The Voice: Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire bawl after emotional performance by teenager Ruby Leigh as top 12 perform live on NBC show
Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire both cried after teen Ruby Leigh performed one of Reba's hits on Monday's live episode of The Voice on NBC.
“You blew him out of the water, it was absolutely spectacular,” 68-year-old Reba said with tears in her eyes. “The way you can hold a note and be so powerful it absolutely kills me.”
Reba pointed out that both she and Gwen, 54, were “roaring” after 16-year-old Ruby, from Foley, Missouri, performed Reba's hit You Lie.
“I'm singing a Reba song for Reba herself,” Ruby said during rehearsals
Chance the Rapper, 30, who came on the show as the Mega Mentor, was equally impressed with how good Ruby was for her age.
Reba McEntire cried after teen Ruby Leigh performed one of Reba's hits on Monday's live episode of The Voice on NBC
Reba gave her tips during rehearsals, telling her to remember that it was a very sad song and to put her emotion into it. Reba said after the rehearsal that she thought Ruby did the song better than she did.
“There wasn't a moment in the show when you performed where I didn't get goosebumps,” said 30-year-old Niall Horan. 'That was special. The way you sold that story and did it Ruby's way. I love that you looked to Reba for approval.”
Jacquie Roar, 28, from North Plains, Oregon, was the first of 12 contestants to perform during the two-hour episode.
Her microphone pack fell out during rehearsal and Reba helped her put it back in.
“I'll hook you up again,” Reba said.
“The most expensive technology in the history of the world,” one producer joked.
“I'll send you my bill,” Reba joked.
Jacquie sang the song 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses' by Lainey Wilson. Chance the Rapper gave her tips during rehearsals and Reba encouraged her to say the words.
Reba and the other coaches gave her a standing ovation when she finished.
“You're incredible,” Gwen said. 'You look beautiful tonight. I love that you are so tasteful in the way you are dynamic. You can do anything. You're so cool about it.'
Team Niall Horan's New York dark pop rocker Nini Iris, 27, from Brooklyn, went next. She told Chance that she had recently received her U.S. citizenship. Nini chose Lovesong by The Cure to perform. Niall encouraged her to tell the story of the song.
Nini performed together with a group of violinists in a long black strapless dress.
“You never disappoint,” said John Legend, 44. “Your voice is so powerful. There's just so much magnetism on stage.”
“That was absolutely spectacular,” Niall said. “Your ability to turn a song on its head and make it your own is unlike anyone else.”
Gwen's R&B singer Kara Tenae, 34, from Riverside, California, was excited to meet Chance during rehearsals. She chose Keyshia Cole's Love to perform and Chance assured her that she deserved to be on the show. Kara wowed the coaches during her performance in a two-piece outfit with silver sequins.
“You did well Kara,” John said. 'I loved it!'
“You're so incredibly ready and so confident, just you,” said Gwen, 54. “You're so pure.”
Team Niall Horan's New York dark pop rocker Nini Iris, 27, from Brooklyn, chose The Cure's Lovesong to perform
“You never disappoint,” said John Legend, 44. “Your voice is so powerful. You just have so much magnetism on stage.”
Gwen's R&B singer Kara Tenae, 34, from Riverside, California, chose Love by Keyshia Cole to perform
“That was absolutely spectacular,” Niall said. 'Your ability to turn a song on its head and make it your own is unlike anyone else'
Gwen's 19-year-old pop singer Tanner Massey from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma went next. Tanner was excited to get feedback from Chance. He chose Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy. Gwen advised him to learn the original and slowly add his style to it.
“You did so well,” Gwen said. 'I am so proud of you.'
Team Legend's classic singer/songwriter Lila Forde, 24, from Seattle, chose the Indigo Girls' “Closer to Fine” to sing. Lila played the piano as she sang, but got up from the piano halfway through the song. Chance encouraged her to try to make him feel the lyrics. The coaches gave her a standing ovation.
“You're so special, Lila,” John said. 'I really believe in you. You're great.'
Team Niall's Huntley, 33, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, sang With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker. Huntley found a note from his mother in his guitar case during rehearsals, which brought him to tears.
“Me and my mom have been dating since I was eight,” Huntley said. 'She literally supported me through thick and thin.'
“Huntley just blew me away,” Chance said in a confessional. 'What Huntley has besides talent is that he is just very nice.'
Chance and Niall both encouraged him to sing with his eyes open to connect with the audience.
“You crushed that,” said host Carson Daly, 50.
Gwen's 19-year-old pop singer Tanner Massey from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, chose Fall Out Boy's Thnks fr th Mmrs to perform
Team Legend's classic singer/songwriter Lila Forde, 24, from Seattle, chose the Indigo Girls' 'Closer to Fine' to sing
Team Niall's Huntley, 33, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, sang With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker
“Joe Cocker was known for his live performances,” Niall said. “He would be proud of that.”
Team Legend's Super Save artist Azan, 29, from Dallas, went next. John told Chance how he used this season's new save to bring Azan back into the show after she was eliminated.
“I'm so happy to have her back on my team,” John said.
John told her that his father was very angry with him when she left the show.
“I was like, 'Dad, stay tuned,'” John said.
“I'll make him proud,” Azan said.
Azan sang the song Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill. John was excited that Lauryn had approved the song for the show. Chance told her she was a great singer.
The coaches gave her a standing ovation when she finished.
Team Legend's Super Save artist Azan, 29, from Dallas, performed Lauryn Hill's song Ex-Factor
“I'm so happy to have her back on my team,” John said of Azan
“I'm impressed with it now,” Gwen said. “It sounded so good.”
Team Reba's country singer Jordan Rainer, 33, from Oklahoma, sang Ronnie Milsap's “Stranger in My House” while playing guitar. Jordan told her she got a puppy and named him “Tater” in honor of Reba's tater tots.
“Another fantastic performance,” said Niall.
“You demand attention and you get it,” Reba said. 'Well done, so proud of you!'
Mara Justine, 21, from Galloway, New Jersey, of Team Niall chose Lose Control from Teddy Swims. Chance and Niall were both impressed with her during rehearsals. She thanked Niall for her care.
“Mara, that was crazy,” Niall said after she took the stage. “By far the best thing you've done all week, hands down. That was by far your best performance of the season.'
Team Legend soul singer Mac Royals, 31, from Wrightsville, Arkansas, was excited to work with Chance. Mac sang Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me and the coaches gave him a standing ovation.
“He's an elite talent,” John said. “You're looking at someone so special.”
John told him he believed in him and already needed a record deal.
Team Gwen's country-soul artist Bias, 23, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, closed the show. Bias chose Johnny Cash's song God's Gonna Cut You Down and said he felt a special connection because Cash was born less than 45 minutes from his hometown.
“We're going to win The Voice,” Gwen said after his rehearsal.
The crowd clapped along as Bias sang for him and cheered when he finished.
“My God, you're doing well,” Reba said.
“Honestly, it's a dream to have you on my team,” Gwen said. 'You just remain yourself. You are the purest person I have ever met. Just keep going.'
The Voice returns Tuesday for the results show on NBC.