The Voice Australia 2025 contestant Gemma Hollingsworth was given a second chance in the competition after coach Mel C broke a major rule.
The contestant lost her battle with NZ singer Cassie Henderson and was eliminated from The Voice, until Mel C abruptly pressed her save button. The only problem? None of the coaches had any saves left. It sparked a flurry of excitement, with Mel justifying her choice by saying Ronan Keating broke the rules last week with Hunter Black, so it was her turn to do so.
Ronan, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Richard Marx also pressed their save buttons, giving Gemma the chance to choose a coach. The contestant ended up sticking with Team Melanie, and says it was a “crazy” moment.
“I was just so shocked. I just did not expect [it], I really thought my time was over, and I was really content with that. And then she clicked save,” Gemma tells Chattr.
“All the rules kind of flew out the window, and [I] was so overwhelmed, but so grateful and blessed that she had decided to save [me], and then all of [the coaches] did.”
Gemma notes that all of the coaches ended up hitting save and agreeing that she was allowed to stay in the competition, so it’s not technically cheating.
However, now that Mel C has an extra person in Team Melanie going into the Knockout Rounds, it will be harder for Gemma to get to the next stage.
“There will be an extra person, so that will make things a bit more difficult,” she admits. “I definitely won’t let [my second chance] go to waste. I was so grateful to be in the position I was. I think so many artists are incredible and would have deserved it as well. So yeah, I’m definitely going to do them proud.”
Did Gemma consider choosing a new coach on The Voice?
After all four coaches hit their save button and pitched for Gemma to join their team, she did consider leaving Mel for another coach.
“I considered Kate and Ronan for a split second just to maybe try something different,” Gemma admits.
“But then I knew Mel, you know, we’d done the Battle workshop together, and I just felt like she’s such a genuine and down-to-earth artist [and] creator. I just wanted to see… where it would go with her again, and I’m really glad that I picked her.”
Gemma defends Cassie Henderson after ‘industry plant’ rumours
Gemma’s competition, Cassie Henderson, is an independent pop singer from New Zealand. She started her career at 14 on The X Factor New Zealand in 2013, released the single Seconds to Midnight in 2024, and opened for two of Alex Warren’s shows in New Zealand this year.
She also won the Best Pop Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards in 2025, and some fans questioned why Cassie was allowed to compete on the show with all her experience.
However, Gemma describes Cassie as “down to earth” and believes she deserves to be on The Voice Australia 2025.
“Good on her for giving it a crack here in Australia, I think,” Gemma says. “I think her trying to break her way [into] Australia, I mean, what better opportunity to do it?
“I think she’s definitely deserving of a spot here on The Voice.”
The pair have a solid friendship, and when the singer was originally eliminated, she knew it wouldn’t change anything between the duo.
“I was very content with it. I knew that it wouldn’t affect the friendship of me and Cassie. I think what we built was so much stronger than the Battle,” Gemma adds.
“The outcome that actually happened was honestly perfect for the both of us.”
Gemma and Cassie will now be fighting for a spot during the Knockout Rounds on The Voice Australia 2025.
The Voice Australia continues 7pm on Sundays on Channel Seven and 7plus.
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