Reba McEntire infused the second night of The Voice Season 28 finale with the quiet reverence of the holiday season, delivering one of the evening’s most unforgettable moments alongside her finalist, Aubrey Nicole.
The live finale aired Tuesday night (December 16), culminating in the crowning of a new champion. Before the results were revealed, viewers were treated to two hours of performances from finalists, coaches, and an array of special guests. Artists including Riley Green, Neal Schon, Zac Brown with Noah Cyrus, Khalid, and more helped bring the season to a celebratory close.
Three of the four coaches took part in the festive finale—dubbed The Voice Finale Holiday Spectacular—joining their finalists for Christmas performances. Niall Horan was the only coach absent from the stage. Stepping in, Reba teamed up with Horan’s finalist trio, DEK of Hearts, for a spirited rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Gina Miles, the Season 23 champion from Team Niall, also returned to perform “Last Christmas” with Horan’s finalist, Aiden Ross.
While the episode was filled with standout performances, one moment rose above the rest: Reba McEntire’s duet with her team’s sole remaining finalist, Aubrey Nicole. Together, they delivered a soul-stirring rendition of the beloved Christmas hymn “Mary, Did You Know?”
The song has a rich history on The Voice. In 2015, Jordan Smith famously performed it during the Season 9 finale, moments before being named the winner. Reba herself has revisited the song over the years, singing it with Little Big Town for CMA Country Christmas in 2017 and recording it for her 1999 holiday album, Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection.
For Aubrey Nicole—Team Reba’s last standing artist—sharing the stage with her coach marked a deeply meaningful moment. Their emotional performance struck a reflective chord, reminding viewers of the spiritual heart of the season.
About Aubrey Nicole
Aubrey first captured Reba’s attention during the Blind Auditions with a moving cover of Cam’s “Burning House.” Reba was the only coach to turn her chair, and she remained a steadfast supporter throughout the demanding weeks of competition.
By the end of the Playoffs, four artists remained on Team Reba, leaving the coach with a difficult decision. Reba ultimately chose Aubrey, praising her “heart of gold” and her gift for conveying raw emotion through music.
“I chose Aubrey because she has a way of portraying a lot of emotion, and that’s what music is supposed to be about,” Reba said. “I definitely think Aubrey has a shot to win the whole competition.”
Fans can watch Reba McEntire and Aubrey Nicole’s moving performance of “Mary, Did You Know?” in the video below.
Where Did Aubrey Place in the Finale?
Aubrey Nicole finished the competition in fourth place, trailing DEK of Hearts, Ralph Edwards, and Season 28 champion Aiden Ross.
Reba McEntire and Aubrey Nicole Stop the Finale Cold With a Soul-Shaking “Mary, Did You Know?”