Kenna Elpers walked onto The Voice Season 30 knowing exactly which coach she wanted.
The 23-year-old singer had already shared the stage with Riley Green in 2023, when she opened for the country star at a music festival. So when she auditioned for the NBC singing competition, she was hoping for a chance to join his team.
Elpers even brought a special reminder of their previous meeting with her. Green had given her a signed koozie when she opened for him, and she carried it onto The Voice with hopes of eventually using it to celebrate a win.
Kenna has loved country music since she was just 3 years old. Her official website says she has worked with several artists she admires, including Jameson Rodgers, Maddie & Tae, Craig Campbell, Dylan Scott, and Green.
She has also spent years building her own career as a singer, songwriter, and musician. Elpers released her first EP in 2018 and has since released original music on platforms including Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music. Her most recent release, Head Out Heart, came out in November 2023.
The Evansville native has performed for large crowds at venues including Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and appeared on Local Lifestyles in 2019.
Kenna Elpers auditions with Chris Stapleton’s White Horse
When it was finally time for her Blind Audition, Elpers chose Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” in an effort to show Green that she belonged on his country team.
Green did turn his chair during the performance, as did Queen Latifah.
Both coaches, however, noticed that Elpers appeared nervous while singing.
“You’re amazing,” Queen Latifah told her. “I turned my chair really quickly.”
Rather than seeing the nerves as a major concern, Queen Latifah encouraged Elpers to move past them and focus on the competition ahead.
“You got your nerves out, now you’re ready for the rest of this competition,” she said.
Green agreed, telling Elpers, “I think that’s something you can definitely beat.”
The other coaches also got involved in the conversation. Adam Levine joked that Green was “the better looking Blake Shelton,” prompting Green to ask, “Can we put that on my chair?”
Queen Latifah then made her own pitch.
“Country is Riley’s wheelhouse, but I know good singing and good performing and I’d love to have you on my team,” she said.
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Kenna Elpers chooses Riley Green
The decision became much easier once Elpers revealed her history with Green.
After learning that she had previously opened for the country singer, Kelly Clarkson jokingly told Queen Latifah, “Well, Queen, it was a nice ride.”
Green also seemed confident about where things were headed.
“I don’t really know what else we need to talk about,” he joked.
As expected, Elpers chose Riley Green as her coach, joining Team Riley for the next stage of the competition.
Queen Latifah later admitted that Green had a major advantage because of his connection to country music and his history with Elpers.
“Riley is so tough to beat with country, and of course she had a country connection,” she said. “What I’ve come to learn is you’ve got to throw out koozies and all kind of stuff at concerts.”
Green had a simple response.
“I’ve threw out a lot of koozies over the years,” he joked.
Kenna has another chance after American Idol
The Voice is not Elpers’ first major singing competition. She previously auditioned for American Idol Season 19 but did not make it beyond Hollywood Week.
Now, she has another opportunity to compete on a major television singing show, with the added twist of already knowing one of the coaches.
Elpers also reflected on the support she has received from her hometown while speaking with 14 News.
“The support has been unreal,” she said. “Everybody in this town, my family, my friends, I think just seeing how we can all come together in a moment of celebration and excitement.”
“It means a lot and that’s all I ever want music to do, is to bring us all together,” she added.
With her country background, previous experience performing with Green, and a signed koozie that made its way onto the Voice stage, Elpers now begins the next chapter of her competition journey as a member of Team Riley.
