A Morning Routine with a Musical Twist
Kayleigh Clark starts her day at 5 a.m., helping her father care for over 100,000 chickens on their farm. While the task is demanding, Kayleigh approaches it with a song in her heart. The 20-year-old from Sumrall, Mississippi, found her passion for music when she received her first guitar at age 10. That moment marked the beginning of a deep connection with music that would shape her life.
“My uncle has a band,” Kayleigh recalls. “He’s played all around Mississippi, and I used to join him on stage. That’s how I got my start. My dad plays the guitar too, and he bought me my first one when I was 10. From there, I started playing and writing songs. As I grew older, music became an escape from the challenges at home.”
The challenges at home included her father’s struggle with alcoholism, which affected his ability to be present for his family. However, her father has been sober for three years now, and he was recently by her side during her appearance on The Voice.
A Journey of Love and Recovery
“It's hard to watch someone you love battle addiction, but I would go through it all again just to have the man he is today,” Kayleigh shares. “Having him here for this moment means everything to me.”
On The Voice, Kayleigh performed “Stay” by Kid KAROI and Justin Bieber during her Blind Audition, earning a four-chair turn. Her performance was met with praise from the coaches, especially Reba McEntire.
“Absolutely incredible,” Reba said. “I loved your song choice. You sang it beautifully, and I would love to have you on my team as a fellow country singer. You did a wonderful job, and I’m very proud of you.”
Michael Bublé also expressed admiration for her talent, noting the impact of her voice. “I had to turn because I could see the goosebumps on Niall’s arms from where I was sitting. I love country music dearly. I’ve been telling Reba I want to go to Nashville and make my own country record. I know it sounds weird, but I’d love for you to consider me even though you have the queen of country.”
Snoop Dogg joined the conversation, joking about being the first to recognize her talent. “I think I was first. A friend of mine named Ricky Bobby says, ‘either you’re first or you’re last.’” Kayleigh responded with a smile, “That’s exactly what my daddy tells me all the time.”
A Unique Voice and Strategic Choice
Niall Horan was the final coach to express interest in Kayleigh. “I had to turn based off the goosebumps,” he said, referencing Michael’s comment. “You have one of those really unique voices, kind of like Carrie Underwood, and it really pierced through. I can guarantee I don’t even have to ask if you write songs. I can always tell by someone who knows how to portray a feeling. I would love to work with you.”
During the interaction, Kayleigh’s parents shared a heartfelt moment with the coaches. Michael reflected on the emotional significance of watching his child perform. “What a cool moment for you to get to watch your kid that you love more than anybody will ever know. It makes me emotional. I’ve got four beautiful kids, and I can’t even imagine how I’d feel. I’m so happy for you guys.”
When asked who she wanted as her coach, Kayleigh made a surprising choice. “Miss Reba, I love you so much. I’ve looked up to you for my whole life, but I think I’m going to have to go with Niall.” This decision left Reba stunned.
“There’s a chance I could become a country coach,” Niall said. “Who would have thought? It’s happening. Four-chair champion is well and truly back. Kayleigh is one of those undeniable voices. It’s so clean, so pure. I stole a country music artist off the queen of country. I don’t know how it happened, but I’m so glad she’s on Team Niall.”
Reba acknowledged the strategic move. “When Kayleigh chose Niall, I was shocked. Nobody is staying within their genres. They’re coming after country artists because they do very well on The Voice. It’s very smart. I gotta get my game up.”
Looking Ahead
The Voice continues to captivate audiences with its powerful performances and inspiring stories. The show airs Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes available the next day on Peacock. As Season 28 unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling moments and unforgettable talent.
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