We attended a taping of The Battle Rounds for the current season
The Battles are now complete on NBC’s The Voice, marking the halfway point for the four-time Emmy-winning series’ 24th season. Following the Blind Auditions, Coaches Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Niall Horan each worked with their 14-member teams after pairing them and picking songs they’d perform to determine who would move on to the three-way Knockout Rounds.
At the end of August, we had the honor of attending the final taping for the Battle Rounds of season 24 at Universal Studios Hollywood. During our taping, we watched the coaches make tough decisions as seven teams squared off for the cameras.
Team Reba consisted of a battle between 16-year-old Ruby Leigh and 37-year-old Al Boogie performing a duet version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Ruby was a favorite among the coaches, getting a four-chair turn during her impressive yodeling Blind Audition.
“I had chills up and down my body when you said ‘Cry,’ because you yodeled it, and it was stunningly perfect,” Stefani told the teenager.
Boogie was a fan-favorite, with Legend praising him as an “underdog” who “killed it, man, you really did.”
Reba had the hardest decision, ultimately sending Boogie home and Ruby further into the competition.
“It was a very hard decision because I love Al’s singing, Al’s tone, everything about it,” Reba said. “It’s just that Ruby has something totally different. Sixteen years old, she’s so talented. We need people like Ruby that brings a little bit of the past of country music forward. I think America’s going to fall in love with Ruby just like I did.”
The other Team Reba Battle we witnessed in person saw the country legend choose Tom Nitti over Dylan Carter after performing Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t.”
Team Niall saw Michael Huntley (who appears as Huntley) and Brailey Lenderman match up with Brailey ultimately moving forward. Niall made the tough choice to send the fan-favorite Huntley home who wowed during his four-chair performance of The Black Crowes’ “She’s Talks to Angels” during the Blind Auditions.
“It’s so difficult to see so many talented people go home,” Niall stated.
His pairing of Olivia Minogue and Laura Williams on Ella Henderson’s “Ghost” was the biggest upset, seeing Laura leave the competition.
“Olivia’s growth between the Blinds and the Battles has been amazing so I’m so excited to see what she does in the three-way Knockouts,” Niall said.
Team Gwen featured Jenna Marquis and Claire Heilig battling with Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers.” Jenna was chosen to continue.
“I had to go with Jenna because she just has so much saturated and self-identity,” Gwen comments. “I cannot wait to work with Jenna in the Knockouts. I think she has a lot of potential.”
John Legend’s pairing of Caleb Sasser and Legend’s “twin” Talakai battled over Sam Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbye.” Legend chose Sasser to advance with his “mysterious and ethereal tone.”
The coaches interacted with the studio audience in between battles. Gwen shared a moment with some super fans, John reconnected with a former designer of his, Niall answered audience questions about his 2024 tour but refused to give details, and Reba chatted with fans, including us, marking a highlight of the taping.
Reba walked over to us as we told her we were visiting her restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue, Reba’s Place, in Atoka, Oklahoma the following week to tape a cooking feature. “Try the fried pickles,” she said during our brief interaction. We received a big hug before she said, “Ya’ll have fun!” She couldn’t have been nicer! You might’ve seen a portion of that conversation on the tenth episode, which aired on October 23rd.
The Knockout Rounds begin Monday, November 6th with Mega Mentor Wynonna Judd.
What if i say my rebesties are iconic!? https://t.co/9q5c6A963j pic.twitter.com/HpKPw0Pown
— oregon widow (@houseofwarwick) October 25, 2023