Who was Dylan Carter? Reba McEntire pays emotional tribute after ‘The Voice’ alum dies at 24
Dylan Carter was a 'The Voice' alum who tragically died on Saturday, owing to injuries sustained in a car crash in South Carolina, according to a report by Variety magazine. The country singer and performer was 24 years old at the time of his death. Carter's untimely death has shocked the music community, especially since he was looked upon by his fans as a source of inspiration. He had managed to turn the chairs around for all four judges on Season 24 of 'The Voice' during his Blind Auditions.
Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, John Legen, and Reba McEntire had praised his performance, as he delivered a stirring rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I Look To You.' The song held special significance for Carter, who sang it as a tribute to his late mother, who had passed away a year earlier. Ever since he first walked in for the audition, Carter was particularly earmarked for McEntire, as the latter was moved to tears by his audition performance. During the taping, McEntire had commented in this regard, "I love those songs, when you can take it spiritual or secular, either one. So much emotion, and I saw it, and I felt it, and I heard it when you were singing."
McEntire had further acknowledged that Carter's performance resonated with her when she said, "That's when you know you've got a great song and a great singer, when it touches your heart." Following his audition, Carter faced the familiar choice of choosing his preferred coach on 'The Voice'. According to another report by USA Today, he ended up choosing McEntire almost instinctively, "Something told me to go with Reba. She could be a comforting mom figure for me. She'd welcome me in, make me feel confident, and show me how to use my voice." In a moving Instagram story posted by McEntire, the country music legend mourned the loss of Carter by saying, "We will miss Dylan so much. He was a brilliant, kind, and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to The Voice. Rest in peace, my dear friend."
Thomas Hamilton, the mayor of Moncks Corner, S.C., noted in a statement, "Our family is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dylan Carter in a car accident. As a gifted singer, he frequently entertained our community with his performances at Town events. His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt. To the loved ones and acquaintances of Dylan, we offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult period. The Town of Moncks Corner, its Council, and entire staff extend their deepest sympathies. He was much more to our family than an entertainer; he was our friend, and we are deeply saddened."
