25-03-2025
‘The Voice' star Hailey Wright survives battle round, advances to knockout
TEXARKANA, Ar. (KTAL/KMSS) – Hailey Wright, a rising country star, has been a contestant on 'The Voice' since her blind audition first aired in February, but less than a month later, her journey nearly ended.
Hailey was pitted against her teammate Jaelen Johnston under coach/judge Kelsea Ballerini on night two of Season 27's Battle Round. They went head-to-head with a rendition of Brooks & Dunn's 'Neon Moon.'
When faced with choosing who would advance to the next round, Kelsea picked Johnston, but as Hailey walked off the stage after thanking her coach, Kelsea was not ready to say goodbye. Kelsea used her only 'save' of the Battle round to keep Hailey on her team.
'That was mind-blowing,' Wright said. 'I was not expecting it. I was almost back to Texas, I thought. I'm so appreciative for her and for her using her one and only save on me.'
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Being on The Voice has brought Hailey attention from fans around the country. While it is a lot to soak in, she says she is trying to stay humble and true to herself.
'I've always been a shy person,' Wright said. 'Keep to myself and don't talk to anybody unless spoken to. Having to open myself up more to be on stage and speak during interviews and things like that has helped me discover this other element of myself where I can be more open to the world and show people who I actually am.'
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hailey got in touch with her Native American roots. She discovered that her great-grandmother was a full-blooded Choctaw.
'I think that it's helped me discover who I am, and that's a big factor in performing in general,' Wright said. 'So, to know more about my background and family tree and where I come from definitely has helped me become more in tune with myself to know how to perform better.'
While country music is Hailey's passion, she does not want to confine herself to it.
'I absolutely love classic country and the country music world, but I try not to box myself into one genre because I think I'm so much more than that. I love to sing pop and rock and outside of my genre all the time.'
Hailey says she is taken aback by the support from her fans back home and is excited to continue playing in front of them.
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'I'm just gonna go out there with my head held high,' said Wright. 'I'm gonna do what I do best and be passionate about it on the stage. The support of the community has just been phenomenal. It's out of this world.'
Hailey's next stop will be in Texarkana, Ar., where fans can expect a heavy dose of classic and modern country music mixed with other genres.
'I try to have something for everyone in the audience because not everybody wants to listen to country,' Wright said. 'So I'll have some pop, some rock, maybe some blues too because I want everybody to hear something that they like.'
You can see Hailey Wright on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at Hopkins Icehouse, 301 East 3rd St in Texarkana, Ar.
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