"The Voice" Alum Dylan Carter Dead at 24 in Car Accident
Dylan Carter, a country singer and fan favorite from Season 24 of NBC's The Voice, died Saturday, April 25, in a car accident in Colleton County, South Carolina. He was 24. Carter was a proud Lowcountry native who had earned a devoted following through his television debut and his deep roots in the South Carolina community.
A Four-Chair Turn That Stopped the Show
Carter stepped onto The Voice stage in 2023 with a performance of Whitney Houston's "I Look to You" that earned him a rare four-chair turn — all four coaches, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend, and Gwen Stefani, spinning their chairs simultaneously. The moment stood out not just for its emotional weight: Carter had first performed the song at his mother's funeral after she passed away the year before.
Reba McEntire was visibly moved during his audition. "I love those songs, when you can take it spiritual or secular, either one. So much emotion, and I saw it and I felt it and I heard it when you were singing," she told him. "That's when you know you've got a great song and a great singer, when it touches your heart."
Choosing Team Reba
With all four coaches competing for him, Carter chose McEntire. His explanation was simple and personal: "Something told me to go with Reba. She could be a comforting mom figure for me. She'd welcome me in, make me feel confident and show me how to use my voice." He went on to compete in the Battle Rounds, where he was eliminated after being matched against fellow contestant Tom Nitti on a performance of Cody Johnson's "'Til You Can't."
Life Beyond the Stage
After The Voice, Carter returned to South Carolina and continued building a life that went well beyond performing. He co-founded The Local Voice, a nonprofit that uses music to support women in the state who are battling breast cancer. He also owned Sunny Days RV & Campground and worked as a realtor. He had been scheduled to perform a concert in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, on Monday, April 27, the day his death was publicly announced.
Carter's multifaceted connection to music extended into his community work. The Local Voice described him as someone who "believed every voice matters and lived that every day."
Tributes Pour In
The Local Voice announced Carter's passing on social media with a statement that captured the depth of the loss: "Dylan was the heart of what we do. We are heartbroken, but find comfort in knowing he is in heaven with his mother. We are so grateful for Dylan, for the love he gave this community, and for the impact he leaves behind. We will carry his light forward and continue this mission in his honor."
Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr. also posted a tribute, calling Carter "a gifted singer" and a cherished community member. "His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt," Hamilton wrote. "He was much more to our family than an entertainer — he was our friend and we are deeply saddened."
Reba McEntire shared a tribute on Instagram Stories, writing: "We will miss Dylan so much. He was a brilliant, kind and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to The Voice. Rest in peace, my dear friend." The post, shared alongside a photo of Carter, reflected the bond the two had formed during his time on the show.
Carter joins a painful list of sudden losses that have touched the entertainment community in recent months. No additional details about the accident have been released. Information on survivors was not immediately available.
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