The Voice: John Legend gets choked up while praising Lila Forde as top nine perform during semifinals on NBC

John Legend was emotional while talking about Lila Ford on Monday’s episode of The Voice as the top nine performed during the semi-finals on NBC.

The 44-year-old coach praised Lila, 24, from Seattle, after she ended the two-hour show with a stirring rendition of Joni Mitchell’s River.

The semi-final episode featured the top nine singers performing a song chosen by fans, as well as a trio performing a Taylor Swift song.

Leela’s fans clamored for her to perform the Joni Mitchell song, and she delivered, trying to earn a spot on the season 24 finale.

The singer said her biggest fans were her mom and dad, who lead a meditation retreat in Washington.

“America fell in love with Lila because she is a true artist. She’s a real musician,” John said during rehearsal.

He told Leela she sounded “great” and said he wanted her to make it to the finals.

Lila said she felt comfortable around John and admitted that she had mentors in the past who put her down.

“It means so much to be where I am now and to have that person tell me that I’m enough and that gives me the confidence to know that I’m good enough to make it to the finals. I know I’m good enough to win this case. It’s like it changed my life,” Leela said.

Lila earned a standing ovation from the coaches, and host Carson Daly, 50, asked new coach Reba McEntire, 68, about her reaction.

“You must feel so good after this performance and I feel for those people who said you don’t have what it takes. Wow. “I’m glad you didn’t listen to them because you’re so good,” Reba said.

Reba told Lila that she touched their hearts.

“People can sing, but there are people who can sing with their hearts, and you can, Lila.” “You’re so good,” Reba added.

Carson then went to John to get his opinion on his singer Lila.

“Lila, oh my God,” John said.

“You’re lucky, John,” said trainer Niall Horan, 30.

‘Oh my God. You stopped the show again. You’ve made it your own show again. And he had so much wisdom, heart, integrity, musicality and beauty. It was amazing. I really liked it,” John said, standing up, his voice shaking with emotion.

“Choke, John Legend,” Carson said.

The two-hour live show opened with 16-year-old Reba’s Ruby Lee singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” at the request of fans.

Singer Nyla Huntley then teamed up with Mac Royals and Leela to perform Taylor Swift’s Exile.

Singer Gwen Stefani’s Bias performed Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road” in his fan-chosen performance.

Jackie Roar, 38, of North Plains, Oregon, took on Sia’s Alive, and her trainer Reba said afterward that she was “the complete package.”

Reba singer Jordan Reiner, 33, of Atoka, Oklahoma, after winning a snap save on former The Voice coach Blake Shelton’s Ol’ Red.

Jacqui, Mara Justine and four-chair singer Nini Iris teamed up to perform Taylor’s “Don’t Blame Me” from her 2017 album Reputation.

Huntley, 33, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, for his fan-selected song to Kaleo’s “Way Down We Go.”

Mara, 21, from Galloway, New Jersey, performed “Parachute” by Chris Stapleton.

Ruby, Bias and Jordan then teamed up for a unique rendition of Taylor’s song from her 2010 album Speak Now.

Singer Jonah Mac, 31, from Wrightsville, Arkansas, was the only remaining R&B artist, and he performed Love TKO.

Georgia native and Brooklyn-based Nini, 27, earned her fan-voted song with a powerful cover of Billie Eilish’s “No Time To Die.”

Gwen, 54, told Nini she was “blown away” by her performance and told Nini she was “so gifted and amazing.”

The Voice returns on Tuesday with performances from Niall and John, with the results of the audience voting announced as the field is narrowed down to the final five.