In the electrifying glow of NBC’s red chairs, where dreams are forged in four-part harmonies and heartbreak often lurks behind the spotlight, history is poised to repeat itself with a poignant twist. Girl Named Tom—the sibling trio of Bekah, Joshua, and Caleb Liechty who shattered records as the first group to claim victory on The Voice in Season 21— is making a triumphant return for Season 29’s groundbreaking “Battle of Champions.” Invited back by their legendary coach Kelly Clarkson to headline the inaugural All-Star Showdown during the Knockouts, the Ohio natives are stepping onto the iconic stage once more, representing Team Kelly in high-stakes sing-offs against fellow alumni. But this isn’t just a nostalgic encore; it’s a chapter laced with stunning disclosures about their post-win odyssey—one marked by profound loss, quiet reinvention, and an unyielding commitment to their roots. As the spring 2026 premiere looms, fans are buzzing: What secrets from their journey will the Liechtys share that could redefine their legacy? In a format revamp dubbed The Voice: Battle of Champions, this All-Star clash isn’t merely entertainment; it’s a testament to endurance, where past triumphs fuel future battles.

For the uninitiated, Girl Named Tom’s ascent was nothing short of a fairy tale scripted in folk-pop gold. Hailing from the tiny Mennonite village of Pettisville, Ohio—a place where wide worldviews bloom from small-town soil—the siblings formed their band in 2019, pivoting from medical school aspirations after their father’s 2017 terminal cancer diagnosis reshaped their priorities. “We wanted more time as a family,” Bekah reflected in early interviews, her voice a blend of resolve and melody. Their self-released EP Another World and singles like “Barrier Island” caught local ears, but it was their Blind Audition on Season 21 in September 2021 that ignited national frenzy. Belting Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Helplessly Hoping,” they snagged the season’s first four-chair turn from Clarkson, Blake Shelton, John Legend, and Ariana Grande. Opting for Team Kelly—drawn to her powerhouse vocals and genuine rapport—the trio dazzled through Battles with The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road,” Knockouts via Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” (a heartfelt nod to their ailing dad), and a finale medley of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and The Foundations’ “Baby Now That I’ve Found You.” On December 14, 2021, confetti rained as they edged out powerhouses like Wendy Moten, securing Clarkson’s fourth win and etching their name in Voice lore as the inaugural group champions.

The victory was bittersweet from the start. Mere hours after the crown, the Liechtys posted a raw Instagram statement revealing their father’s health had plummeted into a “downward spiral,” with “horrific pain” post-surgery keeping them in L.A. only at their parents’ insistence. “Some might think this is the worst timing—our father taking such a downward spiral at the exact moment of our success,” they wrote. “In truth, we feel fortunate… The Voice has given our family opportunities to connect, reflect, and marvel at the love we have for each other.” Fans rallied, streaming their instant-release holiday single “No Snow for Christmas” to iTunes’ Top 200 peak. Yet tragedy struck swiftly: Chris Liechty passed in late January 2022, just weeks after the win. The siblings honored him by proceeding with Ohio shows he’d urged them to play, sharing a video captioned “thank you. we are hurting and we are okay.” “Even in his last days, our dad made sure to tell us to go on,” they noted, transforming grief into purpose. “As we reflect on his life, we are finding even more purpose in what we do as Girl Named Tom.”

Post-Voice, the trio’s path twisted through triumphs and trials, a narrative of artistic independence amid personal reckoning. Signing with Republic Records, they dropped the covers album Hits from the Road—featuring Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”—and the festive One More Christmas in 2022, opening for Pentatonix on tour and performing at the Grand Ole Opry. They dazzled with the Nashville Symphony, shared stages with Kelsea Ballerini and Lady A, and even gifted their Voice trophy to Pettisville High School as a beacon for dreamers: “Handing it over to where it belongs: our small but mighty hometown… a reminder that small-town starts can lead to big dreams.” But shadows lingered. Parting ways with Republic in early 2024—described as an “arranged marriage” post-win—they embraced self-determination, teasing “something brewing” for 2025. Their 2023 national tour previewed originals, but delays stemmed from healing: sibling retreats “off the grid” to reconnect with roots, vocal lessons from Voice mentors, and navigating fame’s grind in the family minivan.

