Season 28 of The Voice has already stirred emotions, bringing even the illustrious Reba McEntire to tears.
On the episode that aired Monday, September 22, NBC’s iconic singing competition kicked off its blind auditions at Universal Studios Hollywood, showcasing an array of remarkable talent.
Performing a captivating rendition of “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan, Georgia’s own Manny Costello struck a chord with Reba, who is 70. Her emotional reaction was swift and palpable.
“Manny, you made me feel homesick. You took me back to the incredible talents I’ve had the privilege to hear throughout my life,” Reba expressed, visibly moved. “You merge qualities from George Jones, Merle Haggard, and a sprinkle of Randy Travis. It’s a fantastic blend! Goodness, why am I so emotional? These are tears of joy.”
Fortunately, fellow judge Snoop Dogg—whom Reba charmingly referred to as “Snoopy”—was ready with tissues to console her.
In her heartfelt moment, Reba added, “I feel so fortunate to have been part of the country music scene for all these years. You tapped into something in me that needed to be expressed; I’m truly happy to be here. I’d love to have you on my team.”
Although Snoop, aged 53, also turned his chair for Manny, the aspiring singer ultimately chose to join Team Reba, inspired by the memories he shares with his daughters, Maggie and Leighton, who adore watching Reba’s own show.
“I love spending time with my daughters. We often cuddle up and watch the Reba series together; they are big fans of music and love it when I sing for them. I want to show them that with belief and effort, you can achieve anything,” said Manny prior to his performance.
Before bringing Reba to tears, Manny explained the personal significance of choosing to perform Craig’s 2002 hit. The 28-year-old vocalist shared, “The song narrates the life of a man who has little to nothing. It really resonates with me. When I think about my life and the love I receive, I feel incredibly fortunate.”
As the season progresses, The Voice features a dynamic panel including Snoop, Reba, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé, all on a quest to identify extraordinary talents and mentor the one who will ultimately be crowned the victor.
This season, host Carson Daly gets a boost of authority in the blind auditions with the introduction of the “Carson Callback.”
In an intriguing twist, Carson, aged 52, will offer one artist who goes unrecognized a chance to perform again during the blind auditions.
“It’s disheartening to see exceptional talent overlooked,” remarked the host. “Finally, I can make a difference.”
The Voice airs on NBC every Monday at 8 p.m. ET, with previous seasons available for streaming on Peacock.
