Country Stars Who Triumphed After The Voice Snubs

Before they were chart-topping, award-winning country music icons, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, and Lainey Wilson all had something else in common: rejection from popular television singing competitions. Far from dimming their stars, these early "no's" seem to have fueled their fire, leading to impressive careers and, in a twist of fate, a degree of vindication.

Maren Morris, a name synonymous with modern country success, faced a trifecta of turn-downs, being rejected by The Voice, American Idol, and America's Got Talent. Fast forward, and Morris boasts a Grammy Award, while aspiring contestants on the very shows that said “no” now perform her hit songs during auditions, earning her royalties. Talk about sweet revenge!

Luke Combs, the baseball cap wearing, beer-drinking, Everyman of country, also had a brush with The Voice. After singing a John Legend tune and making it through initial producer rounds, he was famously informed he wasn't considered "interesting enough for TV." That opinion looks particularly short-sighted now, given Combs’ meteoric rise to superstardom with a string of number one hits.

Not to be outdone in perseverance, Lainey Wilson holds the remarkable record of seven rejections from The Voice. Despite these repeated setbacks before even reaching the televised blind auditions, Wilson's talent was undeniable. Her journey came full circle recently when she was invited back to perform on The Voice's Season 25 finale. In a truly memorable moment during the broadcast, coach Reba McEntire surprised Wilson with an emotional invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

These stories serve as a fun reminder that the path to success in the music industry is rarely linear, and a little rejection can sometimes be the best motivation.