Why Gwen Says Ruby Leigh’s Playoff Performance Was So Good It Could “Save the World”
With a voice well beyond her years, Ruby Leigh secures a spot in the Lives.
Ruby Leigh closed out the Playoffs for Team Reba on The Voice Season 24 with a stunning rendition of Linda Ronstadt’s classic “Long Long Time.” At just 16, Leigh doesn't even have a driver's license, let alone the life experience to fully sink into the themes of that song — but you wouldn’t know it from her performance.
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Ruby Leigh sings “Long Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt in the Playoffs on The Voice Season 24
“I think that if there was just a young girl that’s 16 years old that can sing like you and could make a record like that, the world would be saved,” Gwen Stefani said after Leigh's performance.
John Legend, meanwhile, noted the impressive juxtaposition between Leigh's age and delivery of the song. “It’s quite stunning that, at your age, you can sound like you’ve been through so much. I know you haven’t been through that much,” Legend said, smiling. “The power of your voice is really stunning.”
Niall Horan added,“That was so beautiful. I’m really, really emotional. You know how much of a fan we all are, and I can see your dad down there in the front row and he's looking at us.” (The camera then cut to Leigh's dad, who was in the audience wiping away tears.)
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Leigh's dad wasn’t the only one choked up by the performance. Her Coach, Reba McEntire, was too. “Ruby, way to go. I’m so proud of you," McEntire said. "I would watch [my] mama when I would be on stage, and she would be drawn up in a knot watching me. Nobody wanted to sit by mama because she was squeezing their hand so tight. I know how she feels now. You just got it all together. I'm just so proud of you, and your performance today was stellar."
Fortunately, Leigh made it through the Playoffs – alongside Team Reba's Jordan Rainer and Jacquie Roar – and into the Lives. The Live Shows for The Voice Season 24 start Monday, December 4 at 8/7c on NBC.
