The Voice Season 28 Knockouts Continue — DEK of Hearts Earns Niall’s “Mic Drop” as Kayleigh Clark Bids an Emotional Farewell
A High-Stakes Night of Knockouts
The Season 28 Knockouts of The Voice continued on Monday night, bringing more powerhouse performances, emotional goodbyes, and one of the most dramatic “Mic Drop” moments of the season. Coaches Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, and Niall Horan faced the tough task of pairing their remaining artists for head-to-head sing-offs — with no Saves, no Steals, and everything on the line.
Unlike the Battle Rounds, Knockouts give contestants full creative control over their song choice, allowing them to show America exactly who they are as artists.
Meet the Mega Mentors and New Twist: The “Mic Drop” Button
Helping guide the artists through this intense round were two iconic Mega Mentors:
Joe Walsh, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and legendary guitarist of The Eagles, teamed up with Niall and Reba.
Zac Brown, the Grammy-winning frontman of Zac Brown Band, worked alongside Michael and Snoop.
A new feature this season — the “Mic Drop Button” — lets each coach spotlight one artist whose Knockout performance leaves them completely speechless. Fans will later vote for their favorite “Mic Drop” artist, and the winner will earn a coveted live performance slot at The 2026 Rose Parade Presented by Honda.
Michael Bublé was the first to hit his button earlier this season for Max Chambers, and on Monday night, Niall Horan followed suit — awarding his “Mic Drop” to fan-favorite duo DEK of Hearts.
Team Niall: DEK of Hearts vs. Kayleigh Clark
One of the night’s standout matchups came from Team Niall, featuring two powerhouse vocalists — four-chair turn Kayleigh Clark and duo DEK of Hearts.
DEK of Hearts performed “What If I Never Get Over You” by Lady A, showcasing their seamless harmonies and emotional storytelling.
Kayleigh Clark countered with a soaring rendition of “Blue” by LeAnn Rimes, her crystal-clear tone proving why she earned four chair turns in the first place.
The decision wasn’t easy. After a tense deliberation, Niall announced DEK of Hearts as the winners of the Knockout.
“I honestly think that was the toughest decision I’ve made on The Voice,” Niall admitted. “Kayleigh is an incredibly talented singer. I just have a feeling about DEK — they bring something to the show that makes me excited. When they sing together, it’s magic.”
Moments later, Niall pressed his “Mic Drop” Button, making DEK of Hearts his official pick for the honor.
“Every time DEK stands on stage, they’re just so solid, so consistent, and they always challenge themselves. I think they deserve a chance for America to hear more of them.”
Kayleigh Clark Says Goodbye — and Hello to What’s Next
Following her elimination, Kayleigh Clark took to social media to share a heartfelt message of gratitude, reflecting on her Voice journey as “one of the best summers of my life.”
She wrote about how the experience not only strengthened her artistry but also built lifelong friendships:
“I feel so blessed to have a platform to share my story and hopefully inspire others. Don’t you worry… we’re just getting started.”
Kayleigh also expressed deep appreciation for Coach Niall Horan, crediting him for helping her rebuild her confidence:
“Niall believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’ll carry all his advice and lessons with me forever.”
She went on to thank her teammates, especially DEK of Hearts, calling them “family forever” and revealing her dream of one day performing with them at the Grand Ole Opry.
Her post ended with optimism and a hint at future projects:
“2025 will be hard to beat, but I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store!”
Fans flooded the comments section with support and admiration:
“Kayleigh, you were amazing! This is only the beginning.”
“Your voice will go far — we’ll always be here supporting you.”
“You left your mark on The Voice, and that’s something special.”
Who’s Advancing to the Playoffs?
After Monday’s show, the following artists are confirmed for The Voice Season 28 Playoffs:
Aubrey Nicole (Team Reba)
Ava Nat (Team Niall)
Ralph Edwards (Team Snoop)
Aiden Ross (Team Niall)
Max Chambers (Team Bublé)
Toni Lorene (Team Snoop)
DEK of Hearts (Team Niall)
Rob Cole (Team Reba)
Ryan Mitchell (Team Reba, Carson Callback)
Trinity (Team Bublé)
A Night of Passion, Emotion, and Promise
As the Knockouts near their conclusion, The Voice Season 28 continues to prove why it remains one of TV’s most powerful showcases of raw talent.
With DEK of Hearts earning Niall’s “Mic Drop” and Kayleigh Clark leaving the stage with grace and gratitude, it’s clear that both artists have already won something bigger than the trophy — the hearts of viewers across the country.
And with the Playoffs right around the corner, the question now is:
Can anyone stop DEK of Hearts — or will the dark horses rise again?