‘The Voice’ fans disappointed as Reba McEntire’s decision sends Creigh Riepe home on Night 3 of Battles

Reba McEntire beat Gwen Stefani to get Creigh Riepe on her team during his blind audition (NBC, Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Reba McEntire is receiving the ire of ‘The Voice’ fans over her decision to send Creigh Riepe home during Night Three of the Battles.

‘The Voice’ Season 26 is in full swing with fierce competition brewing between the contestants. During the second Battle between the contestants of Team Reba, Coach McEntire paired four-chair turn recipient Lauren-Michael Sellers with two-chair turn recipient Riepe.

She selected the ballad ‘You Will Be Found’ from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ for her performers to sing on stage. Though the two competitors performed melodiously, one of them had to be eliminated. McEntire, after a tough decision, chose Sellers over Riepe.

‘The Voice’ coaches find it hard to choose between Lauren-Michael Sellers and Creigh Riepe

After putting Lauren-Michael Sellers against Creigh Riepe, Reba McEntire called it a perfect pairing. She said during the rehearsals, “What I loved about Creigh’s voice… he has a great range. It’s not harsh, it’s not too sweet. It’s just right,” as per NBC.

The “Queen of Country” added, “Lauren-Michael’s voice, it’s round, it’s good, it’s emotional, it’s got power. I love her voice.”

The Sellers vs Riepe Battle wrought havoc among the coaches as expected. Coach Gwen Stefani, outright declared that she was unable to choose a winner between the two, saying, “It’s a crazy Battle. I kept bouncing back and forth between who’s winning, and I really didn’t get anywhere by the end.”

“Your voices complemented each other so well. It looked like you had such a vibe up there together,” further said the ‘Just a Girl’ crooner.

Coach Michael Buble, too, praised the two contestants for their vocal range, saying, “There are things about either of you that would make me lean towards either one, but on a show called The Voice, both of you have the voice.”

It was, however, Coach Snoop Dogg, who reminded McEntire to choose a winner between the two.

McEntire started by praising her two singers. She said, “Lauren-Michael, when you sing, you’ve got a ferocious ferocity, determined, like I know where I’m going, and that’s where I’m gonna land.”

She had some praises for Riepe as well, and added, “And Creigh, you could have been a Beach Boy. That’s the way I see you. You’re having fun onstage, and you’re so alive, so this is why it was the perfect duet.”

However, as it was a competition to the Knockouts, McEntire chose Sellers to proceed forward.

The 69-year-old explained, “I liked everything about her. You want to hear somebody that gives you joy. I think the women watching this show will really fall in love with her.”

“I mean she could be the lady that just lives down the road from you, and she can sing so well, and it just really hit me hard,” further shared McEntire.

‘The Voice’ viewers aren’t happy with Reba McEntire’s decision

While Reba McEntire explained why she chose to save Lauren-Michael Sellers, those who admired Creigh Riepe were not happy with the outcome. Many took to the internet to voice their displeasure about McEntire’s decision.

One wrote, “Not sure how you let Creigh go. Don’t agree,” and another said, “They did CREIGH WRONG he got robbed… HIS TONE…. Like REALLY REBA 😭😭.”

“@Reba I disagree with this choice my dear. Creigh was so much better and more marketable!!!” remarked a person, while someone else exclaimed, “Cannot believe you let Creigh go!!!!”

“You made the wrong choice,” noted one more, with another viewer writing, “#Creigh has such a gorgeous voice! I expected him to go far this season. So sad to see him go.”