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Ruby Leigh Shares Untold Stories From The Voice
204 Plays2 years ago
Tune in as Ruby Leigh bares her soul, revealing the raw emotions and untold stories that shaped her unforgettable journey on The Voice. Ruby's revelations will leave listeners on the edge of their seats, from her jaw-dropping encounter with industry legends Reba McEntire and Wynonna Judd to the heart-pounding moments before stepping onto the stage. She tells all while looking great and sharing her passion for Western-style and country music. For a full episode transcript, visit our website HERE.
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Transcript
Ruby Lee's Challenging Childhood
00:00:00
Speaker
You know, it was just like, it was such a hard time. We lost like everything. Like it got to the point where we were living on ramen noodles for like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So it was like a really, really hard time. I was almost four. And it's so weird because like those traumatic things, like we'll stick with you.
Introduction of the Podcast and Guest
00:00:16
Speaker
Hey everybody, thanks for joining us on another episode of the Kick Your Boots Up podcast. We're so excited to be here with Ruby Lee. We got to learn more about her, but before we do, don't forget to hit the like, subscribe and share button. Share with all your friends. Tell us, tell them where and when, tell us where and when you heard this episode. Be sure to give us some feedback too. We want to hear from you.
Achievements and Early Singing Career
00:00:35
Speaker
This girl needs no introduction. Her reputation precedes her. She's so young but has such a good just degree of information. She's a wealth of so many titles. You've done so many things starting at the age of, I mean, oh my goodness, six. I mean, as soon as you could start singing, you were singing. So I'm just going to go through a little bit of some of the things that she got to do recently.
Experience on The Voice
00:00:57
Speaker
She was on season 24 of The Voice on Team Reba, which you guys know is one of our girls as well. We love Reba. We love everything she does, including the line that we have here at Justin. So that's a really cool tie in as well. She's from Foley, Missouri, which I thought had 96 people, but you said it's.
00:01:13
Speaker
68. 68 people, a small tiny town. I love the humor that her and her sister have about it all. And the biggest thing to note here is Ruby Lee is 16 years old. So Ruby Lee, thank you for being here. We appreciate you taking the time before your show to get to know us a little bit better and for us to get to know you and share your story.
Rising Popularity and Performance Excitement
00:01:33
Speaker
Did you have to skip school to be here? I know you're homeschooled, but
00:01:36
Speaker
Yeah. Um, no, I didn't. That's good. You got all your work done. You got it all figured out. And, um, you actually got to do a, we're going to do a gig. And so we booked you. We love it. Where everyone here has been talking about you. I hope you know that no pressure. Everyone's like, okay, so when's Ruby Lee going to be here? Not the fact like we're having a party or we're going to give them free food. They're like, Ruby Lee, how does that make you feel at 16 years old that everyone like grown men are here? Like everyone is here to see you.
00:02:02
Speaker
I love it. I am super excited and I think it's gonna be a lot of fun. I mean, it's just really cool that people know who I am now.
Journey from Small Town to Big Stages
00:02:10
Speaker
It's really cool. Okay, so it's funny that you mentioned that then. Let's talk about that a little bit because you truly went from one of the 68 people in Foley, Missouri to now a household name. Everyone talks about you. Reba knows you. Nyle knows you. John knows you.
00:02:25
Speaker
I mean, all these people, they now know who Ruby Lee is, and what is that like for you? I mean, literally, you went from 68 people to big stages. It's quite incredible walking out on the stage, just knowing Reba McEntire is there, and John Legend and Nile. It's just super amazing. I was always super excited, like, oh my gosh, the crowd. I always made it a point to perform for
00:02:52
Speaker
You know, not only the people watching through TV, you know, like the crowd and, you know, the coaches. So it was just amazing. Such a wonderful, wonderful experience. Wonderful experience for a 16 year old at that too. I know several people that have like tried to get to the voice or they've made it through some of the prelims or whatever and never made it to the big stage.
00:03:12
Speaker
I got to commend you and I know we'll get into that more a little bit when we talk more about the voice, but I want to know you because you have such a cool relationship with your family.
