Reba McEntire Brought to Tears on The Voice After Contestant Dedicates Audition to Late Grandfather

“When I sing a song and I’m thinking about my momma… I start gasping and I can’t sing anymore,” McEntire told William Alexander

Reba McEntire got emotional on The Voice after a contestant dedicated their audition to a late loved one.

On Tuesday night’s episode of the singing competition series, William Alexander auditioned with a powerful performance of Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings,” prompting a chair turn by Chance the Rapper and McEntire.

“Singing that song, I was actually singing it for my grandfather who passed away last year. He always said that he believed in me and it’s just crazy being here now,” Alexander said after his performance.

McEntire, 68, then asked him: “Were you thinking about your grandfather?”

Reba McEntire; William Alexander.
Trae Patton/NBC; Casey Durkin/NBC
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His answer was yes.

“When I sing a song and I’m thinking about my momma… I start gasping and I can’t sing anymore,” the “Does He Love You” singer told him. “How did you do that?”

Alexander explained that he simply “pictured him hearing this and seeing me do this. It just made me feel so proud to be here.”

“Wonderful. You’re gonna have somebody with you all the time and now I’m getting choked up and I’m going to have to start talking very high but I thought you did a great job. Your voice is beautiful gift and I’d love to have you on my team,” McEntire concluded as she wiped away tears.

When it came down to his decision for a coach — Alexander said his “gut” told him to pick McEntire.

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“I’m always really excited about working with young people. William’s voice was very smooth but different from anything else I’ve got so that’s why I wanted him,” she said.

In a post-performance interview, Alexander opened up about his choice.

“It feels so crazy that Reba got emotional. That’s when I really felt connected to her and I just knew that I had to pick Reba,” he said.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.