The Voice: Ruby Leigh on Being the Runner Up, Reba McEntire and CAREER PLANS! (Exclusive)

Ruby Leigh chats with ET's Deidre Behar after 'The Voice’s two-part season 24 finale, which aired Monday and Tuesday on NBC. The singer reacts to being the season's runner up and praises the winner, Huntley. Ruby also opens up about introducing her family to her coach, Reba McEntire, and shares an update on her friendship with fellow Team Reba contestant Tom Nitti, who exited the competition early due to a personal family matter. Plus, Ruby geeks out over coach Niall Horan, whom she’s a longtime fan of, and shares the kind words he said to her.

[@barbarapietrzak6866]

When you look and the number of views and likes of Ruby and then look at the other 4 contestants views and likes…it just doesn’t add up, but there is no changing the results. I wish you the best Ruby, keep your music going and you will have opportunities after being on the Voice - you’re a household name now!

[@ariici]

What are you talking about???? Huntley has 15k and this has 5k you clearly don’t know what you are talking about

[@stripescarrotinsuspender2721]

It isn't about the likes and views, america voted for Huntley! You can't do anything or change anything about it! #HuntleyTheVoiceOfSeason24

[@thebiscuitscraps]

1

[@hmtr1228]

Nini Iris had more views and likes Same thing with Ryley Tate last year

[@ariici]

@@hmtr1228 nini wasnt a finalist

[@Wyn50]

While I thought Ruby might win I think not winning isn’t going to hold her back. She’s a star ⭐️

[@allkindsamusicchick]

Right.

[@robertnoble6600]

No question about it.

[@vickycherry3901]

Ruby has a great career ahead of her.

[@allkindsamusicchick]

How is it, that she did not win??? I mean....really???!!!!! She stood out among all of the other contenders, IMO!!!

[@chrisnoziere2893]

Niall is lucky that Blake and Kelly didn’t return he would’ve never won the voice again! Only Adam Blake and Kelly won the voice more than once. Niall only broke that cycle because they both of them didn’t return! Why do think after John won his first season he hasn’t won Blake and Kelly made sure of that!

[@robertnoble6600]

How did she not win? Niall has a big following of little girls and chicks that vote for him not the contestants. That’s how she lost. Ruby is 20 times the more talented singer and musician than Huntley will ever be. So the results were a joke. In less than a year Ruby will be a star. And nobody will remember who Huntley is. That’s what’s going to happen.

[@NannaV66]

So how do you work that out? Niall is an excellent performer/coach in his own right, with a huge following of fans. Just because you think Huntley was the wrong choice doesn't make you right - obviously, as the voting proves

[@allkindsamusicchick]

@@robertnoble6600 WOW! That's a little harsh. I don't wish the winner any less, however, I have heard that voice-type....over and over again, throughout the years. I have been following music my whole life, and....Ruby....has got something very special. Hmm....I think I understand why she didn't win, if what you've presented is how it truly works. Never crossed my mind. I wish the winner well, but felt bad for Ruby. Clearly....she shines. She held her composure very well, though.

[@robertnoble6600]

@@allkindsamusicchick Yeah she (Ruby) is a class act. And trust me she knew why she lost. They all know of Niall’s following. John even hinted at during one of the shows.

[@joycehartzell8327]

Ruby was the voice this year! She could yodel, had a cry in her voice, could sing high and low. No one else could do any of that. She should have won.

[@SlverNexus]

So proud of how far you’ve come Ruby! Love hearing you sing

[@sharonmogliotti860]

Enjoy you win Ruby. You deserve it. Listen to Queen Reba and stay true to yourself as she has over 50 years. Best of luck on your musical entertainment journey. You’re awesome and will go far. Keep it up. Looking forward to seeing you with Reba again in the future. She’s the best too and will always give you the best advice. Good luck.

[@catwhisperer9489]

"over 50 years" Actually, she hasn't been in the business, quite 50 years, yet---it'll be her 50th anniversary, in 2025. Don't want to make the ol' girl, older than she is!!! LOL

[@tcurry2512]

Ruby is so articulate, poised and grounded. I'm so impressed with her. The world is your oyster, Ruby.

[@joycecatania3655]

Great job Ruby! You will do so well moving forward. This season was outstanding and can’t wait to hear more music.❤❤❤

[@JD-iv4jt]

We love you Ruby you are the real deal.

[@joannaaguilar4961]

Can't wait to hear ruby's new single next year I'm disappointed that she didn't win, but I'm glad she and Reba are emailing each other

[@mermaidundertheboat]

Ruby your amazing. Never stop singing. We love you

[@catwhisperer9489]

Awww, this just makes me love her, even more!!! What 16-year old could handle themselves, this well, with someone asking them a ton of questions?? I wanna be like you, when I grow-up, Ruby Leigh !!! ❤ (I'm well-past 60!! LOL)

[@ninabarnard5866]

Ruby, you have such a long successful career ahead of you. Keep on being a blessing to others using your God given talent. Loved all your performances.

[@shallanamcnab8914]

Congratulation ruby on your second place i am happy for you i am glad you made it so far i hope you make new music 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@objectionhearsay2415]

Can’t wait to buy your first Album 💿

[@jamespellicore9982]

Ruby was the best. I wish she would have won. She will do great things I’m sure. I’m sure she will one day win Grammys.

[@pearlsofarrow]

Ruby Leigh shows such class. Proves, as so often if one pays attention, it doesn't come with money, formal education, or any system. It just is a pleasure to watch her grown in such good ways.

[@mindfullymellow2323]

This talented girl has an old soul; very poised for only 16.