Family's Support in Her Career
00:03:20
Speaker
Your mom and dad are behind the scenes doing what they do. They got to be on the voice as well, doing all the talking with all. I mean, they got to meet all the people that you got to meet and they're not only your biggest fans, but they're now becoming a little bit of your managers or maybe your momager, dadager as we would say, along with your family. Do I get that I say that right?
00:03:37
Speaker
Phantomly. Phantomly. Okay, yeah, so they're part of that. They're leading the nation there. And then your sister handling your merch and all of that. What's the family element like for that? I mean, having everyone along on the road with you. It's amazing, you know, you know, especially being on the show, like my sister is like the biggest Gwen Stefani fan. Yeah, I saw that. She was so like, I know. I was like,
00:03:58
Speaker
you know what her being there i was like the only thing i wanted just i really want her to meet her because you know like gwen is so amazing yeah um it was just such a wonderful experience and my family is so supportive like they've been supporting me since the very beginning probably even before like
00:04:16
Speaker
It's really hard to explain. They believe in me from day one. I remember when I was nine years old, when I started singing, I told my dad, I'm like, you know what, I'm going
Family's Belief in Her Ambitions
00:04:28
Speaker
to be a singer. I don't think my dad believed me at that point.
00:04:30
Speaker
I think he does now. Oh, for sure. And he did deep down as your dad. He was probably like, okay, we need to get this girl some voice lessons or something. So, you know, that's really cool too. I love that. I used to say, I grew up in the era of Hannah Montana. Do you even know Hannah Montana? Okay, okay. Well, that's good. I love how versed you are on the musicians, but I would put on concerts, like, especially in the shower, but more specifically in the yard, and I would have choreographed backup dancers that didn't exist, but they were like there, you know? And so I relate to you so much, even though there's a huge difference.
00:04:58
Speaker
I don't sing and you do. So if anyone heard me, they would be like, uh, I don't know. But anyway, moving on to that, I saw on a live recently that you guys were just literally sitting in the car. You're talking to all your fans. People are interacting. They're asking you questions. Are you coming to this state? Are you coming to here?
00:05:14
Speaker
at 16 years old is that hard to keep up with hard to process hard to move through you know that so many people are asking so many things of you and you're like i don't even know what i'm gonna eat for lunch right now exactly yeah um you know it's definitely different it's like one of those like it's it's such a weird feeling like
00:05:34
Speaker
going live and there's so many people from all these different states that know who I am and they want me to come there. They want to see me. It's just shocking and really cool at the same time. I'm still getting used to it. It's only been a month since the last episode aired. I know. It's all still so new and fresh and it probably feels like a dream still.
00:05:58
Speaker
Yeah, it totally does. Yeah, like when you woke up the next day, you're probably like, what the heck is going on? But along the same lines, there were so many people there that were in the audience cheering you on. But the one specific person I have a question about at The Voice was Carson Daly. Did you get to hang out with him much at all? Was he fun? I mean, yeah, I met him a few times. I mean, obviously, after the rounds, he'd be there. Yeah, he's pretty cool. That's cool. Very calm.
00:06:24
Speaker
Really? Okay. I kind of, I kind of seemed to him as like, you know, super energetic or whatever. So that's cool. That's cool.
Support from Niall Horan
00:06:30
Speaker
And then I have another question too, because Gwen and Blake are together, obviously. Was Blake ever there? Did you get to meet Blake as well? I did not. Dang. That's okay. Another day. He's, he's, I'm from Oklahoma. He's a fellow Oki. So I just assumed like, Oh, that's cool. Um, but what did it, like, what did it feel like for you then to have, uh, I mean, Niall Horan, like he told you, I want to, I want to get the words right. So let me find it really quick. Cause he, he had like the most.
00:06:54
Speaker
cool quote, he said, you're from a different planet. He's fun and different anyway, but what did that mean? That's just got to be so cool. I wish you could frame that, right? Oh yeah, absolutely. Me growing up, before I found Country, I was like the biggest One Direction fan you've ever seen. I love One Direction.
