Who is L Rodgers? Baltimore singer secures a place on 'The Voice' with last-second chair turn during Blind Audition
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the latest episode of 'The Voice' Season 25, a talented contestant by the name of L Rodgers performed a captivating rendition of the timeless classic 'Wild Horses' by The Rolling Stones.
What transpired next left the audience and judges in a state of awe, as Reba McEntire, a renowned country music icon, unexpectedly pushed her chair to turn around in the very last second of the performance, signaling her profound appreciation for Rodgers' remarkable talent.
Amazed by the sheer brilliance of her vocal abilities, Reba confessed that she found herself completely engrossed in Rodgers' performance, describing it as nothing short of being 'blown away.'
Reba further elaborated on her admiration, emphasizing the captivating 'roundness' and 'fullness' of L Rodgers' voice, which undoubtedly left an indelible impression on Reba and the entire panel of judges.
"I was just blown away with your vocal and I was like, 'Holy crap, I gotta turn around for this person!'" Reba said.
"I loved your voice. I loved the roundness, the fullness of it. You're a powerhouse," she further added.
'The Voice' Season 25 contestant L Rodgers is a big Reba McEntire fan
Rodgers was filled with overwhelming happiness as she received praise from her idol Reba McEntire, a moment she had been dreaming of for years.
The Baltimore singer was so elated that she could hardly control her excitement, feeling like all of her hard work and dedication had finally paid off.
The recognition from someone she had looked up to for so long meant the world to her, and she couldn't help but feel grateful and honored.
Rodgers expressed how deeply McEntire has impacted her life over the years, mentioning that she and his wife are currently revisiting her classic sitcom 'Reba'.
"You have touched my soul throughout my entire life. My wife and I are currently rewatching ‘Reba,’” Rodgers said.
She further added, "I love all of you so much, but I’ve got to say, you’re my favorite.”
'The Voice' Season 25 contestant L Rodgers opens up about her autism diagnosis
On the NBC show 'The Voice', Rodgers expressed that her recent discovery of being on the autism spectrum has provided clarity to many questions she had during her childhood about her identity and her place in the world of music.
She believes that her autism played a significant role in her intense passion for singing and songwriting, attributing it to her ability to perceive patterns in everything around her.
Overall, Rodgers feels that her autism has not only shaped her musical talent but also enhanced her skills as a songwriter.
“I absolutely think my autism is a huge reason why I was hyper-focused on singing,” Rodgers said.
She went on to say, “I swear it makes me a better songwriter. I see patterns in everything.”
'The Voice' Season 25 judges loved L Rodgers' personality
All of the coaches, including John Legend, Reba McEntire, and Chance the Rapper, openly acknowledged that Rodgers' optimistic and 'infectious' personality served as a tremendous source of inspiration for them.
“Your vibe is very infectious, and I love how passionate you are about your vocals but also about just this moment and soaking it in — I love that!” John said.
Chance further added, "I have so much love for you it’s crazy! Just an infectious joy: There’s something radiating off you. I’m really happy you get to work with Reba!”
Reba chimed in, “When L Rodgers started to sing, I thought, ‘Wow! Emotion, clarity, range, power — everything you look for in a great singer. I think she’s terrific! Everything touched me about her voice. She was meant to be on my team!”
'The Voice' Season 25 airs on NBC at 8 pm on Mondays and 9 pm on Tuesdays. The episodes will be available on Peacock on demand the next day. The streaming site also includes entire episodes from the show's prior seasons.