Girl Named Tom Talk ‘Successes’ and ‘Sorrow’ After Reuniting with Cancer-Stricken Father Following ‘The Voice’ Win
Sibling trio Girl Named Tom recently made history as the first trio to win The Voice and just moments after…
Girl Named Tom; Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
Sibling trio Girl Named Tom recently made history as the first trio to win The Voice and just moments after their crowning moment, Josh, Caleb, and Bekah Liechty revealed that their father’s cancer had worsened and that they were on their way back home to be by his side.
In a new interview with People, Girl Named Tom reflected on the “surreal” moment, admitting winning the show felt “crazy” as they’ve “never felt that much attention at once.”
Shortly after their history-making win, the Liechty shared a heartbreaking update about their father’s condition, revealing that he was “in horrific pain following yet another surgery.” Girl Named Tom left Los Angles “as soon as possible” to be by his side and soon reunited with him at the hospital.
Bekah told the publication that the moment was “very sweet” and that they were thrilled to be together after spending so much time apart.
“Our parents were elated and could hardly believe that their children who were just on national television, less than 24 hours ago, winning this trophy thing, all of a sudden were back hanging out with them. It was really neat,” Joshua added.
When speaking with WTOL, Caleb said they’ve been taking turns visiting him as much a possible since they returned home.
The group was open about their father’s health struggles while on the show and even performed the Glen Campbell classic “Wichita Lineman” in his honor. They say their choice to let fans in on what was happening behind the scenes was an important one.
“…And just to share that, that’s a part of real-life too, and not everything is rosy, you know. And as we’re having successes, we’re also having, like, sorrow at the same time. And to kinda like give people a look at that,” said Bekah.
The trio also opened up about the difficult decision to stay on the show while their father was battling terminal cancer at home.
“The only thing that kept us out there in California was the fact that our parents were watching every week, and it was giving them so much hope in life,” Bekah shared. “And so in turn, it gave us a lot of life too in that aspect. It’s very much a roller coaster and calling home brought a lot to our emotional selves.”
She added, “We had to focus too on the art. But we tried to hold both and not let one take over the other. I describe it as a mountaintop experience and a valley all at the same time. It shifts all the time, but we’re no stranger to that way of life. And it’s been like that for a long time. So it’s just on a grander scale now.”
Caleb recalled calling his parents and questioned if they should leave the show.
“‘This is ridiculous,’” Caleb would often think. “‘Why are we out here? Why are we going through so much pain? Why would we keep this distance when it doesn’t have to be this way?’”
He said his parents encouraged them to stay and see the process through, and they’re glad they did.
As for what’s next for the trio, Girl Named Tom is ready to return to the studio and ultimately release a full-length album, after enjoying some downtime, of course.
“We’re definitely gonna take a couple of weeks and just let it soak in. Just focus on family time but then after the new year comes around we’re ready to get back to work. We’ve got a lot of songs we’ve written in the past couple of years that we believe in,” Joshua said.
Fans can keep up with the trio on Instagram.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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