The Playoffs on The Voice are in full swing, and the live shows are right around the corner. During the November 27 edition of the Playoffs, Reba McEntire was without one of her singers. Tom Nitti left the show unexpectedly.
“I have wonderfully talented people, but Tom had to leave for personal reasons, so I only have five artists tonight,” Reba said on the show. Nothing else was said about Tom’s exit from The Voice season 24.
A day after the episode aired, Tom posted a long message on Instagram addressing his departure. “Well, I’ve been dreading this day ever since the blind audition so here goes nothin’. …First and foremost I’m blessed beyond belief and I can’t say enough how much I love and appreciate the constant support from my fans, my friends and my family,” his message began. “As much as it absolutely stings to say, I had to make probably one of the hardest yet easiest decisions ever and ultimately at the end of the day, my kids will always come first and if I had to make the same decision again I’d do it over and over.”
The singer wrote that this “past summer was filled to the max with everything I love and could’ve only dreamed of and Thanks to @nbcthevoice I was able to live my wildest dreams and do what I’ve always hoped. I made friends that’ll last a life time, experiences that I can hold on to forever and even found REAL and TRUE love (@ashleybryantofficial)….”
Tom went on to thank several singers, as well as Reba, who helped him over the last several months. “I hope everyone knows how happy and grateful i am for them. This isn’t the end of me and I’ll do what I do best for everyone to see which is keep my head down and move forward playing music and raising/creating new memories with a family I will continue to grow. I never believed in the whole, things happen for a reason statement but in this case I think God has it all figured out. He knows I don’t break easily. For everyone asking, I’m alright and still standing.”
For his Blind Audition, Tom performed a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).” Reba was the only one to turn her red chair for Tom, but he continued to be a presence as the competition continued. The final round of the Playoffs will air on November 28. The season 24 live shows will begin December 4 on NBC.