brief break due to illness. “Your voice gave me goosebumps throughout the entire performance.”

“Zae is amazing,” she added. “I think Nick really screwed up there.”

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Monday’s episode also marked the beginning of the four-way knockout.

And this is how it works: The four artists saved by their coaches in the battles compete for America’s vote. The singer with the most votes goes into the live playoffs.

“We literally have four very different styles and four great voices doing their best,” Jonas said. “That’s what this show is about. It’s up to you at home to decide who sticks around.”

Legend has it that the quadruple knockout was the “most stressful part” of the competition. No pressure.

Carolina Rial of Team Legend sang “Anyone” by Demi Lovato, Savanna Woods of Team Clarkson performed a rendition of “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden, Emma Caroline of Team Shelton performed a version of “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn, and Devan Blake Jones of Team Jonas sang “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles.

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Legend said Rial’s powerful performance was a “call to action for America.” Shelton said he “couldn’t be happier” with Caroline’s performance. Clarkson praised Woods’ “incredible” vocal range, while Jonas said Jones delivered the “best vocal performance we’ve heard from you yet.”

Voting is open on The Voice’s official app and on NBC.com/VoiceVote until 7 a.m. ET Tuesday. The winner of the four-way elimination competition will be announced at the start of the live shows in May.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘The Voice’: Kelly Clarkson hits back after Nick Jonas ‘messed up’