It likely wasn’t easy to replace Blake Shelton, a coach who was on “The Voice” for 23 seasons, but country music legend Reba McEntire — the only first-time coach on the show this season — has proved to be a force to reckon with.
In her first season as a coach, McEntire formed a strong team of singers and has a good shot at securing a win. Following the top five reveal on Dec. 12, McEntire’s team is now down to two singers. Here’s a look at the remaining competitors on her team.
Note: This story will be updated each week as episodes air. “The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.
Who are the singers on ‘The Voice’ Team Reba?
Ruby Leigh
She’s only 16, but Ruby Leigh is a standout contestant on “The Voice” this season. The country singer and yodeler from Foley, Missouri, quickly won over all four coaches during the blind audition round with her performance of Patsy Montana’s “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.”
Perhaps most surprisingly, John Legend — not McEntire — was the first to turn his chair for the singer.
“I’ve truly never heard anything like what you just did. I loved how clear and precise and piercing and beautiful your tone was. ... How is a human being able to do the things that you’re doing?” he said, noting her impressive yodeling skills. “You can win ‘The Voice,’” honestly.”
Gwen Stefani added that she was “blown away” by Leigh, and even did a little yodeling of her own in an attempt to woo the teen to her team. McEntire followed up with her own yodeling when it came time to offer her pitch as a coach.
“I can’t believe what’s going on in this audition,” Niall Horan said with a laugh, calling Leigh’s energy “insane.” “You got four chairs for a reason.”
Leigh ultimately chose to join McEntire’s team, and has stayed on the singer’s team for her entire run on the show so far.
Jacquie Roar
It took a little while for Jacquie Roar to get the coaches’ attention, but when she did, she did it with a bang: Halfway through Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party,” the 37-year-old singer from North Plains, Oregon, shifted from country to rock and seemed to channel her inner Janis Joplin.
It got all four coaches to turn around.
“You left it all on the floor,” Legend said.
“Your range is incredible,” McEntire added.
All of the coaches praised her ability to channel so many different styles and influences during the brief performance.
“You’re going to be a showstopper on the show,”’ Horan said.
Although Roar initially chose to join Stefani’s team, McEntire ended up snatching up the singer during the following round of the competition. Roar has remained on McEntire’s team since the Battle round.