PORTLAND, Oregon — A singer from North Plains, Oregon, is among the top five finalists of NBC's "The Voice." Jacquie Roar earned the final spot after voters selected her as the "instant save" winner following performances Tuesday night.
Roar owned up to her name, drawing big cheers from the studio audience while she belted "Alone" by the classic rock band Heart. Her performance caused her coach, Reba McEntire, to get out of her chair and stand in an ovation before the song was finished.
"If America doesn't vote you through, I don't know what to think," McEntire said after Roar's performance. "You're good, you're professional, you are a star."
Roar is vying for the winner spot against finalists Mara Justine, Huntley, Lila Forde and Ruby Leigh.
She thanked everyone who voted for her in an Instagram Story Wednesday morning. She also gave a shout-out to her fellow finalists.
"I have mad respect for the top five. Any one of us could win and any one of us deserves to win," she said in the video.
In late October, Roar spoke with KGW Sunrise anchor Christine Pitawanich about the competition. She called it a "whirlwind" experience and reflected on the first time she stepped onto the national stage.
"I was pretty emotional. Coming out the doors, I first saw my daughter, so it made me almost cry, and I was like, 'I got to suck those up and get on that stage and kill it,' she said. "I feel like every time I’m entering the room and getting on that stage, it’s the same jitters, but once I start singing, they just leave and I’m like, 'This is where I belong.'"
She also thanked local fans including those in North Plains for showing their support.
“I’m really proud of my Oregonians. They’ve really showed up for support," Roar said. "I didn’t think that they would, being a country music rock artist — there’s not a huge market for it in Oregon, but I guess I was wrong."
"The Voice" is in its 24th season. The champion will be crowned during the season finale, which is scheduled to air on Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. PT on NBC.
