'The Voice': Tanner Massey's emotional performance reminds Wynonna Judd of late mother Naomi
Niall Horan finally got his revenge on “The Voice.”
Horan, who lost singer Mara Justine to coach John Legend during the blind auditions, got another chance to win over the New Jersey vocalist during the second round of Knockouts on Tuesday night when Justine found herself up for elimination.
“John will tell you I hounded him with text messages going, ‘I’m going to get you back for this,' " Horan told Justine Monday. “When I think of who’s great on ‘The Voice’ this season, you’re the first one that comes to mind. You’ve got something serious about you.”
Horan went head-to-head with coach Gwen Stefani, who also hit her steal button for the opportunity to work with Justine.
Stefani even accused the Irish pop singer of attempting to “distract” Justine by trying on Stefani’s pink overcoat during their conversation.
“Thank you guys so much for all your beautiful feedback,” Justine told the coaches. “I am just blessed to be here in the first place.”
Horan redeemed his blind auditions loss when Justine chose to join Team Niall. “I’m excited to actually finally get to work with her,” Horan said.
Here’s what else went down on Tuesday’s episode.
Team Gwen's Tanner Massey connects with Wynonna Judd
Team Gwen singers Tanner Massey, Chechi Sarai and Rudi got the coaches fired up with their passionate renditions of “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes, “Never Can Say Goodbye” by The Jackson 5 and “Smokin Out the Window” by Silk Sonic, respectively.
During rehearsals, Massey’s vulnerable performance of the Mendes power ballad even moved Mega Mentor Wynonna Judd.
“I felt that way a year ago when my mom died. And I remember getting the phone call and I literally said, ‘Somebody help me,’ ” Judd told Massey, referring to the death of her mother Naomi Judd in April 2022. “That’s what songs are supposed to do, as painful as they are.”
Massey’s heartfelt emotional delivery earned the 19-year-old a Knockouts victory. “He is super young but able to channel the emotion in a song flawlessly,” Stefani said. “I just think he’s really special.”
But Massey’s teammate Rudi also dazzled the coaches with her feel-good performance and onstage swagger. Legend and coach Reba McEntire both hit their steal buttons for a chance to snatch the Texas vocalist for their teams.
“You’re such a great performer,” Legend told Rudi. “All we do together is figure out how to put you in the best position to win, but also the best position to show who you are, and I would love for you to do it on Team Legend.”
It was then Stefani’s turn to give an emotional performance.
The “Hollaback Girl” singer, who had hit her save button to keep Rudi, pleaded with the 28-year-old to remain on her team. “I feel like if you go with anyone else, I will die,” she said.
Stefani’s melodrama did the trick, with Rudi choosing to stay on Team Gwen. “My team is still together,” Stefani exclaimed.
'The Voice':Gwen Stefani accuses Niall Horan of trying to 'distract' Mara Justine during steal
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