USM grad Karen Waldrup tells fans she wants to 'Stay' during 'The Voice' semifinals

Karen Waldrup took a step back and showed a more vulnerable side as she performed Sugarland's "Stay" Monday night in the semifinals on "The Voice."

The vulnerability only enhanced the powerful lyrics of the song and allowed Waldrup's vocals to hang in the air as she glided across the stage. As the song ended and the lonely lover regained her confidence, so too did Waldrup allow the strength and confidence in her voice to come through as she told the cheating husband to stay — with his wife.

"One of the most emotional, raw n real performances of your career," one fan wrote on Facebook.

"This performance was incredible, so real and heart felt. You pour yourself in all your music but oh my goodness and yes I was in tears," said another.

Waldrup, a University of Southern Mississippi graduate, is one of nine singers hoping to make it to next week's final round of the singing competition. Fans vote for their favorite singers, with the field being narrowed to five performers after Monday night's eliminations.

Although she had been singing since her childhood in Mandeville, Louisiana, it wasn't until she was a student at Southern Miss that she began to think of music as a career. A win in the semifinals would bring Waldrup one step closer to winning the show and the $100,000 prize that also comes with a recording contract.

Earlier in the evening, Waldrup joined Josh Sanders and Tae Lewis in a trio, performing former "Voice" judge Blake Shelton's "Forever Young."

"The Voice" airs at 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Karen Waldrup sings Sugarland's 'Stay' on 'The Voice'