It’s not every day that a former college softball champion steps up to the mic and wins over millions — but that’s exactly what Cori Kennedy did on The Voice.
The 28-year-old from Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota, went from catching pitches on the field to catching hearts on national television. Once a standout athlete for Minnesota State University, Mankato, Kennedy helped her team clinch the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship. Today, she’s trading in her gloves for a guitar — and the world is taking notice.
From the Diamond to the Stage
Kennedy played four seasons with the Mavericks from 2016 to 2019, appearing in over 200 games and building an impressive career batting average of .294. After her playing days, she found a new rhythm — not on the field, but in her music.
She started sharing her songs and hitting lessons online, quickly going viral for her blend of humor, heart, and authenticity. But nothing could have prepared fans for her latest viral moment — her unforgettable Voice audition.
A Two-Chair Turn — and a Song Straight from the Heart
Taking the stage on Monday night, Kennedy delivered a stunning rendition of “Why Not Me” by The Judds, earning chair turns from Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé.
But it wasn’t just her powerhouse vocals that stole the show — it was what came next.
“I actually wrote a song about meeting the four of you,” she told the coaches with a smile. Snoop Dogg grinned and said, “Give it to me, girl!”
Then Kennedy began to sing:
“I’m just a girl from a zero stoplight town, Minnesota roots and wearing hand-me-downs, From dreaming in the dark, I stepped out and rejoiced, My grandma won’t believe me that I’m singing on The Voice.”
Each verse paid tribute to a different coach — Snoop, Reba, Niall, and Bublé — blending humor and heart in equal measure.
“Snoop, I didn’t grow up on your rhythm or your rhyme, But I know, so I think we’ll be just fine. Ms. Reba, you raised me right on the sitcom screen, My redhead fancy queen.”
And for Niall and Bublé:
“Niall, your Irish smile lit up my teenage days, I was only smitten for Harry on my One Direction phase. Mr. Bublé, you sing like a Christmas star, But have you ever jumpstarted a frozen Minnesota car?”
Her original song ended with a line that summed up the night perfectly:
“I’m not sure what I’ve done or why they even picked me, I must be doing something right — I’m singing on NBC.”
Tears, Laughter, and a Big Decision
The coaches erupted in cheers and laughter, but one reaction stood out — Reba McEntire’s. Fighting back tears, she told Kennedy:
“Oh, it just took me back to Tennessee. Makes me homesick. Your voice is wonderful, such power.”
Even Michael Bublé tried to win her over — flashing socks with Reba’s face printed on them. The gesture earned laughs from everyone, but Kennedy’s mind was already made up.
With a confident smile, she declared:
“It’s Reba every day, all day!”
And with that, Cori Kennedy officially joined Team Reba — turning her small-town dreams into a nationwide story of heart, humor, and undeniable talent.
