Ashley Bryant Lands On Team Reba With Sassy Performance Of Carrie Underwood Hit
“You did a great job on Carrie’s song. She’d be very proud,” Reba told the 26-year-old contestant.

Reba McEntire; Photo by Trae Patton/NBC, Ashley Bryant; Photo by Casey Durkin/NBC
Ashley Bryant brought some sass to the stage of NBC’s The Voice, performing Carrie Underwood’s 2008 chart-topper, “Last Name” for her blind audition.
Bryant Delivered An Impressive Performance
Dressed in a trendy ensemble with torn jeans, dazzling sparkly boots, and a white sparkly top, the 26-year-old poured her heart and soul into her performance. With each step she took on the stage, it was evident that she had the confidence and charisma of a seasoned performer. Bryant added a touch of attitude to her delivery, matching the song’s spirited and spunky message.

Reba Waited Until The Last Minute To Turn Her Chair
It took quite a while for Bryant to earn a chair turn, but finally, at the last note, Reba McEntire hit her button.
At the sight of Reba, Ashley Bryant jumped up and down and could be heard shouting “Reba! Yes! Oh my God!”
The crowd then began to chant, “Reba, Reba, Reba” as the Kentucky native tried to regain her composure in front of the country music legend.

“I would get excited too if the Queen of Country turned for me after that,” coach John Legend quipped from his big red chair.
Reba Says Carrie Underwood Would Be “Very Proud”
Reba gave her the compliment of a lifetime, telling the contestant, “You did a great job on Carrie’s song. She’d be very proud!”
With a big smile on her face, Bryant responded, “Love me some, Carrie Underwood!”

To learn more about her newest team member, Reba questioned, “How long have you been singing?”
How Did Ashley Bryant Lose Part Of Her Hearing?
Bryant revealed, “I’ve been singing my whole life professionally, just about four years. I got into a car wreck a couple of years back, so I’m 30% hearing in my right ear. And here I am!”
Legend said he loved her “energy and enthusiasm” and encouraged her to keep going, despite her hearing loss.
Watch Ashley Bryant’s Blind Audition
“I had an artist named Maelyn Jarmon, season 16. She won The Voice and she also had significant hearing loss,” he explained. “Just so you know, the sky’s the limit for what you can do on this show. And I know it’s a challenge you have to work through, but I know you can do it.”
Why Did Dan + Shay Not Turn Their Chair?
Dan + Shay admitted to feeling a bit of regret for not turning their double chair.
“The minute I heard you open your mouth, start singing that song, I was looking down the way looking at Queen Reba and I was like, that is the perfect match,” Dan Smyers said.

Shay Mooney joked, “Reba, I’ll tell you what now I’m a little bummed out that I didn’t turn. You pulled a sneaky on us and waited until the last minute.”
Ultimately, what held the country duo back from turning was another contestant.
“Listen, we have somebody on our team right now, honestly, just full transparency. That is another country act. Very similar. I would’ve turned my chair. I think you’re phenomenal, Ashley,” Mooney added.

Chance the Rapper told her, “Great performance, man. You should be really, really happy and excited!”
Before exiting the stage, Ashley Bryant exclaimed, “I’m so happy, it’s written all over my face!” She proceeded to ask Reba if she could give her a hug.
The country icon happily obliged and hopped out of her seat to make her way to the stage.

Reba Explains Her Last-Secon Push
“The more she sang, the more I fell in love with her voice and her energy. I was really worried having another coach that is in the country vein. So I did a last-second push and I snuck in there and without anybody else turning, and I think she can go far on The Voice,” Reba said of her newest team member.
The Voice airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.