Lainey Wilson Receives Grand Ole Opry Invitation From Reba McEntire On 'The Voice' Season 25 Finale

Lainey Wilson received a surprise from Reba McEntire following her impressive performance in the finale of "The Voice" Season 25.

Wilson was among the musicians who performed at the finale of the singing reality competition TV series, alongside Jelly Roll, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban. She rocked the stage in her trademark bell-bottom pants paired with a black bandeau top, matching blazer and ever-present cowboy hat.

Following her killer performance of "Hang Tight Honey," she was offered by coach McEntire the opportunity to be a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry, Life & Style reported.

The Grand Ole Opry is a regular live country-music radio broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded on Nov. 28, 1925, and has continued to flourish for nearly a century.

Opry members have become today's legends and superstars. Its new members continue its commitment to music. The current members include McEntire, Blake Shelton, Urban, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton and more. However, the Opry doesn't just pass out invitations as the management looks for a "musical and a generational balance."

"Opry membership requires a passion for country music's fans, a connection to the music's history, and it requires commitment -- even a willingness to make significant sacrifices to uphold that commitment," a statement on its website read. "Often, the Opry seeks out those who seek out the Opry, though decisions aren't based on which artists appear most on the show, either."

Wilson has a huge year after winning the Grammy for Best Country Album and the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Country Artist. However, she revealed in May 2023, after she performed in the "American Idol" Season 21 finale, that she endured multiple rejections from the show.

"I finally made it on 'American Idol,'" she said after her performance, per Life & Style. "I tried out seven times. I took the long way around, but I finally made it on 'American Idol.' I never made it through. I never made it past the first round."

"American Idol" judge Luke Bryan was surprised by her confession and assured her that it wasn't always her fault because "we don't always get it right."

Last year, Wilson won four trophies at the 2023 ACM Awards. In an interview with People, she shared that she had been preparing for music stardom since she was 9.

"I've known that this is my calling, and there's nothing else that I want to do, that I can do. I've always just been like, 'No plan B, this is it,'" the "Heart Like a Truck" singer said.

"I feel like that time that I've had to prepare, I don't know... If it happened when I wanted it to, I don't know that I would have been ready."

Wilson's big break came in 2020 when she made her debut at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, and her single "Things a Man Oughta Know" became a hit.

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