Kirbi, a singer from Florence, Alabama, delivered a blind‑audition moment that instantly put her in The Voice Season 28 conversation. Less than 30 seconds into her rendition of “God Only Knows” by For King & Country, two chairs turned, and the other two followed in quick succession. On Tuesday night (September 30, 2025), the coaches—Niall Horan, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg—were all on their feet for the artist from the Muscle Shoals orbit.
As the cameras cut from the stage to the spinning chairs, Niall Horan made the case that would ultimately win the day: We wait all day for voices like yours. This is absolutely incredible. From second one, I was all in.
Kirbi smiled, took the cheers in stride, and listened as each coach mapped out a path forward.
How the 4‑Chair Turn Unfolded
The sequence began with Horan and Bublé, who reacted first to the range and poise in the opening verse. Reba and Snoop hit their buttons moments later, sealing the four‑chair turn. Michael Bublé praised the control on the sustained notes and the lift into the chorus; Reba McEntire focused on presence and polish, telling the Florence singer, You’ve got the whole package… we’re so proud to have you here.
Snoop Dogg spoke directly to character and conviction: The music that you chose and the way that you stand on your faith is beautiful… No matter what team you pick, you’re part of a real family.
After the pitches, the Florence native chose Team Niall. Horan’s reaction—equal parts relief and excitement—fit the moment. He had been “all in” from the first run and now had the season’s late‑episode closer anchoring his roster.
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Song Choice, Stagecraft, and Setting
Choosing “God Only Knows” let the vocalist show texture on the verses and open up on the money notes. The camera staging emphasized that arc: tight shots at first, then wider frames as the chorus bloomed. The episode credit identified the hour as The Blind Auditions Part 4 (Episode 2804), with stills credited to Griffin Nagel / NBC. The stage itself—shot at Universal Studios—was dark blues and violets during the first pass at the chorus, then brightened for the button before the cut to the coaches’ pitches.
Between the stage and the interviews, the segment also underscored roots. Kirbi explained the stakes plainly: If a chair turned for me, it would absolutely change my life… I want this opportunity to prove myself… that I do have what it takes.
The flourish of the four‑chair turn delivered that pivot in real time.
From Florence to Nashville: Recent Work
Since 2023, the singer has worked to build a name in Nashville, releasing two singles and logging studio time as a featured vocalist. Recent credits include projects with Black River Entertainment and collaborations with producer‑songwriter Tommy Sims. On the live side, she has performed vocals alongside big‑stage names, including Jelly Roll, while continuing to refine original material between sessions and shows.
Coach‑by‑Coach Pitches (and Why Team Niall Made Sense)
- Niall Horan went first and emphasized instinct. His pitch hinged on tone and storytelling—
absolutely incredible
and “from second one.” The focus was future song picks, dynamics, and how to scale from intimate lines to arena‑ready moments. - Michael Bublé underscored breath and phrasing, leaning on years of bandstand experience to talk about space, support, and control through the chorus lift.
- Reba McEntire blended mentorship and showcraft. Her “whole package” assessment placed equal weight on poise, look, and delivery.
- Snoop Dogg connected values to performance. His message—“you’re part of a real family”—framed the show as community as much as contest.
The choice of Team Niall tracks with the performance: the audition mixed pop clarity with country‑gospel lift, a sweet spot Horan has coached successfully. With a four‑chair artist now on his board, he adds a flexible vocalist who can flow from ballad storytelling to uptempo, harmony‑rich arrangements.
Contestant Breakdown (Names, Hometowns, Notables from This Episode)
- Kirbi — hometown: Florence, Alabama; audition song: “God Only Knows” (For King & Country); outcome: four‑chair turn; team: Team Niall.
- Jazz McKenzie — hometown: Birmingham, Alabama; also earned a four‑chair turn earlier this season before joining Team Reba.
Both Alabama artists now advance to the next phase, setting up a possible in‑season comparison once the Battles begin.
Where the Season Stands (Schedule & What’s Next)
Tuesday night marked the fourth of six blind‑audition episodes this season. The road ahead is set, with dates provided in the broadcast notes:
- Blind Auditions: Oct. 6 + 7
- Battles: Oct. 13, 14, 20
- Knockouts: TBA
- Playoffs: TBA
- Live shows: TBA
With Team rosters filling fast, the next checkpoint is Battles week, when two artists share a song and only one advances unless a steal or save is used. That is where technique and arrangement choices matter most, and where a singer like Kirbi—who can carry both hushed phrasing and climactic peaks—can separate.
Why This Audition Resonated
The reaction hinged on three elements. First, the tone: a rounded mid‑range that never thinned on the climb. Second, the build: patience on verse one, a measured swell into the first chorus, then a bigger second‑pass lift without pushing sharp. Third, the message: a faith‑forward lyric delivered without affectation.
Layer in the backstory—2023 move to Nashville, two singles, work with Black River Entertainment and Tommy Sims, features with Jelly Roll—and the performance reads as a culmination rather than a fluke. The four chairs, the pitches, and the Team Niall decision all point to a battle‑ready artist with headroom for the Knockouts and beyond.
Bottom Line
The Voice loves late‑hour closers that feel inevitable. On September 30, 2025, Kirbi gave one. The coaches used phrases like absolutely incredible
and celebrated “from second one.” The audience met the moment with a roar. And the Florence singer—who has been building toward this since 2023—walked off the stage as the newest member of Team Niall.
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