Reba McEntire Gets Emotional Thinking About Late Stepson Brandon Blackstock After Aubrey Nicole’s Stirring Performance on ‘The Voice’

Sometimes singers on The Voice move the celebrity judges with the power or emotion in their voice. But on Monday night (Oct. 27), Team Reba’s Aubrey Nicole got right to the heart of the matter for her crew’s leader by singing a tune whose lyrics hit home in the most personal way.

Nicole brought a hush over the studio audience when she sang the 2011 Martina McBride country ballad “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” an emotional anthem of strength and support about a woman being held up by her husband as she battles cancer.

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Nicole, who told the story of her father fighting cancer when she was preparing to move away to college — he is now in remission — got to fellow judge Snoop Dogg as well, who said he was moved despite never hearing the song before. According to NBC, that’s when Reba McEntire revealed her personal connection to the track.

“I do know this song. Martina’s… I’ll need it, thank you, Snoop,” a clearly emotional McEntire said as Snoop handed her a tissue to dab her tears. “Martina’s a good friend of mine. I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer,” McEntire said in reference to late stepson Brandon Blackstock, who died in August 2025 from melanoma; Blackstock was formerly married to singer Kelly Clarkson and is the son McEntire’s ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock.

“That was a real reminder that life goes on, and we sing songs about it so we can remember the ones around us that we love so much, that we lean on at times like this. You did a great job,” added McEntire, who awarded Nicole the win in her Knockout round.

The Voice airs at 8 p.m. ET on NBC on Mondays and Tuesdays, with all episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Check out Nicole’s performance below.