The Voice: Country Singers’ Sensational Chris Stapleton Battle Leaves Reba With Impossible Choice

Reba McEntire faced one of the toughest decisions of The Voice Season 28 after two of her standout country contestants — Leyton Robinson and Manny Costello — delivered a jaw-dropping duet that left every coach stunned. 🎶

A New Twist: Contestants Chose Their Own Battle Partners

This season brought a major change — instead of the coaches choosing the battle pairings, contestants were allowed to pick their own partners.

For Team Reba, Leyton Robinson and Manny Costello decided to team up, believing their voices would blend perfectly. That intuition turned out to be absolutely right.

During rehearsals, Reba and her battle advisor Nick Jonas couldn’t hide their excitement. Both singers showcased undeniable chemistry and vocal control that promised a show-stopping performance.

Their Song Choice: Chris Stapleton’s “Think I’m in Love with You”

For their battle, Leyton and Manny performed Chris Stapleton’s “Think I’m in Love with You,” a soulful and groovy country hit released in 2024 that climbed to No. 12 on Billboard’s country charts.

When they hit the stage, the duo delivered a powerful, emotional duet full of rich harmonies and heartfelt storytelling — embodying everything Reba loves about country music.

The Coaches React: “One of the Best Battles of the Season”

After the performance, the panel couldn’t stop praising both artists.

Michael Bublé told Leyton she could “sing the phone book,” adding that her voice had incredible clarity and emotion. Turning to Manny, he said, “You have such great texture in your voice.”

Snoop Dogg complimented the pair’s teamwork:

“I love the ins and outs, the camaraderie, and the way y’all came together at the end — it was amazing.”

Niall Horan pointed out that he hadn’t noticed Manny’s “grit” during the blinds but loved hearing it now. He also called Leyton’s voice “piercing and unforgettable.”

Reba’s Impossible Choice 💔

When it came time to choose, Reba McEntire took a deep breath.

“I’m very proud of you both,” she said. “Even from rehearsals, you have grown so much.”

She turned to Leyton first:

“I love your voice, I love your look, and you’ve clearly thought about every detail — it’s so professional.”

Then, she praised Manny:

“I’ve always loved that little gravelly grit. It was so good.”

After a long pause, Reba finally made her decision — she chose Leyton Robinson as the winner of the battle.

Although she hinted that she hoped another coach would steal Manny, unfortunately, no one pressed their button. Still, Michael Bublé admitted later that he almost did.

Reba Explains Her Decision

After the show, Reba explained her choice to keep Leyton moving forward:

“I think I could help her. I’m just so impressed with her vocals, and I want to give her songs that will challenge her. I think she’ll rise to the occasion.”

The heartfelt battle quickly became a fan favorite online — many calling it one of the most emotional and musically perfect duets of the entire season.

Watch the full performance of Leyton Robinson and Manny Costello’s Chris Stapleton battle below, and decide for yourself — would you have made the same choice as Reba?