00:07:14
Speaker
And, you know, going there, I was like, oh my gosh, this is Niall Horan. And being backstage, like after my knockout performance, he came out like armed right open. He's like, Ruby, I'm such a huge fan. I'm like, I feel like we should be switching spots. I'm like, this doesn't seem real.
00:07:31
Speaker
He was like my biggest cheerleader on the show. He was just so amazing. Like I was telling people, I'm like, I don't think he would have cared either way who won. He was just so proud of everyone. Yeah, he was just really, really cool. And yeah, he was like my biggest cheerleader on the show throughout the entire time.
00:07:49
Speaker
That is so awesome to hear because you got to work with so many people and to have him kind of take you on as like that big
Early Performance of 'Shallow'
00:07:55
Speaker
brother role. I think that's like super cool and sets you apart. But one thing too that I think sets you apart from all the rest is I saw a video and of course I creeped you because I was like I want to know. At 13 years old you were probably in a bar of dancehall or something and you sang the song shallow. Oh yeah. Do you remember this performance that I'm talking about? Probably not.
00:08:14
Speaker
Because you did you sing it so many times but the way you belt it out like that I was like at 13 years old I can't imagine what you could do now and then and then now I do know what you can do now that's just so so mind-boggling to me. Thank you. But I do want to kind of get back into the voice questions and really you had a lot of different song choices like your first one you sang was Cowboy's Sweetheart. How did you pick that song specifically? Did you know that that was like yodeling was the move for you?
00:08:41
Speaker
You know, Gilding is something that I definitely wanted to do on the show because I feel like it showcases who I am a little bit. Oh, yeah. And you know, the song is by Patsy Montana. Her real name is Ruby Glevins. I didn't know that. Yeah. Okay. So I was like...
00:08:56
Speaker
That's a really cool connection. Ruby? Yeah. And she was the first woman to ever sell a million records. And it was with that song. So I was like, you know what? It's got yodeling. We have the connection there. I was like, I just really want to do the song. And I didn't know if it was a right move or not. Going into it, I was like, will anybody turn? I thought my only shot was Reba. Reba. Yeah. It makes sense. Your brand's aligned. Yeah. Exactly. One person got it. Yeah. And then when John turned first, I was like,
00:09:25
Speaker
Oh my gosh. Yeah, Reva didn't turn until you started yodeling. Yeah. Which I was like, okay, that means she respects you even more though, too. She really took the time to listen, to see if you could hit the notes. She told me after that, actually, they didn't air it, but she told me, you know, I waited so long because when you started off so high, I just knew that you were going to fall apart because it only gets higher. So she said, I waited because I wanted to hear that. And she said, as soon as you didn't fall apart, that's when I hit my button. Wow.
00:09:51
Speaker
So it was really just a really cool moment. Yeah, because it was like literally, yeah, John turned first and then immediately they were like boom boom boom boom boom boom. How did you keep seeking whenever they were turning? You know what? It's so crazy. A lot of people like, you know, like the TV show magic. Of course. Yeah. Right now. What are you talking about? No, I'm just kidding. But I mean, like the buttons don't do anything. Like you don't hear them turn around. Stop it. I know. I know.
00:10:17
Speaker
It's all added in post. Yeah. Now we know. You're welcome. Dang. Thank you. But, you know, so I, they didn't tell me that. So like when John turned first, I was looking at Reba's chair, you know, because I'm like, is Reba going to turn or not? Because, you know, I thought you cared about her. Yeah. I was like, I like I figured she was my only shot. Like the only person that would turn for me. And then when John turned, like I saw it out of the corner of my eyes, like chair lit up and then turned. I was like,
00:10:43
Speaker
my gosh, I'm like your team legend, I guess. And then Reba turned around. Before Reba turned in my mind after John turned, I was like, my gosh, I'm like team legend. I was like, but Reba didn't turn, and she's in your genre. She thinks you're horrible. And then she turned, and that's why I smiled so big. Everyone talks about how I smiled and nodded. Yeah, so it wasn't like,
00:11:08
Speaker
I went in knowing that Reba was my pick. I just thought that she was the only one that was gonna turn for me. Business-wise, it makes sense. Absolutely, yeah. So, us being country, I figured, obviously, I'm maybe Reba. But yeah, honestly, it was a hard decision, because they were fighting really hard, and I was like, I love Reba, but I'm like, I need someone that really wants me. I need to know that they want me. And then Reba used her trick, which was the fake hair. That was awesome, by the way. How could you say no?
