The Voice: Niall Horan saves young singers Ryley Tate Wilson, 15, and Gina Miles, 19, on NBC show

Niall Horan picked a pair of teen singers to advance to The Voice’s live semifinals on Monday, and the new judge boldly declared he could win the NBC show.

The 29-year-old Irish singer decided to save 15-year-old singer Ryley Tate Wilson and 19-year-old Gina Miles during the two-hour episode, while eliminating three acts.

“I have two incredible young singers who are going to capture the hearts of the nation,” Niall said. “And I believe the winner of Season 23 of The Voice is on my team.”

In the second round of the playoffs, Kelly Clarkson’s team took on Niall’s.

The singers from Team Kelly went first. Kelly’s “silky-smooth” singer D. Smooth, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama, was the first contestant to perform. Opening the show, he said he was thankful Kelly, 41, used her Playoff Pass to help him skip the knockout rounds.

“I’m literally the only person on Team Kelly who got the Playoff Pass,” said D. Smooth. “I’m a little anxious, but I try not to be.”

D. Smooth sang an emotional and soulful rendition of Khalid’s Location.

“That was insane,” said new judge Chance The Rapper, 30. “There’s a lot of improv in it. You started making it your own song. I picture you in front of hundreds and thousands of screaming fans as you do your little improvisations.’

“I don’t know if anyone has lived up to his name like you, man,” said coach Blake Shelton, 46, who previously announced this was his last season with The Voice.

Ross Clayton, 33, a father of three from McLoud, Illinois, went next on Niall’s team. Ross put his music career on hold to start a family, but went back to pursuing his passion. Niall said he was proud of him.

Ross sang U2’s With Or Without You. Niall encouraged him to be more conversational with his singing. Ross followed his advice and even ended his performance on his knees.

“That thing on the end on your knees, I loved it,” Kelly said.

“I thought it was incredible, I don’t know why people don’t do that song more often,” said Blake.

“I think you have to be an Irish coach to get it approved,” said Kelly.

“I know that man,” Niall said.

“I don’t know that song at all,” Chance said.

Chance thought it was a Keith Urban song and Kelly stood up and playfully slapped him.

“This isn’t Keith Urban,” Kelly said.

Kelly told him it was a super famous song.

“Okay, I’ll check out this new group of U2,” Chance joked.

Niall and Kelly laughed. Chance later clarified that he actually knew about U2 and Bono.

Kelly’s four-seat turn, Cait Martin, 33, of Atlanta, went next. She chose the song Alone from Heart. She said it brought back memories because she used to sing the song in the car with her mom.

“That was great,” Niall said after her performance. ‘Well done.’

“I thought you killed him,” Chance said. “I love how you did the slow walk forward in the beginning when it was sort of a lower register. And once you went outside it just brightened up the room. It was amazing.’

Blake said he noticed that on some of her runs, her throw momentarily went off.

‘Do they have Irish Spring soap in Ireland,’ Blake asked Niall during one of the intermissions.

“No, it’s obviously a good sale for the Americans who love all things Irish,” Niall said.

Nialls singer Gina from Paxton, Illinois was the next participant.

“Her ability to tell a story is insane,” Niall told the camera.

Gina played Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game for her to sing. All the judges gave her a standing ovation when she finished.

“It was great, what can I say?” Chance said.

“That was crazy!” said Kelly. “You came back on the low note that is so moody and mysterious. You are great. I love you.’

“That was my favorite thing I’ve heard in a long time,” Blake said.

Niall told Gina it was her best performance to date and it gave him goosebumps.

“You totally wrecked it,” Niall said.

Neil Salsich, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, went next on Kelly’s team. He said that he had been chasing the dream of becoming a professional musician for about ten years. Neil chose John Hiatt’s song Have A Little Faith In Me to perform.

“Neil, all you ever do is come here and be awesome,” Blake said.

“It was just a very dynamic performance,” said Chance. ‘Great song choice. I feel like you could win everything.’

Team Niall’s Tasha Jessen, 21, originally from Pakistan but who now lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, went next. Niall stole her from Blake on the last lap.

“There was no way I was going to let you go anywhere,” Niall said.

Tasha sang Here by Alessia Cara. She said she related to the lyrics about being an outcast coming to America from another country.

“I feel like when you started it was a bit rocky, but once you got used to it, you took full and total control of the song,” said Chance.

Kelly said she didn’t feel it was her best performance.

Soul singer Ali, 24, from Walnut, California, who was born completely deaf, was the next contestant on Kelly’s team to perform. Ali chose to sing Tori Kelly’s Never Alone. She dedicated the song to her uncle and her two grandmothers who all died before entering the contest.

Ali sang surrounded by three backing singers who hugged her when she finished.

“You impress me so much every week,” Chance said. “I know you’re phenomenal and I know you’re going to kill it and then you’ll just do better than I thought. Firework!’

Nialls singer Michael B., 29, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, then took the stage. He sang The Joke by Brandi Carlile and when he finished Kelly ran over and hugged him.

“That was so crazy,” Kelly said. “I’m trying not to cry, that was so good.”

“I don’t know how you can’t keep it up because I haven’t seen anyone put more of themselves into a performance than you,” said Blake.

Kelly’s singer Holly Brand, 22, of Meridian, Mississippi, chose Bring On The Rain by Jo Dee Messina. Kelly started crying during her rehearsal.

“Kelly makes me believe in myself,” Holly said.

“I thought you did a great job,” Blake said after her performance.

Ryley, from Montgomery, Alabama, sang the song When The Party’s Over by Billie Eiish. He said the song was about feeling lonely for him and he told it because he sometimes felt distant from his four siblings, who were sportier than him.

“I see a glimpse of myself in him,” Niall said in a confessional. “But he has this maturity in him. He’s way past his age, and I certainly wasn’t like that when I was 15, so to speak.’

“Ryley Tate, you’re great,” Chance said. You surprise me every week. I don’t know how I forget there’s a 15-year-old on the show who does this sort of thing, but I thought that was the biggest show of control of all the performances today. I would think it a shame if you didn’t go through to the next round.’

“You’re so good,” Kelly said.

“You need to put Ryley through,” Blake said.

“To think that Ryley is only 15 years old just baffles me,” said Niall.

Kelly ended up choosing D. Smooth and Holly to move on to the live show. For the contestants going home, Kelly said she would continue to support them.

“This is not the end, I will support you in every way after this show, no matter what your dream is,” Kelly told her other contestants that she had to let go.

Niall picked Ryley and Gina to advance to the live semifinals.

“He’s an incredible talent,” Niall said of Ryley. “He is the future of our music industry.”

“Gina is such a superstar,” Niall added. “She crushed the playoffs. She’s ready for the live shows and beyond.”

The Voice returns next Monday with the live semifinals on NBC.