Albuquerque singer Lillie Kolich secured a place in the next stage of NBC’s The Voice. Coach Queen Latifah selected her over Kayleigh Mathews during a high-stakes battle round. Their performance of Little Big Town’s hit song “Girl Crush” showcased Kolich’s unconventional approach to country music. This performance earned her a coveted spot in Cut Week.
In an interview with KOB 4, Kolich explained that her songwriting background in Nashville shaped her decision to avoid a traditional country interpretation during the duet. “You know it’s funny. I live in Nashville and I write country songs for other artists, but like country music is not my bag,” Kolich said. She detailed how her artistic identity influenced her dynamic stage performance.
Queen Latifah based her advancing decision on Kolich’s standout vocal delivery during the close matchup. The coach praised a specific note delivered by Kolich that helped settle a tight call after both singers demonstrated exceptional talent. This victory moves Kolich forward following her memorable blind audition earlier in the season. During that audition, she earned a four-chair turn and chose to join Team Queen.
The Journey From Albuquerque to Nashville
Kolich’s path to the national stage is built on years of dedication. Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she began performing around age five. She participated heavily in local musical theater and built a dedicated regional following. In 2023, she made a major life transition, moving more than 1,200 miles from Albuquerque to Nashville to pursue music full-time.
Before breaking through on television, Kolich established herself as an indie singer-songwriter. She is known for intimate, lyric-driven compositions with a strong pop sensibility. Her Nashville career features regular appearances at Fox & Locke. She was also selected as a highlighted performer when Zach Bryan released his album The Great American Bar Scene in 2024. Kolich had submitted audition videos for previous seasons of The Voice without a response. However, a call from a casting director while she was eating breakfast at home changed everything.
Battle Rounds Bring Intense Competition
The October episode featured several intense pairings as coaches narrowed down their rosters. While Kolich advanced directly with Queen Latifah’s support, her battle opponent Kayleigh Mathews sparked a multi-coach scramble. Both Kelly Clarkson and Riley Green pressed their steal buttons to recruit Mathews, who had also earned a four-chair turn during the blind auditions. Green urged Mathews to join his team by reminding her of his initial recruitment effort. Clarkson also fiercely campaigned for her own chance to coach the talented singer.
Music legend Patti LaBelle served as Queen Latifah’s mentor for the battle rounds. With this guidance, Kolich and Mathews prepared their duet under high-pressure conditions. Ultimately, Kolich’s unique sonic choices secured her safety on Team Queen. This sets her up for the upcoming Cut Week performances as she continues her quest for the season trophy.
