At 19, Alabama singer Joe Henley never expected a simple online search to change the direction of his life. Before joining The Voice, he had never performed on stage and was preparing to finish high school, continue playing basketball and study overseas. But an audition opportunity eventually sent him to Los Angeles and opened a door he had never imagined.

A Google Search Started Joe Henley’s Journey

Henley grew up in Grand Bay, a small coastal community in Alabama that he describes as a quiet place surrounded by woods.

“There’s not much to it,” he said. “I love it, though.”

He is the son of Bob and Catina Henley. His father is a former Major League Baseball player who now works as the third-base coach for the San Diego Padres. Through his father’s career, Joe had opportunities to travel, but basketball was his own main sporting interest.

He was preparing for his final basketball season at Cottage Hill Christian Academy when he came across an audition announcement for The Voice in the fall of 2025. Surprisingly, he did not find it through social media.

“This is how bad I am at social media and technology, is that I saw the ad on Google,” he explained. “I wasn’t even on like Instagram or TikTok or something. I was on Google. I saw ‘The Voice,’ their actual website. They had a virtual open call to send a video in.”

For his first audition video, Henley chose Vern Gosdin’s 1988 country hit Chiseled in Stone.

“That was about the only thing I had ready,” he said, “so I just went with it.”

The video led to more requests for recordings, Zoom interviews and eventually a flight to Los Angeles.

Traveling alone to Los Angeles was a major step for Henley, who had never flown by himself before. Although he had traveled with his family because of his father’s baseball career, this was a completely different experience.

“It was scary at first,” he recalled. “I mean, of course I was nervous. I’d never been on a plane by myself.”

However, he said the welcoming atmosphere behind the scenes helped him feel more comfortable. The casting crew, contestants and everyone he met made it easier to adjust to the unfamiliar environment.

In February, Henley received another call from producers asking him to return to Los Angeles during the summer for the recorded Blind Auditions. That invitation forced him and his family to reconsider his plans after graduation.

Before the opportunity came along, he had been preparing to study abroad and improve his basketball skills at a university in England or Madrid, Spain.

“I was pretty much settled on going overseas,” he said. “I was thinking [about] a couple universities. There’s one in England and one in Madrid, Spain.”

He also explained that pursuing basketball opportunities in the United States had become difficult because of the competition for college spots and the transfer portal system. After discussing the situation as a family, they decided that taking a gap year would give him time to explore what might happen on the show.

Performing in Front of Riley Green Was a Moment He Never Expected

Henley eventually stepped onto The Voice stage for his Blind Audition, where he performed Travis Tritt’s Anymore. Both Riley Green and Kelly Clarkson turned their chairs, giving him a choice between two coaches.

As a fan of Green’s music, Henley was especially excited to perform in front of the Alabama-born country star. He said he expected to struggle with nerves before singing, but he was surprised by how calm he felt at first.

“I came out and I was expecting to be so nervous. I was like, ‘Man, I gotta prepare to breathe. Hopefully I can get the first note out,’” he recalled.

He managed to begin the song without difficulty. But when he opened his eyes and saw the coaches turn around, his nerves suddenly returned.

“And I opened my eyes and I saw them. All of a sudden, all that went away. And it’s like my heart went to 200 beats per minute,” he said.

The moment became even more memorable when Green jumped up and sang alongside him.

“I was like, ‘Man, I just got through that whole song without my voice cracking, and now I got to do it again,’” Henley said. “But it worked out.”

He ultimately chose Green as his coach, beginning a journey that has continued to surprise him.

Joe Henley Credits Kenna Elpers for Helping Him Win His Battle

After his successful Blind Audition, Henley faced a much more experienced contestant, Kenna Elpers, in the Battle Round. The two performed Riley Green and Ella Langley’s duet Don’t Mind If I Do, with Green and country singer Carly Pearce helping them prepare.

Henley admitted that rehearsals were the most nervous he had felt up to that point. Green and Pearce encouraged Elpers to take the lead and help him improve throughout the process.

Although Green ultimately selected Henley to advance, the young singer said Elpers played a major role in his performance. He also found it difficult to celebrate the victory because he believed she deserved to continue.

“She’s just so good and gracious about how she would work with me,” he said. “She taught me so much. She showed me so much. She helped me with so much, and she was so willing. I mean, it was like the perfect pairing for me.”

Henley admitted that he had not expected to win because of Elpers’ strong voice and professional experience. He also felt guilty when she was eliminated, explaining that much of what he accomplished on stage came from her guidance.

“If I did good, then that’s why: Because she helped,” he said.

The Voice Has Already Changed His Life

Henley has since moved forward to Cut Week, where Riley Green must decide which members of his team will advance directly to the Live Shows. His future on the competition remains uncertain, but the singer said he has already gained something meaningful from the experience.

“The show is such a big thing and such a big platform and such a out-of-the-world experience that it’s just hard to be anywhere but there,” he said. “Especially not having experience before this. I really couldn’t even tell you what that looks like, because I don’t know.”

He also admitted that he has not spent much time imagining a future career in music. For now, he is focused on enjoying the opportunity rather than worrying about what comes next.

“But I think, no matter what, I really do, I think I’ve already kind of won with being here,” he said.

Beyond the competition, Henley hopes viewers will understand what matters most to him when they watch his performances.

“I think if I could say anything, I’d just say my heart’s for the Lord and just want him to be glorified in everything that I do,” he explained. “I’d rather people see him than see me.”

The Voice’s two-hour Cut Week episode airs Monday, November 2, on NBC at 8 p.m. Central. It will be available to stream on Peacock the following day.