Kelsea Ballerini first occupied the big red chair during season 15 of The Voice. She returned the next season to temporarily fill in for coach Kelly Clarkson. Now the “Dibs” singer, 31, is preparing to make her debut as a full-time coach when season 27 kicks off Monday, Feb. 3. It’s one of those “full-circle” moments for Ballerini, 31, who has credited the inaugural American Idol champ for her musical career. She recently shared this story again with fellow coaches Michael Bublé, John Legend, and Adam Levine.
Videos by American Songwriter
Kelly Clarkson Gave Kelsea Ballerini the Courage to Move to Nashville
As the season 27 premiere draws closer, the latest coaching lineup sat down together to swap industry stories and personal anecdotes. Kelsea Ballerini recounted being 12 years old and seeing Kelly Clarkson live when the “Stronger” singer made a stop in Nashville during her Behind These Hazel Eyes Tour.
As Clarkson sang, she stood onstage below two video screens of her own hazel eyes, which would cry, close or wink depending on the song. A preteen Ballerini had recently uncovered a love for songwriting. Seeing Clarkson in action, the realization dawned that her passion could become more than simply a fun hobby.
“I was having this moment as a little kiddo, and I looked up to these screen eyes of Kelly Clarkson, and they winked,” she said. “In my soul, I really believed that Kelly Clarkson told me I was supposed to move to Nashville.”
She did just that three years later. Her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” first put her on the country music map in late 2014. Ballerini’s 2015 studio debut, The First Time, spawned a trio of No. 1 singles.
“It’s A Full Circle Moment”
The Grammy nominee says that Kelly Clarkson is well aware of her role in Ballerini’s story. “She’s weirdly kind of been consistent throughout my whole career,” Kelsea Ballerini said. “She started it for me.”
Veteran coach John Legend then pointed out that Ballerini first appeared on The Voice as a sub for Clarkson. “Oh, my God. It’s a full circle moment,” declared Michael Bublé.
Watch Kelsea Ballerini make her coaching debut on The Voice on Monday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. Central on NBC.
Featured image by Trae Patton/NBC
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.