In the glitzy, high-stakes world of Nashville’s country music scene, where trends shift like the Tennessee wind and industry pressures can mold an artist into someone unrecognizable, Emily Ann Roberts stands as a beacon of authenticity. A decade ago, as a 17-year-old contestant on The Voice Season 9 in 2015, she received advice from her coach, Blake Shelton, that would shape her career: “Don’t let anybody change you.” Those words, simple yet profound, have resonated through the years, guiding Roberts through the ups and downs of an ever-evolving industry. Now, at 27, with gritty new songs, a growing fanbase, and a spot on Shelton’s massive “Back to the Honky Tonk Tour,” Roberts is carving out her own space in country music. Reunited with her mentor, she’s not only staying true to her roots but also learning to connect with thousands as effortlessly as Shelton does. Want to hear the full story behind this powerful mentorship and Emily’s rise? Let’s dive into the journey of a young artist who turned advice into a legacy.

The Voice That Started It All

In 2015, Emily Ann Roberts, a Knoxville, Tennessee native with a voice as clear as the Smoky Mountains, stepped onto The Voice stage as a shy teenager. Her blind audition, a soulful rendition of Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,” earned a four-chair turn from coaches Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Adam Levine, and Pharrell Williams. Choosing Team Blake, Roberts quickly became a standout, her performances of classics like Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and Patty Loveless’ “Blame It on Your Heart” showcasing a maturity beyond her years. She finished as a runner-up, losing to Jordan Smith, but won something far more enduring: Shelton’s mentorship.

During rehearsals, Shelton saw in Roberts a raw talent tethered to her roots. “You’ve got something special, Emily,” he told her, as recounted in a June 2025 iHeartCountry post. “Don’t let anybody change you. Stay true to who you are.” The advice, shared during a pivotal moment when Roberts was navigating Nashville’s allure, struck a chord. “I was just a kid, scared of losing myself,” she told People in May 2025. “Blake’s words were like a compass.” Shelton, a country titan with hits like “Austin” and “God’s Country,” understood the industry’s pressure to conform, having resisted it himself early in his career.

Roberts’ time on The Voice was more than a competition—it was a crucible. Shelton’s guidance, from song selection to stage presence, gave her confidence. “He taught me to sing from my heart,” she said on FM100KTEX’s radio segment, recalling how Shelton encouraged her to embrace her Appalachian twang rather than mimic pop-country trends. This foundation would prove crucial as she faced Nashville’s challenges post-show.

Navigating Nashville’s Rough Waters

After The Voice, Roberts returned to Tennessee, signing with Starstruck Records and later Sony Music Nashville. But the road wasn’t easy. Nashville’s country scene in the late 2010s was dominated by pop-infused stars like Sam Hunt and Maren Morris, and labels often pushed young artists toward a polished, radio-friendly sound. Roberts, with her traditional country roots, faced pressure to “modernize.” “I was told to sound more like this artist or that one,” she told The Bull 101.7 in June 2025. “But Blake’s voice kept echoing: ‘Don’t let anybody change you.’”

She stayed true, drawing inspiration from icons like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. Her 2019 debut EP, Someday Dream, featured heartfelt ballads and bluegrass-tinged tracks, earning praise from Taste of Country for its “unapologetic authenticity.” But commercial success was slow, and Roberts faced rejection from radio stations favoring pop-country hits. “There were moments I doubted myself,” she admitted to People. “I wondered if I was too old-school for Nashville.”

Her persistence paid off. In 2023, she signed with Universal Music Group Nashville, releasing singles like “He Set Her Off” and “Whole Lotta Little,” which blended gritty storytelling with modern production. The tracks, lauded by CMT for their “raw edge,” began climbing charts, with “He Set Her Off” hitting the Top 40 on Billboard’s Country Airplay. Fans on X rallied behind her, with posts like “@EmilyAnnMusic is the real deal—pure country soul!” Her fanbase grew, particularly among listeners craving traditional sounds in a genre often dominated by crossover hits.

