What is Lainey Wilson's role in The Voice season 26? Details explored

Lainey Wilson, an award-winning country music artist, has joined The Voice season 26 as a Playoff Advisor for Team Reba. Her appearance aired on November 25, 2024, on NBC.

In this key role, Wilson collaborates with coach Reba McEntire to mentor contestants during the Playoffs. This stage is where contestants compete to secure a spot in the live shows, requiring them to deliver polished and impactful performances in The Voice.

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Lainey Wilson's role in The Voice season 26

As The Voice Playoff Advisor for Reba McEntire’s team, Lainey Wilson provides guidance and feedback to contestants. The Playoffs are a pivotal phase of The Voice, where the competition intensifies, and contestants perform their best material to remain in the running.

Wilson's involvement ensures that McEntire's team members receive valuable insights and strategies to refine their performances. In an environment where contestants are under immense pressure, Wilson’s perspective as a seasoned artist is crucial.

Her collaboration with Reba McEntire in The Voice combines two generations of country music talent, offering contestants a comprehensive learning experience. Wilson's focus is on helping participants connect emotionally with their songs, an approach she described as vital to any performance.

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Lainey Wilson's journey and career

Lainey Wilson performs onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards (image via Getty)

Lainey Wilson's journey to becoming a country music sensation began at the age of 9, during a visit to the Grand Ole Opry. Watching performers on the iconic Nashville stage was a transformative experience for her. In an interview in June 2020, Wilson told The Boot,

“I just remember looking up there, being like, ‘Man, I wanna do that....When I stepped foot in that circle, it was all over. I just started crying.”

Inspired by this pivotal moment, Lainey Wilson began writing songs and practicing guitar. In high school, she performed as Hannah Montana to build her stage presence.

After graduating, she moved to Nashville, living in a camper outside a recording studio with free water and electricity. Despite limited resources, she worked hard, releasing music independently until she gained industry recognition.

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Wilson's early years were shaped by her upbringing in Baskin, Louisiana, a small town with only 250 people. Raised by her father, a farmer, and her mother, a schoolteacher, Wilson was immersed in country music from a young age. The family often listened to classic country artists like Buck Owens and Glen Campbell, and Wilson described country music as a fundamental part of her life.

She shared in an interview with The Advocate in 2021, saying,

"Country music for me and my family, it was more than music. We lived the words to those songs."

Wilson’s big break came in 2020 with the release of her single Things a Man Oughta Know, which became a chart-topping hit. The song reached number one on the American country songs chart and solidified her place in the country music scene.

Her success was propelled by a string of accomplishments, including seven Country Music Association Awards, a Grammy Award, and six Academy of Country Music Awards.

In addition to her music career, Wilson has ventured into acting, joining the cast of the popular TV show Yellowstone. Her talents as a songwriter, performer, and actress have made her a household name, and she continues to garner attention for her distinct blend of country music that incorporates elements of pop, southern rock, and contemporary influences.

Lainey Wilson on NBC's "Today" (Image via Getty)

Wilson’s unique style, described as "bell-bottom country," reflects her ability to blend traditional sounds with modern sensibilities, earning her recognition as a rising star in country music. She has credited Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack as major influences on her career, and she continues to pay homage to them in her music, such as in her self-composed track WWDD (What Would Dolly Do).

Her most recent work includes the 2024 release of her fifth album Whirlwind, which was preceded by the single "Hang Tight Honey". As she continues to break boundaries, Lainey Wilson remains a force in both country music and popular culture.

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Fans of the show can expect to see Wilson’s influence on the performances as contestants aim to secure their place in the next stage of the competition in The Voice season 26.

Lainey Wilson’s episode as a Playoff Advisor in The Voice aired on today, November 25, 2024, at 8/7c on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.