Former Hinesville resident Celeste Betton was eliminated Monday night from NBC’s “The Voice” singing competition.

She engaged in tough singing duel with Mark Hood as part of Team Pharrell in the show’s “Battle Rounds,” which began with Monday’s episode. Both contestants soulfully sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” in the style of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, including a brief interlude styled after Diana Ross’ version.

After the performance, which drew enthusiastic applause, judge Gwen Stefani gushed, “That was my favorite battle that I’ve ever seen.”

After praising Hood, Stefani said turned to Betton.

“And Celeste, your attitude up there is so infectious,” Stefani said, then turned to Pharrell Williams and said, “I do not know what you’re going to do.”

Judge Adam Levine was equally impressed.

“Celeste — woo! — your tone, I would say, is the most unique of the two,” Levine said. “But you both lit this place up, and we all felt every second of it.”

Pharrell also had high praise for his contestants.

“Celeste, your choice of notes — it was literally like we’re listening to vocal ‘Cirque du Soleil.’ Where does that come from?” he said in amazement.

After praising Hood, Pharrell went on to say, “I made a mistake by putting you guys together because I don’t want to lose any one of you.”

Levine responded, “I don’t think you did make a mistake because this was one of the best battle rounds we’ve ever had.”

When host Carson Daly asked Pharrell for his choice, the judge responded, “This is tough for me, man, because you guys are both amazing. You really are.”

After a dramatic pause, Pharrell said slowly, “I’m just going to go with my gut right now by saying, the winner of this battle, is Mark.