Country Star Admits She Was Rejected From ‘The Voice’ And ‘American Idol’

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Becoming one of the hottest country acts to hit the charts, it wasn’t always an easy climb to the top.

Known for her raspy voice and unique sound, the “My Church” singer/songwriter opened up to Rolling Stone about her long bout of rejection that included two of the biggest singing competitions in the world.

Maren Morris is just 26, but she’s already had her fair share of rejection, so she’s enjoying the rapid swells of success she’s experiencing with her major-label debut album, Hero.

As she confessed, it wasn’t just The Voice and American Idol that rejected her, but others too – and she didn’t make the cut for any of them.

“I think about all of the freaking talent shows I’ve tried out for in my life,” she says. “And I’m so glad I didn’t make any of them.”

Obviously she must have some true grit in her for continuing on, because was she not only rejected from other small-time talent shows, but also was sent packing by the ringleaders of the singing competition circus.

“It’s full circle, because I was rejected from The Voice. I was rejected from American Idol,” Morris continued. “And I’m happier for it now.”

She’s not the only singer to have been rejected and then emerge later at the top of the charts – and she’s certainly appreciating the freedom she’s had during the time she would have spent embroiled in mandatory performances and cut-throat vocal battles.

Her first single, “My Church” was released in January and later soared its way to the top of the charts landing squarely at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.

She’s also been picked as one of the supporting acts for Keith Urban’s ripCORD Tour that kicked off at the beginning of June.

Watch Maren Morris sing her hit single, “My Church” at the CMA Awards below.