Rob Cole delivered an unforgettable performance of Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” during The Voice Season 28 Playoffs.
The moment began in complete darkness, with only Cole’s voice cutting through the silence as he gently plucked his acoustic guitar. The lights slowly rose to reveal an image of a single hourglass shining behind the member of Team Bublé, representing the powerful message that encourages listeners to live life to the fullest even when times get tough because time is fleeting.
As soon as Cole stepped up to the mic and sang his heart out, the energy felt calm, still and filled with heavy emotions as the audience took in every word of the hit song from Womack’s 2000 album of the same name. His voice was tender yet strong, further proving how much meaning the Grammy winning track holds for him as a father who wants nothing but the best for his children.
That emotional depth is exactly what Cole hoped to bring to this performance when he claimed this song.
“I had the most vivid dream and I was singing, ‘I Hope You Dance.’ And I woke up the next morning singing the song and then you called. You said, ‘Hey, I think I’ve got the song. Lee Ann Womack,’” he recalled. “As soon as you said that…I was like, that’s crazy. Singing this song feels meant to be. It very much describes where I’m at in life as a father. I want to be that dad that pushes my kids to dream, to go out on the edge to go for it.”
Reba McEntire, along with the rest of the coaches, was clearly moved. She told him, “It touched my heart. You just take a real soft song like that and just make it better. Great job.”
Snoop Dogg jokingly added, “I’m over here sweet on you, Rob.” He then turned to Cole’s coach, telling him, “Michael Bublé, this is somebody that I would take to the studio and make a real record with because he’s got superstar potential. Great job Rob.”
Coach Michael Bublé then took a moment to reflect on the strength of his team and the tremendous performances he saw that night that made his next decision that much more difficult.
“Rob was flawless tonight. He truly knows how to touch hearts. Jazz, for me, I think it’s very rare to hear a voice that perfect. Trinity always looks like she was meant to be on that Grammy stage. I’m ambitious and in the quest to threepeat, there’s going to be a tough decision, but I’m going to have to put my faith in America that they’ll help me in bringing a couple of my people to the finals.”
Season 28 of The Voice is officially getting down to the wire. During the playoffs round, each coach can only pick one artist to send through to represent them in the Live Finale. This week’s episode highlighted each of the four contestants from McEntire and Bublé’s respective teams. Then the coaches were met with the difficult task of choosing one hopeful act to advance.
Rob Cole’s performance was unfortunately not enough to convince Bublé to select him. He instead chose Jazz McKenzie, however Cole still has a chance to move onto the finals through an audience vote, which closes on December 2.
Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg take on their playoff rounds next week and then head into the Live Finale, where viewers will vote for the winner. The finale unfolds over two nights, airing December 15 and 16, 2025, on NBC.
