Meridian native Jamal Roberts won the most recent season of “American Idol,” and now, another Mississippian is looking to do the same but on NBC’s “The Voice.”
Kayleigh Clark, a 20-year-old from Sumrall, wowed the coaches during her audition that aired Monday night. Performing Sugarland’s “Stay,” she managed to get all four coaches – Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé – to turn their chairs, meaning each and every one of them wanted Clark to join their team.
“Absolutely incredible. I loved your song choice. You sing it beautifully, and I would love to have you on my team as a fellow country singer,” McEntire pleaded afterward as each coach gave their reasons why Clark should team up with them.
The coaches even invited Clark’s parents on stage with Snoop Dogg giving her dad a hug in hopes of landing the aspiring singer.
While aligning with McEntire, widely regarded as the “Queen of Country Music,” would have made sense, Clark made an unexpected choice as to who her coach would be moving forward as part of season 28.
“Ms. Reba, I love you so much. I have looked up to you for my whole life,” she said. “But, I think I’m going to have to go with Niall.”
Horan, a former member of One Direction and known as the pop type, exploded onto his feet and screamed with joy when Clark picked him.
“I stole a country music artist off the ‘Queen of Country.’ I don’t know how it happened,” he told the cameras, comparing Clark to Carrie Underwood.
As for how it did happen, Clark explained her rationale to rolling with Horan: “I picked Niall because a lot of country music artists are going to go with Reba. He can teach me how to put more soul into the music that I sing.”
Who is Kayleigh Clark?
Clark grew up on a chicken farm in Sumrall and first started playing and writing music at the age of 10 when she received her first guitar, she told NBC. Now 20, a decade of practice and the occasional gig in her new home of Nashville has her hoping to become a star through season 28 of “The Voice.”
If Clark’s name – or voice – sounds familiar, you may remember she auditioned and got a Golden Ticket on “American Idol” season 21 two years ago. Her “Idol” journey ended just before the top 26 semifinalists were selected that season.
Would Clark be the first Mississippian to win ‘The Voice’?
If Clark can find a way to win “The Voice,” she wouldn’t be the first Mississippian to be the last standing, but she would be the first since Meridian pastor Todd Tilghman won in 2020.
Other local singers who have made lengthy runs on the show as of recent include former Miss Mississippi Holly Brand in season 23, University of Southern Mississippi grad Karen Waldrup in season 25, and Wiggins native Deon Jones in season 26.
When does ‘The Voice’ air?
Season 28 of “The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c through Oct. 14. Starting Oct. 20, the show will air on Monday nights only, still at 8/7c. Beginning Nov. 3, episodes will air Monday nights at 9/8c.
All episodes can be watched live on NBC or next day on Peacock.
