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Who is Karen Waldrup? Internet slams 'The Voice' after Dan + Shay blocks Reba McEntire for singer 'touring for years'

'The Voice' Season 25 fans slam NBC for getting 'well established' singers on show giving them edge over new artists

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dan + Shay used their one block on Reba McEntire to get Karen Waldrup for their squad! Fans of 'The Voice' Season 25 have expressed unhappiness with the show's decision to bring in well-known artists who have been "touring for years."

Karen had a viral moment singing online that boosted her career, but now she could boost her name even more with a version of "Bye Bye." It didn't take long for Dan + Shay to exact their revenge on Reba by clicking the block button while turning their chairs for Karen.

Dan + Shay were an obvious choice this time because John Legend and Chance the Rapper were both out. Reba thought it was an excellent music choice and expressed disappointment that she was unable to compete. John wanted Karen to understand that Dan + Shay used their lone block on her as a "sign of respect".

Amidst the block-revenge, fans took to X, to slam the network for bringing in singers with establishing careers. One person wrote, "Why do artists that are already touring and have music released allowed to be on the Voice? Makes NO sense. I thought this was suppose to be for NEW artists More and more this happens on the show. Why????" Another user chimed in, "I’m a bit confused….. Yes she’s good but she’s been touring for years! I thought this was for folks that are NOT already in the profession? Don’t want to be mean, just wondering?"

One user sighed, "She’s already been touring." A fourth user asked, "Is this season for people that are semi established? I’m confused." 

One user also tweeted, "I thought #TheVoice was for new artists and a lot of this years artists seem to already have a career."

'The Voice' star Karen Waldrup has been performing on stage for over 10 years

Karen relocated to Nashville to pursue a professional singing career. She's been performing for ten years and recently became popular on social media with her version of Lee Ann Womack's 'I Hope You Dance.' Her career is progressing, but she wants 'The Voice' to propel her to the next level. Karen feels that country music was at its peak in the 1990s, and she looks up to Reba.

'The Voice' star Karen Waldrup has half a dozen albums available to stream

Karen defines herself on Instagram as a Louisiana-born, inspiring singer who has already recorded a number of remarkable country songs. She was 24 years old and residing in Nashville when she finished in the top ten of the songwriting show 'Platinum Hit' in 2011.

Karen has two albums and at least a half-dozen EPs accessible on streaming platforms. The albums include 'Justified' (2018) and 'Kendall Country Road' (2023). A version of Lee's 'I Hope You Dance' by the former has approximately 500,000 Spotify plays. It is one of six Karen tracks that have received at least 100,000 streams on the platform.

And there's an interesting story behind the song 'Normandy' from her 2023 album. She collaborated on the song with D-Day veteran Jim Martin after being invited to play on his 100th birthday. Karen later sang the song for him on his 101st birthday. Unfortunately, he died two days after the album's release, but Karen sang the song again at his funeral.

Another of her compositions, 2018's "Tell Them We Lived," was inspired by her work with Mission of Hope and a trip she took to Haiti, where she performed music with two other musicians. Karen told Canvas Rebel that she was so struck by the poverty among the people that she organized a fundraiser that resulted in the construction of two homes. Don't be shocked if Karen discusses vintage country on the broadcast. Among her most popular TikTok versions are "Harper Valley PTA" and Reba's "Fancy."

Karen Waldrup collaborated with 'The Voice' alum Wendy Moten

Karen's most recent single, and another piece of track from the 2023 album, is 'Nothing Is Impossible,' a collaboration with Wendy Moten, a Season 21 contestant on 'The Voice'. According to Karen, "It’s a song about going after your dreams, and believing in your dreams no matter what gets in the way."

'The Voice' Season 25 airs on NBC at 8 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. The episodes will be available on Peacock on demand the next day. The streaming site also includes entire episodes from the show's prior seasons.