00:11:38
Speaker
Yeah, I'm like, I have to pick Reba. So obviously I picked Reba and we went pretty far. Oh, yeah, you did. Then there's a lot to unpack there. But before we do, I've got to get back to one more thing because... Hey, it's Reba McIntyre. The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund has been crucial to the rodeo community for more than 30 years. Over $9 million has been awarded to the rodeo athletes and their families so far.
00:12:05
Speaker
I love that 100% of every dollar you and I contribute to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund goes directly to those injured Cowboys, Cal girls, and their families. So please donate today at justincaboycrisisfund.org. We really appreciate it.
00:12:22
Speaker
The second that it was all over, I kind of have a two-parter here. The first part is, did it really take a long time, like did it take longer than the TV made it seem for them to pick? Because on TV it seemed fairly fast, you know, it was like, or for you to pick. It seemed fairly fast. Was it like 30 minutes? How long was it in real life? For my audition I was on stage for over an hour.
00:12:43
Speaker
Oh, wow. And that's all of the coaches talking. I sang a second song for Reba. I mean, Niall asked, actually, Niall was like, do you sing a Reba song? So I'm like, that's funny. I'm like, yeah, I do, actually. And then Reba was like, well, let it rip. And I'm like, OK. So I sang a second song for Reba. And, you know, it was it was a long time. That's why it was so hard for me to pick. Like, they only air like five minutes. And but like, yeah, all of that time I was like,
00:13:10
Speaker
Oh my gosh. Did you truly go back and forth? I really did. You really did. At the very end, I was like, obviously you have to narrow it down. Who really wants to help me?
Choosing Between Team Niall and Team Reba
00:13:20
Speaker
How could you do the best? How could you succeed the most? Exactly. I was really looking between Niall and Reba. I was very close to picking Niall at one point and then obviously Ruby used her trick because the whole time she was sitting there just smiling at me and I was banging on the chair, like picking me. Being dramatic, you're right. So I was like,
00:13:38
Speaker
Okay, maybe Niall wants me more. Yeah. Because you know, in my mind, I'm like, I can't just pick Reba just because you're exactly right. Good for you at 16 to know that. Honestly, I mean, it was it was definitely a hard decision. Yeah. Obviously, like when she is her trick, I'm like,
00:13:55
Speaker
I have to go through that. Okay. And then, okay, so that was the first part. My second part to that was, one thing that stood out to me was Gwen was yodeling. At one point, things got really crazy for you, Ruby Lee. Like, Gwen Stefani, the holla bat girl, the girl that I know, she was yodeling for you. That was so cool. And then Reba yodeled. Did you guys ever get a chance to, like, have a moment of yodeling? Did you ever have, like, behind the scenes, you know, like, you, Gwen, Reba, yodeling?
00:14:20
Speaker
If not, let's make it happen. A trio. Me and Riva yodeled together. Did you? I didn't get a chance to with Gwen because obviously like, you know, all the days that they do it, it's like separate days. Okay. So it's like maybe like Nyle and Riva's team will be on one day and then Gwen and John. So like you don't see them all. Oh, you didn't get that as much intimate interaction. I mean, I did get to see them like,
00:14:46
Speaker
obviously after the performance they came through backstage. We're all sitting back there. So I did get to see them a lot after performances and that's where I met most of them. But obviously like rehearsals with Reba sometimes like Niall would be there. Usually it was Reba and Gwen you know and I've seen Gwen a few times. She actually said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that I was her favorite on the show. I was like
00:15:11
Speaker
whoa oh it was crazy my gosh I know another moment that if we could frame sound bites and put them on the wall that's exactly wow it was just it was insane John said the same thing he didn't say in an interview but he him and Gwen told me behind the scenes like that's really cool
00:15:29
Speaker
And then my sister sent me this, she was like, oh my gosh, did you see this? I'm like, no, what is this? So she sent me this clip and it's Gwen talking on this huge news platform and saying that I'm her favorite. And she still had her whole team. I was like, that's insane.
