On September 23, 2025, the Season 28 premiere of The Voice delivered a masterclass in raw emotion, with country music legend Reba McEntire at its heart. The Queen of Country, now in her third season as a coach, was brought to tears by a contestant’s heartfelt performance during the Blind Auditions, a moment that resonated deeply with her own personal losses. But the night took a dramatic turn when McEntire, despite her emotional connection, suffered a “shocking loss,” failing to secure a four-chair-turn contestant who ultimately chose Niall Horan’s team. This 2200–2300-word article dives into the emotional highs and lows of the premiere, McEntire’s tearful reaction, the battle for the standout contestant, and why this moment has set the stage for a fiercely competitive season.
The Stage is Set: A New Season with High Stakes
The Voice Season 28 kicked off with a fresh coaching lineup: returning veterans Reba McEntire and Niall Horan, joined by newcomers Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé. The premiere, aired on NBC at 8 p.m. ET, promised twists, including the new “Carson Call Back Card,” allowing host Carson Daly to give a no-turn contestant a second chance, and the traditional Coach Block. The Blind Auditions, always a crucible of raw talent and emotional storytelling, set the tone with a coaches’ performance of Steve Miller’s “The Joker,” a playful nod to Snoop’s “gangster of love” persona and McEntire’s surprising delivery of “midnight toker” lyrics. Fans on X erupted, with one user tweeting, “Reba singing about weed? Iconic! #TheVoice.”
The night’s emotional peak came early, centered on 20-year-old Aiden Ross, a Texas A&M sophomore whose audition would leave McEntire in tears and spark a fierce four-way battle among the coaches. Ross, hailing from a small Texas farm town, brought a soulful rendition of Adele’s “Love in the Dark” to the stage, his performance steeped in personal loss and resilience. His story and voice not only turned all four chairs but also set the internet ablaze, with #AidenRoss trending at 1 million mentions by midnight.
Aiden Ross: A Voice That Pierced the Heart
Ross’s intro package painted a vivid picture: a young engineering student who honed his craft singing at family farm gatherings, he carried a quiet intensity shaped by the recent loss of his mother to cancer in 2023. “She was my biggest cheerleader,” Ross said in his pre-audition interview, his voice cracking. “Every note I sing is for her—she told me to chase this dream.” His choice of “Love in the Dark,” a ballad of heartbreak and letting go, was deliberate: “It’s how I process her being gone. I want her to hear me tonight.”
As Ross took the stage, his performance was a revelation. His sweet, soulful tone navigated Adele’s challenging melody with ease, climbing into a soaring falsetto that showcased his range. The coaches, visibly moved, turned one by one: Snoop first, followed by Bublé, McEntire, and finally Horan, who slammed his button with a grin. The audience roared, and McEntire, already dabbing her eyes, whispered to Bublé, “This kid’s special.” Ross’s phrasing—delicate yet powerful—evoked comparisons to Sam Smith, with a raw authenticity that left the studio silent save for his final note.
When the applause erupted, McEntire was the first to speak, her voice trembling. “Aiden, I saw your heart up there,” she said, pausing to compose herself. “I lost my mama in 2020, and when I sing for her, I can’t get through it without gasping. How did you do that?” Ross, tears streaming, explained, “I pictured her in the front row, smiling. It’s like she’s still pushing me.” McEntire, wiping her face, responded, “You’ve got a gift that touches souls. I’d be honored to coach you.” Her emotional connection was palpable, rooted in her own grief for her mother, Jacqueline, whose death inspired McEntire’s 2023 single “Seven Minutes in Heaven.”
The Four-Chair Battle: A Clash of Titans
Ross’s performance sparked a coaching frenzy, with all four turning their chairs—a rare feat in The Voice Blind Auditions. Each coach brought their A-game, blending flattery, strategy, and star power to woo the young talent.
Snoop Dogg leaned into his charisma, calling Ross “Aiden Ross the Boss” and promising to nurture his versatility. “I turned first, fam—you got that soul I vibe with,” he said, citing his work with diverse artists like Pharrell. Snoop’s pitch was high-energy, but some fans on Reddit’s r/TheVoice felt it lacked specificity, with one user noting, “Snoop’s all vibes, but Aiden needs structure.”
Michael Bublé, the crooner with a knack for emotional ballads, connected with Ross’s stage presence. “You used that stage like a pro,” he said. “I’ve coached voices like yours—soulful, big range—and I’ll make you shine.” Bublé’s pitch was heartfelt, emphasizing mentorship, but his newcomer status left him less competitive.
Reba McEntire leaned on her emotional bond. “Your voice is a gift, Aiden, and it’s different from anything I’ve got,” she said, her eyes still wet. “I know what it’s like to sing through pain—I’ll help you channel that into something unstoppable.” Her pitch was personal, drawing on her 40-year career and recent Voice win with Asher HaVon in Season 25. Fans on X called it her strongest sell, with #TeamReba trending at 500K mentions.
Niall Horan, the two-time Voice winner, played the strategic card. “You made Adele’s song your own—that’s rare,” he said. “I’ve worked with voices like yours—Sam, Lewis Capaldi—and I know how to take you to the finale.” Horan’s pitch was polished, blending his boyish charm with a proven track record, including mentoring Season 23’s Gina Miles to victory. He sealed it with a cheeky jab: “Reba’s the queen, but I’m the guy who’ll get you the crown.”
Ross, overwhelmed, stood center stage, clutching his microphone. The coaches’ pitches blurred into a cacophony, with Snoop dancing and McEntire waving a tissue. “This is insane,” Ross laughed, wiping his eyes. After a tense pause, he made his choice: “My gut’s telling me… Team Niall.” The crowd gasped, and McEntire’s face fell—a mix of pride and disappointment. Horan leapt from his chair, fist-pumping, while McEntire clapped graciously, mouthing, “You’re gonna shine, kid.”
