Honestly, most people who watched season 9 of NBC’s The Voice back in 2015 thought they knew exactly how Emily Ann Roberts' story would go. She was the 16-year-old with the honey-sweet twang and the vintage soul. She stood on that stage, gave us a version of "In the Garden" that basically felt like a religious experience for half the country, and then... she kind of vanished. Or so the casual viewer thought.
If you only remember her as the runner-up to Jordan Smith, you're missing the most interesting part of the story. While other reality show finalists were chasing TikTok trends or trying to force themselves into a pop-country mold that didn't fit, Roberts went home to Knoxville. She finished high school. She grew up. And then, she started doing something much harder than winning a TV show: she started building a legacy.
The Blake Shelton Connection: It Wasn’t Just for TV
It’s easy to be cynical about the "mentor" relationships on these shows. Usually, the cameras stop rolling, and the coaching stops too. But Emily Ann Roberts the Voice wasn’t just a catchy tagline for Blake Shelton; she became his protege in the truest sense.
Even now, in 2026, the bond is still there. She’s currently a staple on his "Friends & Heroes" tour, sharing the stage with legends like Trace Adkins and Deana Carter. Think about that for a second. Most reality contestants are lucky if they get a callback for a "Where Are They Now" segment. Roberts is opening for a guy who has 28 number-one hits.
Shelton hasn't just given her a platform; he’s given her a blueprint. He saw what the "casual" fans might have missed—that her voice isn't just "pretty." It’s technically insane. She has this ability to flip into a head voice that reminds you of early Dolly Parton, but then she’ll hit a chest note that sounds like a 90s powerhouse like Patty Loveless.
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The "Can’t Hide Country" Reality
In 2023, Roberts finally dropped her debut full-length album, Can’t Hide Country. It was a huge risk. The Nashville machine usually wants young female artists to sound like they belong in a Zara commercial—polished, safe, and vaguely "atmospheric."
Roberts went the opposite way. She leaned into the fiddle. She leaned into the banjo.
The track "Whole Lotta Little" became a viral moment because it felt authentic. It wasn't some manufactured anthem about a "truck and a beer." It was about her life. It was about being happy with what you have.
Wait, what’s she doing in 2026?
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Right now, she’s not just a "former contestant." She’s a headliner. Just recently, she headlined a massive New Year’s Eve celebration at The Island in Pigeon Forge, playing to thousands of people in her home state. She’s also a frequent flyer at the Grand Ole Opry—closing in on 25+ appearances. For a country artist, that’s the only metric that actually matters.
What Most People Miss About Her Journey
There’s a misconception that if you don't win The Voice, your career is a failure. That’s nonsense.
Look at the stats. Roberts has amassed over 45 million streams. Her 2025 release, Memory Lane, showed a much more mature side of her songwriting. She isn't just the "young girl with the big voice" anymore. She’s writing about marriage, legacy, and the grind of the music industry.
The Realities of Her 2026 Tour Schedule:
- International Growth: She’s taking her East Tennessee sound to Europe this year, appearing at the C2C (Country to Country) festival in Berlin, Rotterdam, and London.
- Festival Dominance: She’s booked for the Tortuga Music Festival and the Cattle Country Music Fest in April.
- Strategic Collaboration: She’s not just sticking to her solo work. She’s been featured on tracks with artists like Alex Miller and the Swon Brothers, keeping her voice in front of diverse audiences.
Is Traditional Country Actually Back?
For a long time, traditional country was treated like a museum piece. You could look at it, but you couldn't really "play" with it. Roberts is changing that. She makes 90s-style country feel modern.
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It’s not just about the twang; it’s about the storytelling. When she sings "The Building," a song about her church and her roots, it doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels like she’s inviting you into her living room.
That’s why she’s still relevant a decade after her season of The Voice. She didn't try to be the next Carrie Underwood. She tried to be the first Emily Ann Roberts.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Listeners
If you’re just rediscovering her, don’t just stick to her covers from the show. Here is how to actually dive into her catalog:
- Listen to "He Set Her Off": If you want to hear her personality and that 90s-empowerment vibe, this is the track. It’s cheeky, it’s fun, and it shows her vocal agility better than any ballad.
- Watch an Opry Performance: Go to YouTube and find her performing at the Grand Ole Opry. You’ll see the difference between a "contestant" and a "pro." The way she commands the circle is something you can't teach.
- Check the 2026 Tour Dates: If you're in the Midwest or the South this summer, she's hitting the festival circuit hard (Hoofbeat Country Fest and Lakes Jam). Seeing her live is the only way to truly appreciate the power of her "pure" vocal tone.
- Explore the Cabin Sessions: For a more stripped-down experience, her Can't Hide Country (Cabin Sessions) EP features an incredible cover of "How Do I Live" that will give you chills.
The truth is, Emily Ann Roberts didn't lose The Voice. She used it as a springboard to build a career that is actually built to last. In an industry that eats young talent for breakfast, she’s the rare one who took her time and did it her way.