The Voice Shock: 5 Reasons Morgan Wallen Is Thankful He Lost Season 6

It's an irony lost on no one: one of the biggest, most commercially successful names in modern country music, Morgan Wallen, was eliminated during the playoff rounds of a major singing competition. As of December 2025, Wallen is a certified cultural phenomenon, shattering streaming records and dominating charts, yet his run on NBC's *The Voice* remains a fascinating footnote in his trajectory. The truth is, his brief stint on the show in 2014—and his subsequent failure to win—was arguably the catalyst for his extraordinary, independent rise to stardom, a fact he himself has acknowledged. This deep dive revisits the pivotal moments of his time on the show, the coaches he worked with, and the surprising reasons why his early exit ultimately paved the way for him to become the global superstar he is today. The journey from a 20-year-old hopeful to a stadium-filling artist is a powerful lesson in how losing one battle can help you win the war.

Morgan Wallen: Full Biography and Profile

Morgan Cole Wallen is an American country music singer and songwriter who has become one of the best-selling and most influential artists of his generation. His unique blend of country, pop, and hip-hop influences has resonated globally, making him a dominant force in the music industry.

• Full Name: Morgan Cole Wallen
• Born: May 13, 1993
• Age (as of 2025): 32
• Birthplace: Sneedville, Tennessee
• Parents: Tommy Wallen and Lesli Wallen
• Siblings: Three younger sisters, Ashlyne, Mikaela, and Lacey
• Son: Indigo "Indie" Wallen (born July 10, 2020)
• Debut Album: *If I Know Me* (2018)
• Breakthrough Album: *Dangerous: The Double Album* (2021)
• The Voice Season: Season 6 (2014)
• The Voice Coaches: Usher and Adam Levine

The Unexpected Journey: Wallen’s Time on The Voice Season 6

In 2014, a 20-year-old Morgan Wallen auditioned for the sixth season of *The Voice*. He was a relative unknown from Sneedville, Tennessee, with a background in baseball before an injury shifted his focus to music.

The Blind Audition and Team Usher

Wallen's Blind Audition saw him perform the song "Collide" by Howie Day. His voice, which was notably softer and less country-twanged than his later style, was enough to earn a chair turn from Usher. He automatically joined Team Usher, marking his official entry into the competition. During this stage, his musical identity was still being shaped, leading him to cover songs that weren't strictly country.

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The Steal and Team Adam Levine

The next major hurdle was the Battle Rounds. Wallen performed "Story of My Life" by the boy band One Direction. While he was defeated in the battle, his talent was recognized by another coach, Adam Levine, who used his "Steal" to bring Wallen onto Team Adam. This move kept his journey alive, but it also placed him firmly outside the guidance of the show's resident country expert, Blake Shelton.

The Playoff Elimination

Wallen's run ended during the Playoff Rounds. For his final performance, he sang the Florida Georgia Line hit "Stay." Despite a solid performance, he failed to advance to the final live shows and was eliminated from the competition. At the time, it was a disappointment, but in retrospect, this early exit proved to be the most critical moment of his career.

5 Reasons Why Losing The Voice Was the Best Thing for Morgan Wallen

The story of Morgan Wallen is often cited as a prime example of how reality singing competitions aren't the only path to success—and sometimes, they can even be a hindrance. His elimination was a blessing in disguise, allowing him to forge a career on his own terms.

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1. Freedom to Define His Own Sound

On *The Voice*, Wallen was steered toward pop and rock-leaning covers, such as One Direction. His elimination freed him from the show's format and the pressure to fit a specific mold. Shortly after, he signed with Panacea Records and moved to Nashville, where he could fully embrace the authentic country sound that fans now know and love. This independent path allowed him to develop the unique "Tennessee-meets-hip-hop" style that defines his hits like "Wasted on You" and "Last Night."

2. Avoiding the 'Reality Star' Label

Many winners of *The Voice* struggle to transition from a reality TV star to a credible, long-term artist. By being eliminated early, Wallen avoided the intense, immediate scrutiny and label-driven pressure that often follows a win. He was able to build his career organically, starting with a strong publishing deal and consistent touring, which built a loyal fanbase from the ground up.

3. The 'One That Got Away' Endorsement

The biggest compliment to Wallen's post-show success came from country music icon and former *The Voice* coach, Blake Shelton. Shelton publicly stated that Wallen was "the one that got away" from the show. This high-profile endorsement from a genre legend gave Wallen a stamp of approval that was far more valuable than a show title. It highlighted his talent and created a compelling narrative of an artist who was too big for the competition.

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4. Cultivating a Stronger Identity

Wallen’s iconic look—the mullet, the cut-off t-shirts, and the rebellious attitude—was not fully formed during his time on *The Voice*. The show’s production often dictates an artist's image. After leaving, Wallen was free to develop his distinct, unapologetic personal brand, which became a significant part of his appeal and helped him stand out in a crowded country music landscape.

5. The Power of Gratitude and Perspective

In interviews, Wallen has expressed genuine relief and gratitude for not winning. He stated that had he won, he would have been locked into a contract and a career path that might not have been right for him at that age. He believes his early exit allowed him the time to grow, mature, and enter the industry on his own terms, leading to the record-breaking success of his albums, including *Dangerous* and *One Thing at a Time*.

Morgan Wallen's experience on *The Voice* is a profound case study. It wasn't a failure; it was a necessary detour. His elimination during the Playoff Rounds of Season 6 provided the perfect platform for him to gain initial visibility, only to be released to the wild where he could truly flourish. The fact that he is now one of the most streamed artists globally, years after his elimination, proves that sometimes, the biggest wins happen outside the spotlight.