00:15:45
Speaker
Yeah, that's truly insane. And I think it's worth mentioning. I know this wasn't in a rehearsal, but you mentioned rehearsing with Reba and all that. One of your coaches one week was Winona, Judd. And girl, I love me some Winona. The Judds, I grew up listening to them. My parents did too. What was Winona like? Because she really took, what I thought was cool was she took like a special interest in you. She maybe felt like saw you as a daughter figure or sister figure or something. So just tell us about that moment and what it was like getting constructive criticism. Because a lot of people don't like that either.
00:16:14
Speaker
Like a lot of people don't want to do better. And so for you, you were like, okay, I'll go higher. I'll go lower. I'll do that. Cause she, she wanted you to sound like professional and real cause she knew you could do it. She knew you had it. Yeah. Yeah. Um, it was amazing. Like obviously you don't know who it is. They don't tell you beforehand. Like they literally know, like you have no idea who it is. Oh my gosh. So when you walked in, it was a full, it was really actually a shock the way you reacted. Absolutely. And you know, like obviously I was sitting back there and I'm like,
00:16:42
Speaker
Who is it? I'm like, I hope it's someone I know. I don't want to walk in and be like, could you imagine? Yeah, like someone I'm like, hi, do you want me to sing one of your songs? Good. Let me Google it really quick. That would be like, what's your name? Do you play any? It's like, yeah. So I was like, oh, my gosh, I hope it's someone I know. And then when I walked in, I was like,
00:17:00
Speaker
So loud. I'm like why no. No. I'm like, oh my gosh, you screamed it out. I was so embarrassed. One of the other red-headed queens. Exactly. And you know, it was like a lot of like the country people on the show didn't know who it was. And I'm like, okay, first of all, disappointment. I'm disappointed. No, I know. I was like, how do you not know who I am? I'm like the judge.
00:17:22
Speaker
They're so iconic. Yeah, so it was especially cool for me. I'm like, oh my gosh, like Reba and Winona. And then obviously for the top 12, they had Chance the Rapper and Reba. Oh, yeah. So like, when I walked in, I'm like, what an interesting duo we have going on. Yeah. I walked in, I'm like, you really don't expect that. No.
00:17:44
Speaker
Yeah, he was awesome too. He was really, really cool. Yeah, but it was just like a great time. Like I was just like expecting like, who's it gonna be? Yeah, yeah. Well, we're almost out of time, but I do have to ask you one week. Oh, they're towards the end. You sang long, long time. And I love that they did your makeup. They made it look like you had tear drops, you know, with the rhinestones or whatever.
00:18:04
Speaker
how did you channel such hurt or like such a sad emotion and then like still seeing and still handle all the pressure too because that's hard like 16 you know i'm not discounting anything you've experienced but you haven't had a lot of like true heartbreak from boys even if you have you know so how did you how did you channel that you know um also first thing about the makeup that was my idea they weren't gonna do it and you know they put it on and you know the lady was like you know i don't know if they'll clear this for the show and i'm like
00:18:32
Speaker
Oh, please. Please do. And they did. I was like, oh, yeah. So anyway, long story short, you know, doing the song, I was in a tornado when I was younger and, you know, like there was a lot of like emotional like pain that came with that.
Using Trauma for Emotional Connection
00:18:49
Speaker
It was such a hard time. We lost everything. It got to the point where we were living on ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was a really, really hard time. I was almost four. It's so weird because those traumatic things will stick with you. You'll forget so many great things that have happened, but anything that's traumatic, you'll always remember that.
