Reba McEntire Breaks Down In Tears During Powerful Performance On ‘The Voice’ Knockouts Round: ‘I Felt Your Heart Breaking’
April 12, 2024 by Marissa Matozzo
Reba McEntire, as fans know, has an unparalleled understanding of how music can convey emotion and truth. The April 8th episode of The Voice featured the first round of Knockouts, where contestants Asher HaVon and Tae Lewis from Team Reba competed against each other. Prior to their performance, they sought the guidance of special guest mentor Keith Urban, who provided valuable feedback to help them prepare.
HaVon, 31, confided in McEntire, 69, about his recent emotional breakup and revealed his plans to channel those feelings into his cover of “Un-break My Heart” by Toni Braxton. Urban commended HaVon’s range after hearing him practice, and advised him to start off slowly before building up to the climax.
When HaVon performed the classic 1996 song again, it moved his coach McEntire to tears. “Oh Asher, you got me. I felt your heart breaking. That’s what you want, and you got it. So, bravo,” the “I’m a Survivor” hitmaker said to HaVon, her voice quivering with emotion.
Before taking on the tune once again, HaVon told McEntire: “I just went through a breakup, and I love to get on stage and kind of be in character, but this time, there is no character. It’s just me.” He continued: “This is my first time facing those emotions.” McEntire replied: “Yeah, music is the best way to do it. It’ll heal your heart. It’ll help it.”
In an on-screen interview, the contestant provided more devastating context. “I chose my [career] dreams over my relationship,” he said. Despite the intense emotional turmoil caused by severing ties with his former partner, the vocalist said that pursuing his dreams has brought him immense personal growth (something McEntire noticed as well). After his moving initial performance for Urban and McEntire, the country legend asked HaVon: “That hurt, didn’t it?” He then said it did.