Holly Brand and two Mississippi men all excel on ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’
In her toughest decision yet, “The Voice” coach Kelly Clarkson chose Meridian native and former Miss Mississippi Holly Brand to move on to the live playoffs round of the reality singing competition.
Brand was praised by all of the judges for her unique yodel and her ability to hit whistle notes in her performance of “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Patsy Cline.
Brand competed against Team Kelly’s Rachel Christine in the knockouts round. Christine was also praised for her unique performance of “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac.
“The Voice” coach Niall Horan told Clarkson he would pick Holly to win after hearing her rendition of the Patsy Cline hit.
“I’ve been a fan since day one,” Horan said, “and I think we got to see what Holly Brand is about, even down to the outfit and the sparkly boots.”
Horan added, “I don’t think people realize how hard that (whistle note) is to do.”
Chance The Rapper said Brand, who wore a white dress and bedazzled knee high boots, has “perfect pitch.”
“You completely blew me away,” he said.
Brand and Christine’s knockout performance was leaked on YouTube earlier this week, but Clarkson’s decision was announced during the NBC episode Monday night. It is also Clarkson’s 41st birthday.
Mississippians across the state are rooting for Brand, who wowed the judges in her blind audition with a cover of “Mississippi” Girl by Faith Hill.
Confusing ‘Rhiannon’ and Rihanna
“The Voice” audience got a laugh in Monday night’s episode when Shelton mispronounced the name of the Fleetwood Mac hit that Christine performed, saying it like the name of hit pop star Rihanna.
The pronunciation confused Chance The Rapper, who had never heard “Rhiannon” before the performance.
Clarkson explained the error to Chance with a giggle.
“He (Blake) said it weird down there,” she said.
Mississippi contestants excel on ‘American Idol’
Brand isn’t the only Mississippian competing on a reality TV singing show right now.
Amory natives Zachariah Smith and Colin Stough made it to the Top 12 of season 21 of “American Idol” Monday night. Smith sang “Hold The Line” by Toto and Stough sang “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 9:02 PM.