The “Shocking Loss”: Why It Stung for Reba
McEntire’s failure to secure Ross was dubbed a “shocking loss” by fans and media, given her emotional connection and country music pedigree. Entertainment Weekly called it “the upset of the premiere,” noting McEntire’s tearful investment made her the frontrunner. On X, #RebaRobbed trended with 300K mentions, with fans venting: “Aiden and Reba bonded over loss—how’d he pick Niall?!” Another tweeted, “Reba’s heart was all in. Niall’s just got that charm.”
Several factors likely tipped the scales. Horan’s track record—two Voice wins in four seasons—gave him credibility, especially for a young artist like Ross aiming for pop stardom. His mentorship of similar artists (Capaldi, Miles) offered a clear path, while McEntire’s pitch, though heartfelt, leaned heavily on emotion over strategy. “Reba’s too country for Aiden’s vibe,” a Redditor speculated. “Niall’s pop polish won out.” Additionally, Horan’s youth (32) and global fanbase may have swayed Ross, who later told People, “Niall felt like the right fit—he gets where I want to go.”
For McEntire, the loss stung personally. Her 2020 loss of her mother, Jacqueline, has been a recurring theme in her Voice tenure, evident in past emotional moments—like her tears for Dylan Carter’s 2023 audition dedicated to his late mother. “Reba connects through grief,” a source told Closer Weekly. “Losing Aiden felt like losing a chance to honor that.” Yet, McEntire’s grace shone through; she hugged Ross post-choice, whispering encouragement, a moment captured in NBC’s behind-the-scenes footage.
The Emotional Context: Reba’s History of Tears
McEntire’s tears were no anomaly. The Voice Blind Auditions thrive on emotional storytelling, and McEntire, 69, has a history of being moved by contestants’ personal stories. In 2023, Dylan Carter’s rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Look to You” for his late mother left her sobbing, per EW. In 2024, William Alexander’s tribute to his grandfather via Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings” prompted similar waterworks, with McEntire telling him, “I can’t sing when I think of my mama—you’re incredible.” Most recently, in November 2024, Jeremy Beloate’s “The Impossible Dream” for his late brothers had her choking up, praising his Broadway-ready voice.
These moments reflect McEntire’s own journey. Her 2020 loss of Jacqueline, who inspired her early career, hit hard; her siblings were emotional during the “Seven Minutes in Heaven” video shoot, per Taste of Country. “Reba wears her heart on her sleeve,” coach Snoop Dogg told People in 2025. “She feels these kids’ pain like it’s hers.” Her empathy, while a strength, may have cost her with Ross, as Horan’s cooler-headed pitch resonated more strategically.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Storm
The internet exploded post-audition. On X, fans split into camps: #TeamReba mourned the loss, with one user writing, “Aiden was Reba’s soulmate contestant—Niall stole him!” Meanwhile, #TeamNiall celebrated, with posts like, “Niall’s got the magic touch—Aiden’s a future star!” TikTok saw 10 million views of Ross’s performance clip, with fans recreating his falsetto and praising his emotional depth. Reddit’s r/TheVoice debated fiercely, with 2,000 comments on a thread titled “Reba’s Tears vs. Niall’s Win.” One user argued, “Reba’s pitch was too emotional—Aiden wanted a game plan.”
The loss fueled speculation about McEntire’s Voice tenure. Rumors swirled in 2023 that she was unhappy, per Yahoo, but her Season 25 win and return for 28 quelled doubts. Still, fans worried: “Reba deserves better—she’s too good for these snubs,” tweeted @CountryFan4Life. Others saw it as par for the course: “Four-chair battles are brutal. Niall just played it smarter,” posted @VoiceAddict.
The Bigger Picture: A Season of Emotion and Strategy
Ross’s choice sets up a compelling Season 28. Horan, with two wins, is a formidable force, while McEntire’s emotional depth makes her a fan favorite. Snoop and Bublé, both rookies, add unpredictability—Snoop’s tears over McEntire’s Coach Replay for Kendall Eugene (September 23, 2025) showed his soft side, per Southern Living. The “Carson Call Back Card,” used later in the premiere to save a no-turn artist, adds a layer of redemption that could benefit McEntire later.
The episode’s emotional weight resonates in 2025, a year of cultural reflection post-pandemic. Ross’s story of loss mirrors universal experiences, while McEntire’s tears humanize her legend status. “Reba’s vulnerability is why we love her,” a fan tweeted. Her loss to Horan, though stinging, underscores The Voice’s core: raw talent meets ruthless competition.
What’s Next for Reba and Aiden
McEntire, undeterred, built a strong team in the premiere, snagging country artist Mindy Miller after a Snoop block thwarted her rival, per NBC recaps. Her Season 25 victory with HaVon proves her coaching prowess, and fans expect her to rebound. “Reba’s got fire—she’ll come back swinging,” a Redditor predicted.
For Ross, Team Niall offers a pop-focused path. Horan’s mentorship, seen in Gina Miles’ polished run, could elevate Ross’s soulful style. “Aiden’s a finalist,” Horan told People post-audition. “He’s got heart and range—watch out.” Fans anticipate a deep run, with X bets on a top-four finish.
A Night That Defined Season 28
The September 23 premiere was more than a Blind Audition—it was a showcase of heart, loss, and competition. McEntire’s tears for Ross, rooted in shared grief, cemented her as The Voice’s emotional core. Her “shocking loss” to Horan, while painful, set the stage for a season of fierce battles and redemption arcs. As The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC, with streams on Peacock, fans are glued to McEntire’s journey and Ross’s rise. In a world craving connection, this moment—tears, talent, and all—proved why The Voice remains a cultural touchstone.
