‘The Voice’ Recap: Niall Horan Drops the ‘Mic’ After Dramatic 50-50 Knockout Decision

The Knockouts continued on The Voice Season 28 on Monday, November 10, 2025, with another night of high-stakes performances and emotional eliminations. Coaches Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé, and Snoop Dogg faced tough calls as they trimmed their teams ahead of the Playoffs. The night’s most talked-about moment came when Niall hit the “Mic Drop” button — giving one act a direct path to the Rose Parade stage.

With “mega mentors” Joe Walsh and Zac Brown guiding the contestants, each performance felt like a defining moment in the competition. This marked one of the last rounds before the final Playoffs lineup, with no saves or steals left in play. Only raw talent and coach instinct decided who would move forward.

DEK of Hearts Earns Niall’s ‘Mic Drop’ After Stunning Showdown

The standout battle of the night featured DEK of Hearts against Kayleigh Clark from Team Niall. Kayleigh delivered a classic rendition of “Blue” by LeAnn Rimes, while DEK of Hearts countered with a soulful performance of “What If I Never Get Over You” by Lady A. Both earned high praise from all four coaches — a rare occurrence even in knockout rounds.

Joe Walsh advised Kayleigh to “breathe through the high notes,” while encouraging DEK of Hearts to enjoy the moment. Reba McEntire praised Kayleigh’s flawless yodels and DEK’s harmonies, while Snoop Dogg called their sound “magic.” Niall Horan admitted he was torn, calling it a true “50-50” decision before making his most dramatic move of the night — dropping his mic and selecting DEK of Hearts for the Rose Parade spotlight.

This was the first time this season that Niall used his “Mic Drop,” a new feature that gives one artist per team an audience-voted performance slot at the 2026 Rose Parade. The crowd reaction made it one of the most memorable knockout moments in recent Voice history.

Jack Austin, Trinity
Griffin Nagel/NBC

Other Knockout Highlights from ‘The Voice’ Season 28

Team Reba’s Ryan Mitchell edged out Conrad Khalil after powerful performances of “Zombie” and “Closer,” respectively. Judges praised Ryan’s emotional control and vocal growth, earning him another week under Reba’s mentorship.

On Team Bublé, Rob Cole delivered a breakout moment with his performance of “Wondering Why,” winning over both the audience and Michael Bublé. His teammate Marty O’Reilly impressed with grit and heart on “The Letter,” but Bublé ultimately favored Rob’s storytelling power. Later, Trinity advanced after singing Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” proving her soulful range.

By the end of the night, Michael Bublé’s team was rounded out with Jazz McKenzie, Max Chambers, Rob Cole, Teo Ramdel, and Trinity — setting the stage for a powerhouse Playoff roster.

Updated Team Lineups After Knockouts Night 3

Team Bublé: Jazz McKenzie, Max Chambers, Rob Cole, Teo Ramdel, Trinity
Team Reba: Aaron Nichols, Aubrey Nicole, Austin Gilbert, Cori Kennedy, Peyton Kyle, Ryan Mitchell
Team Niall: Aiden Ross, Ava Nat, DEK of Hearts, Dustin Dale Gaspard, Kirbi
Team Snoop: Carolina Rodriguez, Lauren Anderson, Mindy Miller, Ralph Edwards, Toni Lorene, Yoshihanaa

With only a few episodes left before the Playoffs, competition on The Voice Season 28 is intensifying. DEK of Hearts’ “Mic Drop” moment could signal a major momentum shift — and fans are already debating whether Niall made the right call.

The Voice airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who did Niall Horan choose for the ‘Mic Drop’ on The Voice?

Niall selected DEK of Hearts for the Mic Drop after their knockout performance against Kayleigh Clark.

Q2: What does the ‘Mic Drop’ mean on The Voice?

The Mic Drop gives one artist per team a chance to perform at the Rose Parade, with the audience voting for the final winner.

Q3: Who are the current coaches on The Voice Season 28?

The Season 28 coaches are Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé.

Q4: When will The Voice Playoffs begin?

The Playoffs are expected to begin later in November 2025 after the Knockouts conclude.

Q5: Who were the mega mentors for this week’s episode?

Joe Walsh and Zac Brown served as mega mentors for the Knockouts on November 10, 2025.