There truly doesn’t seem to be a celebration big enough for something as incredible as a 5-year-old little girl winning her battle with cancer, but a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry certainly comes close.
Country music singer and Season 9 finalist on NBC’s The Voice, Emily Ann Roberts, got to offer one sweet little girl this monumental moment earlier this week. During her show at the historic Opry stage on Tuesday, September 1, Roberts brought out a young fan named Della Smith to announce to the whole crowd, loud and proud, that she was officially cancer-free.
Wearing her sparkly hot pink dress and matching backpack strapped tight, Della held hands tightly with the “Whipped singer” as she introduced her to everyone, stating, “I have known her for her whole life.” The smiling redhead then shared that she calls Roberts a special nickname, “Millie.”
Heartwarmingly, Roberts then asks Della to share with “all these sweet folks at the grand ole opry the good news” — you can’t tell me this woman isn’t a Disney princess by the way she crouches down to interact with the adorable five-year-old. Of course, bringing on the floodgates of tears, Della tells everyone, “My cancer’s gone,” leading the crowd to erupt in applause and rise from their seats.
Roberts extends the excitement, letting her know, “Miss Della, that is what a standing ovation feels like at the grand ole opry missy; that is so special.” She then notes, “The opry is so special to me because it’s a family, and all these people now they know the fight that you’ve had, they’re so proud of you, and they’re cheering you on.”
I’m not sure how she found the strength to power through the tears, but Roberts returned to the mic like a champ, having to continue performing her show after the touching celebration. The moment also meant a lot to Della’s parents, who spoke with WBIR 10 News, saying, “It truly felt like an out-of-body experience, and it was incredible to watch her. You don’t ever think your daughter at five years old is gonna be on the grand ole opry stage and get a standing ovation.”
Talk about a memory that will surely outlast the tough battle she’s endured over the past year, first being diagnosed with Leukemia back in December 2025. Prior to her big stage announcement, Roberts also brought out Della for her very fitting song “Pretty In Pink,” letting her tiny fan shine as the cutest background dancer for the 2025 single.
Don’t worry if the clip has you rubbing your eyes; the rest of the internet is also just as choked up, filling the comment section with support for Miss Della and sharing their very own updates in their cancer journeys:
As for the once-Team Blake Voice phenomenon, Roberts is hitting the road alongside Thomas Rhett this fall on his 2026 Soundtrack to Life Tour and supporting Cody Johnson for a few dates in the UK starting in late October.