ST. ANN, Mo. — She gave it her all on the Voice stage but Tish Haynes Keys is not one of the Top 12. Tish is from University City and was part of Kelly Clarkson's team on the show. Wednesday, two singers from each team advanced to the Top 12. Tish sang "At Last," but she didn't get enough votes from the public and her coach chose a different singer to advance instead.
Tish's fans watched the dramatic moment play out from Bar Code and Grill, where Tish performed before becoming a Voice contestant. One of her best friends, Katrina Reece, believes the opportunities are far from over for Tish.
"I mean you look at Jennifer Hudson," Reece said. "She didn't win."
Katrina is a singer, too, but her voice is different from her friend's.
"My voice is a little more lighter than hers," Katrina said. "Tish is that power house."
She says they're the perfect blend.
"Tish is like a musical soulmate," Katrina said. "She's sung background for me and I've sung background for her."
Together, they were also background singers for other artists, including Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Wendell Brown, and Koko Soul. And together, they've put themselves out there.
"American Idol, all of these different shows that have come out, we've tried for it," Katrina said. "So you get to a point where you're like I don't know if I'm going to go through this again."
But last summer Tish went for the Voice -- and went far.
"Watching her on TV? It is the most exhilarating thing," Katrina said. "I mean like I'm shaking now."
Katrina watched as Tish was cut from the show.
"It's not really about winning," Katrina said. "It's about being a light and inspiring others."
At the same time, she believes Tish's success on the Voice will lead to more deals and gigs.