[@CaitlinMarieFraze]

Team Reba forever

[@doreenpainchaud1644]

Ruby should have won but I think some people vote for the judges they like and not the contestants, good luck Ruby you are on your way , 👏👏👏😘

[@sharke.julian8031]

Ruby Leigh coming in second place is better then winning. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I never watched The Voice or American Idol but I saw a clip of Ruby on TikTok and I voted for her based on the clips I saw. Still haven’t watch those shows, but I think people will make Ruby Leigh a next new country musician. For 16 she’ll go far. Who won again, I don’t remember?🤔. Homeschooled….great parents!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Kira36k]

I definitely thought she actually had the voice and should have won The Voice. She's very unique and has a Powerhouse voice

[@xilefleclerc8773]

Ruba The Great

[@catwhisperer9489]

Clever---I see what you did, there!!! ❤

[@juliemorris1190]

Have fun Ruby🤗💖

[@crossoverbunchshow8793]

She’s supposed to be the winner not runner up

[@chrisnoziere2893]

Niall is lucky that Blake and Kelly didn’t return he would’ve never won the voice again! Only Adam Blake and Kelly won the voice more than once. Niall only broke that cycle because they both of them didn’t return! Why do think after John won his first season he hasn’t won Blake and Kelly made sure of that!

[@user-jf7ho5fg5n]

She has God sent voice.Ruby should have won. Just hang on girl your day is coming.

[@c12ors]

Need your album ASAP

[@allkindsamusicchick]

She will have some kind of career, no doubt, however, SHE should have WON!!! Nope...it certainly does NOT make sense. That VOICE....and what a pretty girl!!! Go Ruby!!!

[@bonniejorgenson6677]

You will be on the opry before you know it! Not being a winner doesnt mean you wont go far..and maybe better then if you won..it will happen! MERRY CHRISTMAS ❤ 😊

[@suefraser150]

Ruby Leigh should've won!!! She got robbed!! She was far the best one!!! Love ya Ruby!!! 🐾🐾🐈🐈❄⛄☃🎄💖💖🤠

[@ms.bonilla8059]

Spankings at 16 yrs old? I hope it was just a figure of speach. She did awesome.

[@franginty4121]

She should have won, but not winning could be a blessing to her! Reba will help her for sure!

[@NannaV66]

There are always winners and losers. It's called Life.

[@lauraschulz5153]

Wouldn't it be cool if Wynonna invited her on tour?

[@doreenothieno880]

Ruby should have won but alas, we take the good and press on

[@lisaammoms261]

I thought she would win but the runner up tends to do better than the winner!!

[@joycehartzell8327]

Ruby Leigh blew Huntley away and I think even Huntley knew it. You can’t trust anything on TV.

[@kanderson2145]

Huntley’s pigtails gross me out.

[@karenabbott104]

Also when he wore the man bun

[@rayromero4228]

They screwed her over w the song choices; she could have done some Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Lorrie Morgan she has the classic voice they didn't put much thought of effort into her song choices after she did Blue which was great she was starting to lose herself and her style & sound that got her there. None of the other songs really showcased her voice.

[@mhart78676]

Long long Time was really good but the others not so much.

[@karenabbott104]

Agree that Ruby was put on the back burner with not the best song choices for HER toward the end!

[@billcarr5306]

He was good but I thought she should have one plus I don’t like his pigtails looks terrible.

[@JustMe-mh2pn]

Sorry, but in my opinion she should have won that!

[@boogerlui]

lol Reba didn’t even do interviews with her. Niall did them with Huntley. Reba is not going to keep in touch at all

[@catwhisperer9489]

Maybe Reba was there, but hung-back, so as not to steal Ruby's thunder!!! If Reba says she'll continue to help her out, I believe she will---Reba is very mothering---Reba told Kelly Clarkson the same thing, and kept her word !!

[@catwhisperer9489]

@@BlessedMom0506 : Firstly, Reba has forgotten the words, lots of times---she even told a story, on this show, during rehearsals, how she started a song on the second verse. I've seen her mess-up, a few times; but, she always owns it !!! As for the duet with Dolly, I guess you're talkin' about, on CMT Giants; if you are, it was DOLLY who messed-up the words, NOT Reba, and Dolly giggled!!! As I said in my post, right above yours, I believe Reba WILL help Ruby out, because Reba told Kelly Clarkson the same thing, when she first met her, on AI, and she kept her word; Kelly has thanked Reba, many times, for her help. I don't know why you think Reba treated Ruby badly, the last couple of weeks, because Reba told her time and again, that she loved her, and was proud of her, and posted a vid, on SM, saying vote for Ruby---and even told Ruby she loved her family, and gave her dad, a big hug!!! If you're referring to Ruby's last couple of songs, Ruby picked those---I'm almost positive Ruby has picked every one of the songs, she sang---she spoke, twice, about how she picked whatever songs, and then at the start of rehearsal, Reba asked her, every time, what song Ruby was gonna sing; if Reba had picked it, she wouldn't have had to ask. Reba is sorta known for mothering everybody (even a girl on another team, called her "momma bear"), and showin' them the ropes---more than one person has called her the mother of Country music, because she is known to take care of the young'ins, because, as Reba has said, she's had people helpin' her, along the way.

[@chrisnoziere2893]

Niall is lucky that Blake and Kelly didn’t return he would’ve never won the voice again! Only Adam Blake and Kelly won the voice more than once. Niall only broke that cycle because they both of them didn’t return! Why do think after John won his first season he hasn’t won Blake and Kelly made sure of that!

[@marthalisk303]

Well, the coaches don't win, the contestants do~so there's that!