Oklahoma singer Jordan Rainer eliminated on 'The Voice' one step away from the finals

In her first season as a coach on "The Voice," Oklahoma native and Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire will have two members of her team competing in "The Voice" Season 24 finals.

Unfortunately for Sooner State music fans, her fellow Atoka County native Jordan Rainer won't be one of them.

Rainer, 33, was one of four performers eliminated in Tuesday night's live semifinals results episode, which cut the field of Top 9 contestants to the Top 5 ahead of next week's season finale.

Now based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Rainer thanked her famous flame-haired coach moments before her elimination.

"Ten years in the business so far, and it's been a tough business. It's been a tough road, and I've heard the word 'no' a lot — and you were my first and my most prized 'yes.' Thank you for turning your chair for me. Love you," Rainer told McEntire on Tuesday's live broadcast.

"I'd turn my chair for you anytime," Reba responded. "Jordan, you're great. You are so different — and that's what we need in country music. Your enthusiasm, your passion, your love for country music, we need you in there. Absolutely. Love you. Never stop. Never stop."

How did Oklahoman Jordan Rainer get to the live semifinals on 'The Voice?'

Rainer became a "Voice" favorite on the Season 24 premiere, when her blind audition performance of "Fancy," the Bobbie Gentry-penned ode that has become Reba's signature song, prompted all four coaches to turn their big red chairs and try to win her for their team.  

The singer-songwriter, who performed in the spring at McEntire's new Atoka hot spot Reba's Place, followed her dreams onto Team Reba, and she wowed "The Voice" coaches and audiences with her powerhouse country performances.  

She won her battle round, her knockout round and her playoff to make the Top 12, who competed in last week's first live shows.

That's when the Atoka native hit her first obstacle in the NBC singing contest: She ended up among the four contestants who received the fewest votes from the viewing public.

But given a last chance to perform, she won the first Instant Save of Season 24 to advance to this week's Top 9.

What Blake Shelton anthem did Jordan Rainer perform on 'The Voice' live semifinals?

On Monday's semifinals performance episode, she paid homage to her Oklahoma and tribal heritage, getting emotional when she received a message of support on the broadcast from Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby and several fellow Chickasaws.

"I am Chickasaw ... and to represent the tribal community of Oklahoma is such an honor," Rainer said on Monday's episode. "To my people banded behind me and supporting me, I'm absolutely speechless. Thank you. There's grit and such perseverance that runs in my veins, and I'm so thankful for my foundation that gives me the strength to keep going."

She kept the Sooner State theme going with her semifinals performance, delivering a spirited rendition of former "The Voice" coach and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton's fan-favorite story song "Ol' Red."

The cover even won cheeky compliments from "The Voice" host Carson Daly, who couldn't help but take a shot at his pal Shelton when he told Rainer, "Finally, I like that song. Thank you for doing it so much better than Blake."

Rainer's semifinals cover also earned praise from Shelton's wife, pop superstar Gwen Stefani, who called it "probably my favorite performance that you've done," as well as her coach.

"You did southeastern Oklahoma — forget southeastern Oklahoma. You did Oklahoma — no, forget that. You did all of America proud. Way to go," Reba declared Monday night.

Who are the Top 5 who advanced to 'The Voice' Season 24 finals?

In the first half of Tuesday's live semifinal results episode, Daly revealed four of the Top 5 artists moving on to the finals: Lila Forde from John Legend's team; Ruby Leigh from Team Reba; and Mara Justine and Huntley from Niall Horan's team.

That left five contestants singing for the Instant Save and one last chance to make the finals: Rainer, fellow Team Reba belter Jacquie Roar, Team Niall songstress Nini Iris, Team Gwen country singer BIAS and Team Legend R&B crooner Mac Royals.

For her last-chance performance, Rainer offered a surprisingly tender cover of Lee Brice's vulnerable ballad "I Don't Dance," showing off her vocal and emotional range as well as her Okie twang.

The performance prompted Reba to declare her protege, "4-foot-11, you are a powerhouse gladiator."

"You are a force of nature ... and we see a different side of you every time you come on this stage. You're great. America, come on now," McEntire said after Rainer's performance.

But it was the other Team Reba singer, Roar, that emerged as the winner of the Instant Save, rounding out the Top 5.

Before she was eliminated on Tuesday's episode, Rainer not only thanked her coach but also their mutual home state for the support she received during her run on the show.

"As a proud Oklahoma and Chickasaw native, it is an absolute honor that I have the support that I have from my home community and my home state but also America. Thank you for embracing me as I am. I know I'm a little different, and I'm a little bit of a handful — but I love you."

The finals performances for the Top 5 contenders are scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 on NBC.

It all leads up to the two-hour "The Voice" live finale results show at 8 p.m. Dec. 19, when the Season 24 winner will be revealed.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoman and Reba protege Jordan Rainer eliminated on 'The Voice'