The Reunion: Back to the Honky Tonk Tour

In 2025, Roberts’ journey came full circle when she joined Blake Shelton’s “Back to the Honky Tonk Tour,” a 30-city trek featuring openers like Craig Morgan and Lauren Alaina. Announced by Forbes as one of the year’s biggest country tours, it showcased Shelton’s hits alongside his mentorship of rising stars. For Roberts, performing at venues like Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center was a dream realized. “Ten years ago, Blake gave me advice,” she told The Aggie 96. “Now I’m opening for him, learning how he commands a crowd.”

Onstage, Roberts captivated audiences with her smoky vocals and storytelling, performing originals like “Whole Lotta Little” and covers like Parton’s “Jolene.” Shelton, watching from the wings, was visibly proud. “She’s got it,” he told Kicker FM backstage in Nashville. “Emily’s not just singing—she’s connecting, like the greats do.” Her performances, shared on Instagram by @emilyann_music, drew thousands of likes, with fans noting her ease onstage, a stark contrast to the nervous teen of 2015.

Shelton’s mentorship extended beyond the tour. He invited Roberts to his Ole Red bar in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, for a surprise duet of “Honey Bee,” a moment that went viral on X. “That’s my coach!” Roberts captioned, while Shelton posted, “Proud of you, kid.” The tour also offered lessons in audience engagement. “Blake’s a master at making 20,000 people feel like they’re in his living room,” she told Kat 103.7FM. “I’m learning to talk to the crowd, not just sing.”

A Twist of Fate: The Tishomingo Moment

A standout moment came during a June 2025 tour stop in Tishomingo, Shelton’s hometown. A sudden storm forced the outdoor concert indoors to Ole Red, creating an intimate setting. Roberts, unfazed, delivered a raw acoustic set, sharing stories of her Knoxville roots. When Shelton joined her for an impromptu cover of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” the crowd erupted. The moment, captured on video and shared by 981THEBULL, sparked a flood of X posts, with users calling it “country music’s future meeting its heart.”

The incident echoed Shelton’s advice to stay authentic. “I was tempted to go big, add effects,” Roberts told People. “But Blake reminded me: keep it real.” The performance, stripped-down and soulful, resonated with fans, boosting her Spotify streams by 200% that week. It also showcased her growth—from a nervous Voice contestant to a confident artist holding her own beside a legend.

Public Reaction and Cultural Impact

Roberts’ rise has ignited excitement in the country music community. Fans on X praise her authenticity, with posts like “Emily Ann Roberts is bringing back real country!” Her music, rooted in Appalachian traditions, taps into a growing demand for traditional sounds, as seen in the success of artists like Chris Stapleton. Critics, however, note the industry’s bias toward pop-country, with Rolling Stone questioning whether Roberts’ “old-school” style can sustain mainstream appeal. Yet, her growing fanbase—evident in sold-out tour dates and 500,000 Instagram followers—suggests she’s striking a chord.

Shelton’s influence extends beyond Roberts. His advice to Voice contestants like Emily Ann—shared by 975WAMZ as a guiding principle—has shaped a generation of artists. “Blake’s like a big brother,” Roberts told The Bull 101.7. “He checks in, makes sure I’m still me.” This mentorship, rooted in authenticity, mirrors Shelton’s own career, which defied trends to stay true to country roots.

A Legacy in the Making

As The Waterfront Season 2 looms, where Shelton serves as executive producer, and his tour continues, Roberts is poised for stardom. Her upcoming album, teased for 2026, promises more gritty anthems, with a duet with Shelton rumored. “I’m writing from my life,” she told People, hinting at songs about love, loss, and her Tennessee roots. Her connection with fans, honed on tour, reflects Shelton’s knack for relatability—a skill she’s mastered a decade after his advice.

In Nashville, where authenticity is both currency and challenge, Emily Ann Roberts is a testament to staying true. Shelton’s words—“Don’t let anybody change you”—have guided her through industry pressures, leading to a sound that’s hers alone. As one X user put it, “Emily’s the future of country, and Blake’s her North Star.” With her mentor by her side and a stage to conquer, Roberts is proving that in country music, heart and roots always win.