WATCH: The Endearing Moment The Voice USA Contestant, Robert Hunter, Chooses Kelsea Ballerini as His Mentor - with a Little Help From His Daughter

It's safe to say Kelsea Ballerini has been settling comfortably into her new role as one of The Voice USA judges, with the ‘Baggage’ singer-songwriter already a hit with viewers.

In the latest episode of Season 27 of the hit talent show, Ballerini and her fellow panel members - John Legend, Adam Levine and Michael Bublé - were treated to a live-wire performance of Cody Johnson's motivational anthem, ‘Til You Can't’, by Robert Hunter.

The country-leaning contestant impressed both the judges and the audience, with Robert Hunter securing a coveted couple of chair-turns from Kelsea Ballerini and Michael Bublé.

Immediately, given Robert Hunter's grounding in the world of country music, Kelsea Ballerini tried to lay claim to him, as she attempted to convince Hunter to join her team.

This prompted Kelsea Ballerini to start serenading Robert Hunter with Brooks and Dunn's ‘90s country classic, ‘Neon Moon’, as she explained what she'd be looking for from him in the next round. Despite championing how Ballerini has “a beautiful voice”, Michael Bublé emphasised that he wasn't giving up without a fight, with the ‘Haven't Met You Yet’ crooner free-styling a hilarious ode to ‘Cowboys in Calgary’.

Heartwarmingly, as Robert Hunter weighed up his options, he invited his wife and daughter up on-stage, before pointedly asking the latter who her favourite artist of all time is.

His daughter, Mary Blake, endearingly responded, “Kelsea Ballarina”, before heralding Ballerini's much-loved hit, ‘IF YOU GO DOWN (I'M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)’, as her No. 1 song.

This made it clear who Robert Hunter's choice of judge was going to be, with Kelsea Ballerini running up to the family to give them all hugs and thank Mary Blake for her pivotal input.

Hilariously, in a post-audition interview, the Knoxville chart-topper quipped, “I mean, can we talk about what happened? Robert's daughter made the best choice. I think she said ‘Kelsea Ballerina’, so I'm now officially changing my name. She could've said ‘Broccoli’, and I would have gone by ‘Broccoli’. I can't wait to work with all of them”.

The next episode of The Voice USA airs via NBC at 8/7c on Monday, March 3rd 2025, with the four coaches listening to the final round of Blind Auditions. Each new episode is then made available to stream via Peacock the day after it's initially broadcast.

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