Reba McEntire Moved to Tears on ‘The Voice’ by Former Kidz Bop Star William Alexander's Heartfelt Performance

Reba McEntire Tears Up on The Voice at William Alexander Performance

Reba McEntire Trae Patton/NBC

Reba McEntire, a coach on The Voice this season, was moved to tears by a performance from William Alexander, a former Kidz Bop singer.

During the blind auditions on the episode aired on Tuesday, March 5, Alexander sang Lizzy McAlpine's “Ceilings”. His performance impressed McEntire, 68, and Chance the Rapper, causing them to turn their chairs and show interest in having him on their team.

After the performance, Alexander explained that he dedicated the song to his grandfather who passed away the previous year. "He always supported me and believed in me," Alexander shared with the judges.

Reba McEntire was amazed by the 16-year-old's composure. She shared that she finds it difficult to sing while thinking of her mother, Jacqueline, who passed away in 2020. McEntire even admitted that she almost gave up singing after her mother's death because she had always sung for her.

Reba McEntire Tears Up on The Voice at William Alexander Performance 2

In an appearance on Today, she shared how her mother was the one who inspired and taught her and her siblings how to sing. Mama also took them to their singing gigs and was their biggest cheerleader.

During Tuesday's episode, she shared more about her emotions while chatting with Alexander.

"I noticed that when I sing a song and my thoughts go to my mom, I begin to gasp and then I struggle to continue singing," she explained, demonstrating how she gasps for emphasis.

When she inquired about Alexander's success, he simply replied, "I imagined him watching and listening to me. It filled me with pride to be in this moment."

Reba McEntire, visibly moved, reassured him, "You'll always have someone supporting you. I believe you did an amazing job, your voice is a precious gift, and I would be honored to have you on my team."

During his audition, Alexander, a first-generation American from Staten Island, was supported by his family.

All the judges gave positive feedback, with Chance, 30, praising Alexander by saying, "You have great control and a really unique tone. I don’t think there’s anybody in the competition that sounds anything like you."

Alexander ended up selecting McEntire as his coach, following his instincts.

He mentioned, "It was surprising to see Reba get emotional. That's when I felt a strong connection with her, and I just knew I had to choose Reba."

McEntire decided to turn her chair for Alexander before learning his story. She shared that she loves working with young talents and was impressed by William's unique and smooth voice, different from anything she had heard before. That's why she wanted him on her team.

You can catch The Voice on NBC on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

Reba McEntire's emotional response to William Alexander's performance on The Voice highlights the profound impact that music can have on our lives. Alexander's rendition of "Ceilings" struck a deep chord with McEntire, reminding her of her own grief and the unwavering support her mother provided throughout her career. Her admission that she almost gave up singing after her mother's passing underscores the inextricable link between our loved ones and our artistic journeys.

Alexander's choice to dedicate his performance to his late grandfather demonstrates the universal power of music to bridge the gap between life and loss. By imagining his grandfather's presence, Alexander found solace and inspiration, allowing him to channel his emotions into a captivating performance. McEntire's mentorship of Alexander exemplifies the cyclical nature of support within the music industry, as she passes on the encouragement and guidance she once received from her mother.