The level of talent on The Voice season 28 is already moving Reba McEntire to tears.
During the Monday, September 22, episode of NBC’s singing competition series, the blind auditions at Universal Studios Hollywood kicked off with more than a few impressive singers.
Georgia native Manny Costello immediately caught the ears of Reba, 70, when he performed his own unique rendition of “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan.
“Manny, you made me homesick. It took me back to all the greats that I’ve been so fortunate to get to listen to in my life,” Reba said before tearing up. “You’ve gotten qualities from George Jones and [Merle] Haggard, and there’s a little Randy [Travis] in there. It’s just a great combination. Gosh dang, why am I getting so emotional? It’s tears of joy.”
Luckily, fellow judge Snoop Dogg — who Reba affectionately called Snoopy — had some tissues nearby to give to his friend.
“I feel very blessed to be in the country music business all these years,” Reba continued. “You just triggered something that needed to come out and say, ‘Happy to be here.’ I’d love you on my team.”
Although Snoop, 53, also turned his red chair, Manny ultimately chose to be on Team Reba because his two daughters, Maggie and Leighton, love watching the Reba show.
“I love hanging out with my daughters. We bond, we cuddle a lot, we watch the Reba show all the time,” Manny said before his blind audition. “My daughters love music. They love when I sing. … I want to show them that you can put anything you put your mind to if you believe in yourself.”
Before he moved Reba to tears, Manny explained why he wanted to perform Craig’s 2002 hit. The 28-year-old aspiring singer said the lyrics speak to him in a unique way.
“This song is about a man who doesn’t have much, if anything at all,” Manny explained. “It’s a good perspective I get from the song. I look at my life, and I look at where I’m at right now, and the people that I get to say love me, I feel very blessed and fortunate.”
Who Is Your Favorite Coach of The Voice?
Season 28 of The Voice features Snoop, Reba, Niall Horan and Michael Bublé on a mission to find the best singers and coach someone who will ultimately be crowned the winner.
This season, host Carson Daly will be given a little more power in the blind auditions thanks to the “Carson Callback.”
At one point, Carson, 52, will surprise one no-chair artist with a shot to sing again during the blind auditions.
“Sometimes I see great singers fall through the cracks,” the host said. “I’ve never been able to do anything about it — until now.”
The Voice airs on NBC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.