Reba McEntire's Heartbreaking Revelation on The Voice Touches Every Heart

Country music superstar Reba Mcentire recently shared a deeply personal and emotional moment on The Voice, opening up about the loss of her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, to cancer. The raw confession came after a particularly moving performance by Team Reba artist, Aubrey Nicole, leaving everyone in the room, and viewers at home, with tears in their eyes.

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop

• Reba McEntire got visibly emotional on The Voice Season 28, revealing she lost her "oldest son," Brandon Blackstock, to cancer.
• The powerful moment was sparked by Aubrey Nicole's performance of Martina McBride's cancer-themed song, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It."
• Brandon Blackstock, 48, Reba's stepson and former husband of Kelly Clarkson, passed away in August 2025 after a private battle with melanoma.

A Performance That Hit Straight to the Heart on The Voice

On the first episode of Knockouts for Season 28 of The Voice, which aired on Monday, October 27, 2025, the stage was set for some serious talent and, as it turned out, some very real emotions. Team Reba artist Aubrey Nicole, a 20-year-old from Littlestown, Pennsylvania, stepped up to perform Martina McBride's poignant ballad, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It."

Aubrey chose the song with a very personal connection: her own father had battled cancer when she moved away for college, and thankfully, he's now in remission. Her delivery was absolutely stunning, filling the studio with an emotional weight that silenced the room. Even fellow coach Snoop Dogg, who admitted he'd never heard the song before, was deeply moved.

Reba McEntire Shares Her Own Deeply Personal Connection to Loss

As Aubrey's powerful performance wrapped up, the camera turned to the coaches. Reba McEntire, usually so composed, was visibly shaken, her eyes welling up with tears. Snoop Dogg, ever the compassionate colleague, quickly handed her a tissue. After a moment to collect herself, Reba shared her heartbreaking truth.

"I do know this song. Martina's a good friend of mine. I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer. 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."

— Reba McEntire on The Voice

Her words, spoken through tears, resonated deeply. She wasn't just a coach anymore; she was a person sharing profound grief, connecting with the music and Aubrey's story on an incredibly personal level.

Remembering Brandon Blackstock: Reba's "Precious" Stepson

The "oldest son" Reba was referring to was her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who tragically passed away in August 2025 at the age of 48 after battling melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Reba was married to Brandon's father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015. Brandon came into her life when he was just four years old, and she helped raise him from his early teens, alongside Narvel's other children, Shawna and Chassidy, and their shared son, Shelby Blackstock.

Reba has often spoken fondly of her relationship with Brandon, calling it "precious." She described him as a loving and mischievous spirit who "loved to scare people" and brought joy to everyone he met. "Brandon is sorely missed, truly missed. With his mischievousness and his love of life, he brought joy to everybody that met him and we'll never forget him," she shared in an October 2025 interview.

Brandon was also well-known in the music industry as a talent manager, having managed the careers of artists like Blake Shelton and his former wife, Kelly Clarkson. He and Kelly Clarkson, who were married from 2013 to 2020 (with a divorce settlement in 2022), shared two children, daughter River (11) and son Remy (9). Brandon also had two older children, Savannah (23) and Seth (18), from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth.

Reba had previously paid tribute to Brandon on Instagram in August 2025, writing, "Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God's presence. There is no one else like him, and I'm thankful for the time we had together."

The Power of Music and a Moment of Shared Vulnerability

This unscripted, raw moment on The Voice transcended typical reality competition television. It showcased the profound way music can connect us, stirring deep personal memories and emotions. As Reba herself later reflected, country music, in particular, has a way of "bringing out all the emotions and the stories," grabbing hold of your heart.

The other coaches also reacted with immense empathy. Snoop Dogg's lighthearted request for his tissue back after the emotional exchange provided a much-needed moment of levity, allowing Reba and the audience to smile through their tears. Coach Michael Bublé expressed he got "goosebumps" from Aubrey's performance, and mega-mentor Joe Walsh of The Eagles shared his own connection, noting his wife is a cancer survivor and praising Aubrey for truly "taking the ride" of the song.

Aubrey Nicole, with her incredible talent and ability to convey such deep emotion, ultimately won her Knockout round, earning her a spot in the Playoffs. Her performance is now forever linked to this unforgettable moment of shared humanity and healing on national television.

What's Next for Aubrey Nicole and The Voice Season 28?

Aubrey Nicole's journey on The Voice continues, and fans are eagerly watching to see how far she goes. Her ability to connect so authentically through her music is undoubtedly a huge asset.

If you're looking to catch more of Season 28, here's what you need to know:

• When to Watch: The Voice airs Mondays at 9/8c on NBC.
• Streaming: Episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
• Upcoming Rounds:
  • The Playoffs: Monday, December 1, 2025, and Monday, December 8, 2025.
  • The Live Finale: A two-night event on December 15 and 16, 2025.

Don't miss out on the rest of this emotional and talent-filled season as the contestants vie for the coveted title, all while reminding us of music's incredible power to move and connect us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reba McEntire's Emotional Moment on The Voice

What song did Aubrey Nicole perform that moved Reba McEntire?

Aubrey Nicole performed Martina McBride's powerful ballad "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." She dedicated the song to her father, who is a cancer survivor.

Who was Reba McEntire referring to when she spoke about losing her "oldest son" to cancer?

Reba McEntire was referring to her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away in August 2025 after a battle with melanoma.

What was Brandon Blackstock's relationship with Reba McEntire and other famous figures?

Brandon Blackstock was Reba McEntire's stepson through her marriage to Narvel Blackstock. He was also a talent manager and was previously married to singer Kelly Clarkson, with whom he shared two children. He also had two children from a prior marriage to Melissa Ashworth.

Did Aubrey Nicole advance in The Voice competition after her performance?

Yes, Aubrey Nicole won her Knockout round and successfully advanced to the Playoffs stage of The Voice Season 28.

Sources

• NBC Insider (Content from October 27, 2025 article by Elizabeth Logan)
• Rolling Stone (Content from October 28, 2025 article by Larisha Paul)
• Central Oregon Daily News (Content from October 27, 2025 article by Harrison Jones)
• EntertainmentNow.com (Content from October 28, 2025 article by Robin Reynolds)
• 97.3 The Eagle (Content from October 28, 2025 article by Carena Liptak)