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Lincoln County community believes 16-year-old Ruby Leigh can make it to the top on 'The Voice'

"They say she's the biggest thing that's hit Lincoln County!" Terri Pearson, Ruby's mom, said.

FOLEY, Mo. — Raving over Ruby Leigh in Lincoln County, Missouri. 

Fans were in Foley, Missouri, Monday morning, which is Ruby's hometown. It's about an hour away from downtown St. Louis.

Multiple messages were made, as supporters stood near the "Vote for Ruby" sign.

Credit: KSDK

"You're talking about a very, very small town," Rhonda Howes, her aunt, said. 

And they said Ruby's voice is larger than life.

Howes remembers Ruby singing as a little girl.

"My granddaughter was having a birthday party. We are doing cupcakes and we heard the karaoke machine downstairs, someone starts singing," Howes said. "We go down there and here she is seven or eight and she's singing away ... and she hasn’t stopped."

Another supporter Pamela Bowmon said, "Girl, I told you from the beginning when you opened your mouth, you were going to make it big!"

So big, she's made it to the final nine on "The Voice."

For those who know her, they aren't surprised by her success.

Terri Welker said, "Ruby has a heart of gold and I love her to pieces."

Miss Missouri Senior America wants the teen to continue shining.

"I taught school choir for 40 years and boy, do I know talent and girl you got it! You let your crown shine, we are rooting for you here in Missouri!" Christy Wilson-Smith shared. 

While everyone reminded Ruby of her roots, there weren't bigger fans than her mom and sister in the crowd. 

Ruby's mom Terri Pearson said, "They say she's the biggest thing that's hit Lincoln County! She taught herself to sing when she was nine, she's never had lessons and to have her go this far is unreal."

Her sister Sandra Pearson acknowledged the amazing moment. 

"It would be cool to show them you can come from a small town with not much opportunities and you can make something of yourself," Pearson added.

Soon, some people made the hour ride from Foley to Marthasville.

A watch party was at Cori's Twin Gables to witness Ruby perform in the semi-finals.

Terri Pearson explained, "Cori from Cori's Twin Gables hired her at 12-years-old for her Friday night entertainment. That should tell you something!"

Ruby sang a song picked by fans: 'Take me home, country roads'.

The message in the song hits close to home.

"I think she channeled the Foley roots there. Small town, dirt roads, I think she had a blast up there, it looked like it!" Ruby's sister said. 

Reba McEntire said Ruby 'did everything to perfection'. 

Following Ruby's performance, fans will again be able to lock in their vote to save her. Here's how, according to NBC:

  • To vote, you'll need to set up an NBCUniversal Profile online or using the "The Voice" Official App.
  • Once you have created an account, you can sign in and vote via nbc.com/voicevote or "The Voice" Official App during the show. All votes must be cast during the designated voting window.
  • To lock in your vote, simply click on the artist's photo you wish to vote for and select "submit vote." You can change your vote anytime until the voting window closes.                       

On Tuesday night, the artists that received the fewest votes will compete for the "Instant Save." The five surviving artists will advance to the live finale next Monday. The season's winning artist will receive a recording contract.

"The Voice" airs at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC. Stream it the next day on Peacock.

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