Bobby Womack’s Niece And Sam Cooke’s Great-Granddaughter, JaRae, Stuns On ‘The Voice’
On Monday’s episode of The Voice, JaRae Womack delivered a mesmerizing Blind Audition that left coaches Reba McEntire, John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan in awe. Her powerful rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” earned her a coveted four-chair turn, but what the coaches might not have known is that performing runs deep in her family’s blood.
The 35-year-old native of Florida took the stage with charisma and soul, captivating the audience and judges alike. However, before her audition, JaRae shared with the Voice cameras the musical legacy that has shaped her life.
“My grandfather is amazing, he’s Cecil Womack,” she revealed. “He was in a group called The Valentinos, and Sam Cooke kick-started their career. He pursued his own solo career… and then there’s my uncle Bobby Womack, who ventured off and had his own successful solo career. Now, it’s time for JaRae Womack!” She is also the great-granddaughter of Cooke.
JaRae lived up to her family’s musical heritage with her performance, drawing heartfelt praise from all the coaches.
Horan was left in awe, marveling at the way JaRae made the song her own, labeling it a “standout performance.” McEntire touched JaRae’s soul with her comments, and Stefani commended her for infusing the song with emotion, describing it as “powerful” and a genuine expression of the heart.
Legend nearly moved JaRae to tears with his effusive compliments. He spoke of the authenticity and passion in her performance, emphasizing that soulful singing transcends genres. He recognized that JaRae truly owned the song, living and speaking through her music.
In the end, it was Legend’s heartfelt pitch that swayed JaRae to join Team Legend, setting the stage for an exciting journey on The Voice.
As the season progresses, the competition will steepen as they strive to guide their chosen talents to victory. The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. PT/ET on NBC.