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NEED TO KNOW
- Austin Gilbert and his fellow Team Bublé contestant Rob Cole performed “Honeybee” for the Battles on The Voice
- After the performance, coach Michael Bublé chose Cole to remain on his team — but coach Reba McEntire stepped in with a save
- “I’m going to make you proud ma’am,” he said to McEntire
Austin Gilbert is getting a second chance thanks to Reba McEntire.
During the Monday, Oct. 13 episode of The Voice, Gilbert went head-to-head in the Battles with his fellow Team Bublé contestant Rob Cole. Together, they performed Blake Shelton’s “Honeybee” in hopes of staying in the competition — and the Canadian crooner chose Cole to stay in the competition.
“I never thought in my life I would be here. Thank you guys real much,” he said, fighting back tears in his eyes.
As Gilbert was making his way to say goodbye to his coach, McEntire used her one “save” and the contestant dropped to his knees.
“Austin, you enthusiasm, your big heart, your gorgeous voice,” the “It’s Your Call” singer, 70, said, fighting back tears. “You’re a cowboy. I’m so thrilled that you are now a part of Team Reba.”
Ashley Osborn/NBC; Griffin Nagel/NBC
McEntire then stood up from her chair and gave him an emotional hug — and Gilbert thanked her for “making my dreams come true.”
“I loved everything about Austin. He had a childlike attitude about him,” she said, later adding, “I just loved his voice. That’s why I wanted to steal him. He’s going to really do well for my team.”
The country star later walked into his solo interview and Gilbert said, “I’m going to make you proud ma’am,” to which she responded, “I don’t have one doubt in my mind.”
Ashley Osborn/NBC
When Bublé, 50, made his decision, he said both contestants were “amazing country singers” — but he believed Cole was his “country superstar.”
“He is a versatile guy. I think he’s a real charismatic artist,” he said.
In a clip shared on Instagram after the episode aired, Cole waited for Gilbert outside the stage and they shared an emotional embrace as Gilbert cried out, “She saved me dude.”
Cole captioned the post, “Nothin fake about this friendship, nor this dudes heart. Couldn’t have been a better Battle matchup! #TeamReba got a good one! Super proud to have shared the stage with @austingilbertmusic, and super grateful to continue representing #TeamBuble!”
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. All episodes are available to stream the following day on Peacock.