Curtis Grimes Opens Up About Last Night’s Kiss With Emily Valentine on ‘The Voice’

We all watched Texas country singer Curtis Grimes sing Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now' with punk-pop L.A. girl Emily Valentine on last night's final battle episode of 'The Voice' -- and win against her. And, we definitely all saw him kiss her at the end of the song, before judge Cee Lo made his decision. Taste of Country caught up with Grimes this morning, and he spilled on whether that kiss was for show and tell or if he's got feelings for her, as well as what's next on his NBC agenda.

"It just happened," Grimes says with a laugh, referring to the kiss that shocked even the judges. "I didn't know how much longer I'd be there, so I was like, 'Well, why not?'" But as far as a relationship goes, Grimes is as single as they come. "I don't know if my feelings are the same as hers, as strong as hers ... I mean she's a cool girl and we hung out a lot, but yeah, I don't know as far as dating wise." He adds that he does talk to Valentine still, but only "as much as I talk to the other contestants."

Grimes acknowledges that he was in his safe zone with Cee Lo's song choice, Lady A's smash country hit, but that Valentine really had the upper hand."Yeah, I was happy to have a country song, but still… range wise, her range is a lot better than mine. It was really high for me. I just wish we would have got one that was a little lower!"

"But it worked out," he throws in. That it did -- Grimes' win placed him as the fourth and final member of Cee Lo's team, and on a plane back to L.A.

Grimes will leave the Lone Star State once again on Saturday, where he'll gear up for the America-voted live episodes, which kick off on Tuesday, June 7. "I'm ready to get back out there. We came home probably a month ago, and so just watching it on TV you kind of lose that feeling that you had when you're out there filming," he says. "I'm ready to get back out there and get another song and go for it again."

But how does the country talent feel that he'll hold up next to the 15 other big-voiced contestants? "They're all awesome and great. I don't know, to be honest with you," he says. "Now, it's kinda more America has a hand in it -- although the coaches get to save one person from each time this coming round. Other than that, America picks who goes, so I guess it's pretty much wide open as to who appeals to the bigger fanbase."

One thing that Grimes does have on his side is country music's recent sweep at 'American Idol,' and the incredible popularity of bumpin' winners Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina. "It does kind of help that coming off of 'American Idol' that Scotty just won. Looks like there's a lot of people voting that like country music, so that helps," he admits.

Grimes tipped to us that next week will be focused on Blake Shelton/Christina Aguilera's teams, and he'll likely pop up on the June 14 episode. We think he's got a good chance in the competition, and we're rooting -- and voting -- for him!

Watch Curtis Grimes and Emily Valentine Battle With 'Need You Now'