Reba McEntire Breaks Silence on Tom Nitti Leaving Her Team on ‘The Voice’
Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC, Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC Reading Time: 2 minutes
Reba McEntire is breaking her silence after Tom Nitti’s abrupt departure from her team on The Voice. The country legend says she fully supports Nitti’s decision to leave the show amid his custody battle over his two children.
Reba McEntire Says Tom Nitti Leaving is The “Right Thing”
McEntire made it clear she stands behind Nitti’s choice to exit The Voice prior to the Knockout Rounds in order to fight for custody of his kids. Nitti, a Purple Heart recipient and law enforcement officer, opened up about the situation in an interview last week, revealing his now ex-wife decided to pursue full custody while he was filming the show.
“I know it’s not an easy decision to make,” McEntire said. “He did the right thing. Career will be there because he is that good and I firmly believe in him. Those kids come first, they always come first.”
McEntire admitted she grew emotional thinking about Nitti’s predicament. The country icon wanted Nitti to know she’s there for him, but as his former coach, she has to shift focus to her remaining team members – Ruby Leigh, Jordan Rainer, and Jacquie Roar.
With the competition now in the hands of viewers, McEntire feels confident she has a strong chance of winning her first season on The Voice.
“I don’t have to convince [viewers to vote] because my team is strong,” she said. “When they start singing, America is gonna fall in love with them – like how I fell in love when them when I first turned my chair.”
While McEntire has bonded with fellow coaches John Legend, Niall Horan, and Gwenn Stefani, she admitted, “of course” she wants to beat them and claim the title in her inaugural season.
Reba McEntire is Proud of Finalist Ruby Leigh’s performance
Though saddened by former frontrunner Nitti’s departure, coach McEntire now turns her attention to rounding out a title run with her remaining standout vocalists. Chief among them is 16-year-old country crooner Leigh, who wowed the judges and audience alike with a rousing John Denver cover during this week’s semifinals.
Leigh’s rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Road” earned effusive praise from coaches amazed by her consistency and vocal range. McEntire dubbed the talented teen a “showstopper” in rehearsals, a description Leigh lived up to under the bright lights.
“You did everything to perfection,” McEntire raved. “I’m really, really proud, you sang your butt off tonight.”
Bolstered by Leigh’s sterling semifinal showing, an emotional McEntire suddenly sees a path back to the winner’s circle following a major setback. With America soon to decide the season’s champ, the country icon believes she boasts the talent to take home the crown after all.