What they’ve shared lately could indeed stun fans—a raw embrace of vulnerability that mirrors their harmonies’ depth. In recent interviews tied to their Joy of Christmas Tour and EP …Wilder Then (summer 2025 release), the Liechtys opened up about diving into “darker, sadder parts” of life. No longer shying from holiday cheer’s underbelly, tracks like the single “Lucky One” tackle toxic relationships, urging listeners toward DomesticShelters.org for abuse support. “We’re not afraid to dive into the darker parts,” Joshua confessed, reflecting on losses that reshaped them. Caleb echoed: “Holidays aren’t always peace and joy—there’s realness in the pain.” Bekah highlighted growth: Constant touring strains but strengthens bonds, with Kelly Clarkson remaining a “cool aunt” figure, offering advice on balancing family and fame. Their 2025 teases? A full project of originals, born from years of “patience on both sides” with labels, now fully theirs. “It’s been a long process,” Joshua noted, “but we’re ready to share our stories—breakups, love, the full spectrum.” This evolution—from Voice darlings to indie folk warriors—stuns because it defies the winner’s trope: No swift stardom, but sustained harmony amid sorrow.

Season 29’s All-Star Showdown amplifies this return’s stakes. Airing spring 2026 as The Voice: Battle of Champions, the season features Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine— all prior winners—in a three-coach showdown. Each summons two alumni for Knockouts: Clarkson taps Girl Named Tom (Season 21 champs) and Jake Hoot (Season 17 victor); Legend revives Maelyn Jarmon (his sole win, Season 16) and finalist Renzo; Levine fields Javier Colon (Season 1) and Jordan Smith (Season 9). These six battle in head-to-head sing-offs, judged by OG coach CeeLo Green, with the top-winning coach guaranteed two Season 29 finalists. Taped September 6, 2025, at Universal Studios (free tickets drew crowds via Instagram pleas: “Kelly Clarkson called… YOU CAN BE THERE TOO!”), the event ties into NBC’s “Legendary February” alongside Super Bowl LX and NBA All-Stars. Clarkson, absent since Season 23, films concurrently with her talk show, her bond with Girl Named Tom enduring: “It has been the most amazing thing to work with you,” she gushed post-finale.

The Liechtys’ involvement feels fated—a full-circle nod to their Voice origins, where vulnerability fueled victory. Recent gigs, like October 2025’s Niswonger Performing Arts Center return (nearly sold out, opening for Kate Yeager) and Elkhart County Symphony holiday collab, showcase their live prowess: Tight folk-pop blends, emotional depth from shared stages with symphonies and stars. Their 14-city tour post-Showdown promotes …Wilder Then‘s acoustic cuts, blending covers with originals that probe division: “Small town siblings with a wide world-view, we seek to create harmony in a society divided.” Fans praise this authenticity—X threads hail “Lucky One” as a “gut-punch anthem”—but the stun lies in their candor: Parting with Republic freed them, yet they cherish Voice‘s launchpad. “The show gave us vocal lessons, mentors, a platform,” Caleb shared. “But family? That’s our real harmony.”

As Season 29 beckons, Girl Named Tom’s return stirs speculation: Will they dominate sing-offs, echoing their finale edge? Clarkson, with four crowns, eyes more; the trio, now seasoned, could sway CeeLo’s verdicts. Their story—win amid illness, loss forging purpose, independence birthing bolder art—resonates in Voice‘s ethos: Talent triumphs, but heart endures. “We fly and help each other fly,” their bio affirms. In a landscape of fleeting fame, Girl Named Tom’s revelations stun not with shock value, but quiet power: Success isn’t spotlights alone, but siblings harmonizing through shadows. Tune in spring 2026; the All-Stars await, but Girl Named Tom’s encore? It’s music to the soul.