Top four finalist Emily Ann Roberts is the youngest contestant left this Voice season, and she’s also the only female to advance to the finale. And she also almost didn’t make it this far, since she was saved by her coach, Blake Shelton, after the first public vote of the season. Sitting at the legendary Henson Studios while on break from this week’s iTunes duet recording session with Blake (which Yahoo Music’s Reality Rocks can exclusively reveal will be Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream”), she marvels at the bond she and Blake share – hoping to continue that working relationship after the show, as Blake has with one of Emily’s favorite Voice alums, RaeLynn.

Emily may be young, and everyone may be expecting Jordan Smith to win, but don’t count her out just yet. As this exclusive pre-finale chat at Henson Studios shows, this teen runs deep. Watch Emily talk about getting props from Dolly Parton for her “9 to 5” performance; her favorite Season 9 moments; and, in a real treat, her favorite musical memories growing up. Once you hear the stories behind her first album purchase, the first concert she attended, the song she wishes she’d written, her preshow rituals, and more, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Emily’s artistry. Who would have guessed this country girl was such a Tom Waits fan?

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This article originally ran on Yahoo Music.