Reba McEntire Brought to Tears by Emotional Audition on The Voice
It takes a lot to move Reba McEntire to tears — but during the September 22 episode of The Voice, one country hopeful did just that.
When Manny Costello, a Georgia native and proud girl dad, stepped onto the stage and began singing Craig Morgan’s “Almost Home,” Reba’s eyes immediately filled with tears. By the time he reached the final chorus, she had a tissue in hand and emotion in her voice.
“Manny, you made me homesick,” she told him, her voice trembling. “It took me back to all the greats I’ve been blessed to hear in my life. You’ve got the soul of George Jones, the heart of Merle Haggard, and a little Randy Travis in there. It’s just a great combination… gosh dang, why am I getting so emotional? It’s tears of joy.”
“Like Country Butter”: Fans React to His Classic Sound
This wasn’t stage theatrics — it was Reba genuinely moved by a voice that felt timeless. Online, viewers echoed her praise, describing Manny’s sound as “smooth as silk, rich, and pure country soul.” One fan summed it up: “He’s the best blend of 70s and 80s country legends you could imagine.”
And while Reba was wiping away tears, Snoop Dogg was vibing in his red chair, sunglasses on, soaking up every note. When Reba, still emotional, called him “Snoopy,” he grinned and slid her a tissue — a moment that had fans laughing through their tears. “Snoop out here living his best life while Reba’s crying to Craig Morgan,” one viewer joked.
A Performance with Heart and Honesty
Before stepping on stage, Manny shared that the song’s story — about a man with little but gratitude — resonated deeply with him. “When I look at my life and the people who love me, I feel blessed,” he said. That sincerity came through in every note.
His tone was steady, his vibrato controlled, and his delivery heartfelt. As one fan wrote online, “His tone, his vibrato, his classic sound — wow.”
Choosing Team Reba
After his moving performance, both Reba and Snoop turned their chairs. But the decision was easy for Manny, whose daughters Maggie and Leighton are big fans of Reba, the sitcom.
“I love hanging out with my girls,” he said. “We cuddle up, we watch Reba all the time. I want to show them that you can do anything if you believe in yourself.”
For Reba, the moment hit home. “You just triggered something that needed to come out,” she told him. “You made me grateful — grateful to still be in this business, and grateful to feel something so real again. I’d love you on my team.”
A True Voice Moment
Reba McEntire has faced countless stages, heartbreak songs, and honky-tonk nights — but one Georgia boy’s raw, classic-country performance reminded her what country music is all about: heart, roots, and truth.
That’s the magic of The Voice at its best — one song, one singer, one moment that makes even a legend feel right back at home in Oklahoma.