ST. LOUIS — On Thursday, Ruby Leigh made her way home from California after finishing second on this season of "The Voice".
This is the best finish anyone from Missouri has ever had on the show.
Ruby Leigh’s Fanamileigh, as they’re lovingly called, showed up at Lambert International Airport on Thursday to welcome their local superstar home.
“We're so happy for her and so excited," fan and family friend Diane Lynch said. "We know even though she came in second, she's number one with us and we know she's going to go far. She's going to achieve everything she's set up to do and be the queen that she was born to be.”
She’s been a true inspiration for teenagers like Marli Simpkins.
“It's been great to see that somebody just like me can do this. Small-town girls can make it big. And I just think it's great for people to have that inspiration, to do that, to achieve your dreams, no matter where you're from or what background you have,” Simpkins said.
Just as they were there to cheer her on at the beginning of the season with many watch parties, they were there at the end with the same energy.
The Foley, Missouri, 16-year-old said making history on this season of The Voice was truly an amazing experience.
“So much great advice from all the coaches, not just Reba," Ruby Leigh said. "They've all been extremely helpful. And it was just it was really cool. You know, it's an exciting moment. And when Huntly won, I was up there and I was just so happy for him. Like, I wasn't upset. I was genuinely just happy that he won because he's so deserving and such a nice person."
Her dad, Casey Pearson, said his favorite part was watching Ruby shine and grow her many talents.
“To hear the things that the coaches said, not on the show is unbelievable, and to hear the things that the vocal coaches said, you know, the things that she possessed, there's just a handful of people that ever walked the planet that have that kind of vocal control, it is pretty special,” Pearson said.
And as for what’s next, Ruby says she’s only getting started.
“I'm not going to quit doing shows. So a lot of shows and touring and playing new places and seeing new faces. So pretty exciting,” Ruby said.
Ruby said she is hoping to collaborate with other artists soon and possibly even tour Canada in the new year.