He should have won the show after the first three seconds of opening his mouth. That’s how powerful Vinko Ćemeraš sounded when he began to sing. His voice came out calm and effortless, yet it carried emotion that filled the whole studio. And beside him stood Petra Perišić, matching his intensity with her own warmth and grace. She was just as amazing — her voice soft but strong, perfectly balancing his tone. Together, they turned “Stay” by Rihanna into something completely their own.
It happened during The Voice Hrvatska Season 3, in the Battle Rounds — a stage of the show where two singers perform the same song, and only one can move forward. Petra and Vinko’s duet quickly became one of the most emotional performances of the entire season. From the very first line, the audience knew they were watching something special. The judges fell silent. Coach Davor Gobac, known for his rock-and-roll attitude, was visibly moved. By the end, even he was fighting back tears.
Petra had been nervous before the performance, holding back tears backstage. But once the song began, her voice carried emotion and honesty that connected deeply with everyone listening. Vinko, calm and grounded, sang with quiet power. The two voices blended so naturally that for a moment, it felt less like a battle and more like two people sharing the same story.
When the final note faded, the studio was still. Gobac faced an impossible choice — both had sung beautifully. But only one could continue, and he chose Vinko. Petra’s time on The Voice ended there, though her performance stayed in the minds of everyone who saw it.
Petra comes from the Split region of Croatia. She studied piano and music theory when she was younger and grew up in a musical family — her siblings also played instruments. Beyond music, she studied philosophy and tourism, showing a curiosity for the world beyond the stage. After the show, she continued balancing her studies and her love for music. She didn’t chase fame or headlines — she kept singing, learning, and living with music in a quiet, personal way.
For Vinko, that night was a turning point. Born in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, he first started singing at 15 when a friend needed a vocalist for his band. By the time he entered The Voice, he was studying information sciences in Mostar and writing his own songs. His deep, textured voice — effortlessly emotional — made him one of the standout contestants from the beginning.
After winning the Battle with Petra, Vinko continued to impress both the coaches and the public. He reached the final and eventually won the entire season of The Voice Hrvatska. His win brought him a contract with Universal Music Croatia and a growing fan base across the region. But rather than rushing into the spotlight, Vinko took his time. He began recording original material, performing live, and writing songs that reflected his personality — often in English, where he said he could express emotion more naturally.
The “Stay” battle remains one of the show’s most memorable moments. It wasn’t about flashy notes or competition — it was about emotion, respect, and the shared experience of two young singers giving everything to a song. Petra may not have advanced, but her sincerity touched the audience just as deeply as Vinko’s power did.
Years later, both of them have continued on their own paths. Vinko is building his music career step by step, while Petra lives between study and song, grounded and hopeful. What they shared on that stage was more than a performance — it was a moment of truth.
They’re both incredible singers with beautiful voices. They sound amazing together — so complementary that it feels like they were meant to sing this song as a duo. His voice is unique, like an alt-rock version of Joe Cocker, full of raw emotion and grit, while hers adds balance and tenderness. It’s no wonder this performance has already been watched over 3 million times on YouTube. Watch it again — and let it remind you why genuine emotion in music never fades.