00:19:10
Speaker
and you know like going through with like these sad songs I was like I have to like dig deep and like channel something like that you know even though like I haven't like been through a heartbreak or something like that yeah I was just like you got to connect with the feelings that you had to really sell the song because you know a lot of people don't think about it but being a musician you're also an actor yeah because you can't get up there and like smile and sing blue because then they're gonna be like
00:19:37
Speaker
She's just singing. That doesn't line up. Yeah, it doesn't make sense. Well, you're a performer for a reason. You perform. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So it's really like like a musical, I guess. It's just yeah, it's like like this acting. So I think I did really well with the long run time. I was like you did a lot of people's favorites that cowboy sweetheart, obviously, of course, beginning it. You like really went in with the bang, went out with the bang. It was great. Yeah. I mean, it was really, really cool. I had a great time on the show.
00:20:05
Speaker
No, and it looked like it too. You truly were living in every moment, all of it. And I know we're, like I said, almost out of time, unfortunately. But the last question I want to ask, I always ask someone on this podcast, what's your best piece of advice for whatever, whatever. But what's your best piece of advice for someone that's going to go through a TV show like that? Because like I said, there's all kinds of shows out there. There's American Idol, The Voice, all of them. And you have to go through a stream newest process to get to TV. And a lot of people don't know that. It's like dedication, you have to make the cut. So what's your best piece of advice?
00:20:35
Speaker
What advice there? Yeah, I mean a lot of people think that you just auditioned and then they call and they're like, hey, you
Audition Process for The Voice
00:20:41
Speaker
made it on the show. You won a million dollars. Yeah, exactly. So like going through and doing the audition process, like how long it is, is I sent in my first video audition in November and I was on stage for my actual blind performance that was in June. So all of those months is all casting, all cut. Even being flown out for the show,
00:21:05
Speaker
you're there for two months and you're not promised an audition. Like, you can be cut being there. Like, on the day that they tell you you're gonna perform, they can be like, sorry, we don't have room for you to try it next season. Like, I had friends next to me that they did that too, and I'm like, oh my gosh, are they going down the line in my max? So, I would just say, like, be yourself, definitely. I mean, there's a lot of, like, stress with being on a show like that.
00:21:31
Speaker
And I mean, obviously, there's a lot of great memories to be made being on the show. But sometimes there can be drama. Obviously, it's a competition show. Yeah, you want some drama. You want some competition. Yeah, exactly. So just work hard. Do whatever your coach tells you to do. That was one thing that I really paid attention to. Anything that Reba had to say, I'm just like,
00:21:57
Speaker
I'll do that. So yeah, just be yourself and do what you want to do.
Advice for Aspiring Musicians
00:22:03
Speaker
That is so wise for 16 years old. Truly, I'm like, I need to take some of that advice, not for the musical shows, but just in life. Like things happen, people get fired, you know, all this stuff. Like you just got to take it and leave it in love and be yourself. And that was so, so good. And I want to say too, thank you for being yourself on stage and in person. Your style got to show through on the stage. Your style shines through now.
00:22:26
Speaker
Keep it up girlfriend. You are going to big places and I am humbled and honored to be sitting right next to you. So thank you, Ruby Lee. You're gonna crush it one day. You're already crushing it now. And I know you have to go get ready for your performance tonight. So thank you again. We really appreciate it.
00:22:41
Speaker
No, no, thank you. Thanks for having me. Of course. And if you guys want to check out her social media, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, all the places you want to tick talk. She's a tick talker. Ruby Lee official is where you'll find her. Go, go feel free to ask her some questions. She's really good about answering questions the best she can. Her and her family rock. So if you guys have any questions, feel free to do that. Like subscribe to this podcast, share with your friends. We love you and thank you for kicking up your boots. See you next time.
00:23:08
Speaker
Thanks for joining us on Kick Your Boots Up. I'm your host, Taylor McAdams, and we can't wait to share the next story of the West. Until then, feel free to like, subscribe, and leave us a review. Follow us on social media at Justin Boots to keep up with our next episode, and we'll see you the next time you kick your boots up.