The Real Reason ‘The Voice’s Team Reba Contestant Tom Nitti Left the Competition

Reba McEntire’s team for the Playoffs was one short when her country singer Tom Nitti was absent, but at the time we were only told it was for “personal reasons.” Now Tom has shared that he departed Team Reba after learning his ex-wife sought primary custody of his two children.

Nitti disclosed the full truth in an exclusive interview with the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

“The biggest misconception is when people think I went on the show knowing that I’d leave,” he told the outlet. “It all happened so quickly and I needed to make a fast decision. I chose my family and I’ll tell you why.”

Nitti, who originally had been invited to compete in season 23 of The Voice but had to defer a year in order to obtain a leave of absence from his job as a New York State Trooper, had filed for divorce five months before season 24 aired and he was doing his best to co-parent with his ex-wife even though their relationship was strained.

But his pursuit of a career in music was going well. Once Reba turned her chair for him in the Blind Auditions, Tom made it through the Battles and the Knockouts and was headed into the Playoffs, but that’s when his lawyers contacted him with the bad news that he was going to have to fight his ex for custody of his children. And Tom chose his children.

“I had just received an email from my lawyers urging me to come home because my ex-wife was going after primary custody,” he told the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

The decision to exit The Voice wasn’t an easy one, but he decided it was the right one.

“I made this choice not because I missed my kids,” Nitti said, “but because I couldn’t imagine losing them. I am happy with the decision I made, but should it have come to that point? Absolutely not.”

Why Tom Nitti Quit The Voice

The day after the The Voice Playoffs, Tom shared on Instagram his decision to exit The Voice, explaining it was for his kids.

He wrote, “Well, I’ve been dreading this day ever since the blind audition so here goes nothin’. …First and foremost I’m blessed beyond belief and I can’t say enough how much I love and appreciate the constant support from my fans, my friends and my family…As much as it absolutely stings to say, I had to make probably one of the hardest yet easiest decisions ever and ultimately at the end of the day, my kids will always come first and if I had to make the same decision again I’d do it over and over…..

“This past summer was filled to the max with everything I love and could’ve only dreamed of and Thanks to @nbcthevoice I was able to live my wildest dreams and do what I’ve always hoped. I made friends that’ll last a life time, experiences that I can hold on to forever and even found REAL and TRUE love (@ashleybryantofficial)….

“I wish I can put every single person in this post that had my back going through the tough times while I was in California like @jacquieroar @huntleymusic @lennonvmusic @officiallybias @marajustine1 @thejordanrainer @steemusic @reba but nonetheless I hope everyone knows how happy and grateful i am for them. This isn’t the end of me and I’ll do what I do best for everyone to see which is keep my head down and move forward playing music and raising/creating new memories with a family I will continue to grow.

“I never believed in the whole, things happen for a reason statement but in this case I think God has it all figured out. He knows I don’t break easily. For everyone asking, I’m alright and still standing. Thank you so much and as always, I’m super pumped to keep on keepin’ on with music, my kids Rayleigh and Brently my whole family to include my smokin’ girlfriend that keeps my head held high… Im more than ready to continue to live life now happier than ever before. #familyfirst #itsnotoveryet #thevoice #imstillstanding #support #blessed #kentuckygotme.”

Tom was a single chair turn in the Blind Auditions with Reba the only coach who pressed her button for his countrified performance of Stevie Wonder‘s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).” But Tom went on to make it through both the Battle and Knockout rounds and move into the Playoffs before he quit The Voice.

Tom came to the singing competition from New Hartford, NY, where he served as a New York State Trooper for eight years and now trains new troopers at the New York State Police Academy. Prior to that, he joined the military and was stationed in Germany and deployed to Afghanistan where he sustained injuries and was awarded the Purple Heart.

The Italian/Puerto Rican musician learned to play guitar at age 18 and continued his passion for music after serving in the military by gigging weekly. He has opened for artists such as Craig Campbell, Hunter Hayes and Chris Janson. Aside from his two kids, Tom’s biggest supporters are his mother and grandfather.

The Voice airs Mondays at 8 p.m. PT/ET and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. PT/ET on NBC.