Staff Writer
After Tuesday night’s knockout round on NBC’s “The Voice,” Lorena sophomore Holly Tucker will advance to the next round of competition.
Tucker, a member of Blake Shelton’s team, won in a face-off with Los Angeles native Luke Edgemon during the knockout round.
“The Voice” splits its competitors, who are selected by blind audition, into teams headed by the four judges—Shelton, Shakira, Usher and Adam Levine. With her country music style, Tucker was selected for Shelton’s team.
Tucker made it through the battle rounds, and Tuesday night she sang “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw for her knockout round song. Edgemon sang “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, which gained mixed reviews from the judges for its rhythm and blues take on the pop song.
Back in Waco at the Applebee’s at 614 North Valley Mills Drive, Tucker’s family and friends watched together as she sang for the judges and viewers across the country.
Johnny Tucker, Holly’s father, said some family friends drove hours to attend the watch party.
“These people represent people we have known for years in this community,” Johnny said. “It’s a really huge blessing.”
When the results were announced in Holly Tucker’s favor, the team fans cheered. Johnny said no matter what happens in the weeks to come, her family and friends would support her.
“She has felt a peace inside all the time she has been there because she knows there are people back here supporting her and praying for her,” Johnny said. “I want her to remember that.”
Cheryl Tucker, Holly’s mother, said how proud she is of her daughter and her determination.
“She is representing the state of Texas and Baylor, and I’m just proud of the way she is conducting herself and all she is accomplishing,” Cheryl said.
Of those back home supporting her, her roommate Logan Scandling, a sophomore from Keller, said watching Holly on television is “surreal.”
“The first time they showed her blind audition, I was crying my eyes out,” Scandling said. “I was so proud of her. I hope that as Baylor students we would help her out through voting for her.”
Now that Holly is through to the live performances, it is up to viewers to decide who stays in the competition and who goes home.
Viewers who wish to vote for their favorite contestant on the show may call a toll-free number specific to each contestant, text a vote from a Sprint phone or they can vote online at NBC.com or through the NBC app or Facebook page. Each viewer may vote up to 10 times.
Fans may also purchase their favorite artist’s song on iTunes, giving each contestant one vote per purchase. A contestant’s songs may only count for voting purposes if they are bought during the week in which they were performed.
Voting will be open from 8:55 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday central time after each live show airing.
“The Voice” airs on NBC at 7 p.m. central time Mondays and Tuesdays. The show’s finale is June 18.
