It only took one song for Cori Kennedy to win over The Voice coaches — and a second, original tune to make them fall completely in love with her.
The 28-year-old country singer from small-town Minnesota performed The Judds’ “Why Not Me” during her Blind Audition on September 29, 2025. Her heartfelt delivery earned chair turns from Reba McEntire and Michael Bublé. But Kennedy wasn’t finished. Smiling shyly, she asked if she could sing a little song she had written for the judges themselves.
What happened next had the entire panel — McEntire, Bublé, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg — laughing, clapping, and eventually on their feet for a full standing ovation.
A Song for the Coaches
Kennedy’s original tune told her story — a “zero stoplight town” upbringing, Minnesota roots, and a dream come true moment on The Voice. She worked each coach into her lyrics: praising Reba as her “Fancy queen,” teasing Bublé about frozen Minnesota cars, and playfully recalling her One Direction crush on Niall. Even Snoop got a nod, with Kennedy admitting she grew up more on Willie Nelson than hip-hop.
By the final line — “I must be doing something right ’cause I’m singing on NBC” — the crowd and coaches were on their feet.
Snoop shouted in approval, telling future contestants: “Next time you’re on The Voice, come with an original song!”
The Coaches React
Reba McEntire was visibly touched. “I’m just so thrilled to be back on The Voice and to hear your voice on that stage,” she told Kennedy. “It took me right back to Tennessee. Your voice is wonderful — such power.”
Bublé called her sound “country with a touch of Stevie Nicks.” Then, knowing Reba likely had the edge in winning Kennedy over, he made the audience roar with laughter by pulling up his pants to reveal socks covered in Reba McEntire’s face. “These are Reba socks, baby!” he declared.
Snoop, meanwhile, joked about Reba’s dominance: “I call her Reba Magnet-ire. Anytime someone comes out here singing country, I’m gonna lose. And I didn’t want to lose!”
When asked to make her choice, Kennedy confirmed what everyone already suspected — she picked Reba.
A Big Leap to Nashville
Away from the stage, Kennedy’s journey is just as bold. Shortly before the audition aired, she revealed on Instagram that she had quit her 9-to-5 furniture sales job and moved to Nashville to pursue her music full-time.
“This has been on my heart for a while, and it finally feels like the right time to jump in and see what happens,” she wrote. “Here’s to a new chapter and no more desk job!”
What’s Next
With her heartfelt voice, charm, and humor, Kennedy has already stood out in season 28 of The Voice. The Battle Rounds and Knockouts have been pre-filmed, so fans will soon see just how far her journey takes her.
One thing’s for sure — Cori Kennedy has already proven she’s more than just a contestant. She’s a storyteller, an entertainer, and now, officially, a Nashville dreamer chasing something bigger.
