The emotional outpouring reached its peak on the concluding night of The Voice Season 24 Knockouts, leaving everyone wishing for a comforting presence like Mama Reba to distribute tissues in times of need.
The grand finale of the night, and of the entire season, featured the face-off among Team Niall’s talents: Alexa Wildish, Lennon Vanderdoes, and the 13-year-old prodigy Julia Roome. Even during rehearsals with Niall Horan stand-ins Dan and Shay, alongside the season’s Mega-Mentor Wynonna Judd, the trio’s song choices brought tears to many eyes. Among them, Alexa Wildish’s soul-stirring, slowed-down acoustic rendition of Cher’s “Believe” during rehearsal left the rehearsal squad, including Niall and the Mega-Mentor herself, Wynonna Judd, wiping away tears. Alexa’s emotional connection to the lyrics was palpable.
The Voice Season 24 Finale (Credits: Entertainment Weekly)
In the actual performances, Alexa’s rendition of “Believe” retained its emotional impact, earning praise from John Legend, who described it as “flawless,” and Gwen Stefani, who marveled at Alexa’s uniqueness, stating that “nobody does what [she] just did anymore.” Julia Roome showcased her emotional depth with a powerful cover of Sia’s “Unstoppable,” prompting John to express his astonishment and predict that a performance like hers could win the entire show. However, it was Lennon Vanderdoes and his guitar who left everyone in tears with his distinctive take on Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up.” Lennon’s complete commitment and in-the-moment presence set his performance apart, moving both Gwen and John to tears.
During the critiques, John struggled to articulate his emotions, acknowledging Lennon as the underdog and finding it profoundly moving to witness him “being fully [him]self.” Reba McEntire, ever-prepared, distributed tissues to her fellow coaches to help them cope with the emotional intensity.
As the moment of decision arrived, Niall faced the challenge of choosing between his talented artists, knowing he had no saves or steals left. Despite the tough choice ahead, Niall decided to advance Alexa Wildish to the playoffs. While Lennon delivered a powerful performance, Niall recognized Alexa’s consistent excellence and creative prowess throughout the competition, making it feel like the right choice despite the heart-wrenching circumstances.
