Reba McEntire Joins ‘The Voice’ as New Coach Following Blake Shelton’s Exit
Written by Jessi Entel on May 15, 2023
Reba McEntire is joining NBC’s hit show, ‘The Voice’, again. The “Fancy” singer, 68, will be taking a seat in the famous red rotating chair as a coach in the 24th season of the hit singing competition, the network announced Monday.
McEntire, who is appearing on the current season of ‘The Voice’ as a mega mentor will work along side coaches Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend next season.
This is not McEntire’s first appearance on the show. Back in 2011, during the first season, McEntire was brought in as a battle advisor for Blake Shelton’s team. She appeared in February as a mega mentor to help advise contestants ahead of knockouts.
Reba McEntire. PHOTO: TYLER GOLDEN/NBC VIA GETTY IMAGES
The “I’m a Survivor” singer revealed that she was asked to be a judge on the very first season of ‘The Voice’, but she turned it down. That red chair ended up going to Shelton.
McEntire shared on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’, “It was a very popular show in Holland, I’m pretty sure, and I watched the tape, and I said, ‘No, I’m going to pass on that,’ because I don’t think I could ever be able to tell somebody that they’re terrible or go find another job or hope you like your nighttime job. I couldn’t do that day in and day out. I just couldn’t do it. So I did pass on it.”
She also revealed that she regretted her decision.
“I mean, after you see a very successful show that’s been running, what, 15 years? Uh, yeah!” Said McEntire with a laugh. “I’m like shoot, I should have done that.”
The infamous chair has now come full circle, as McEntire will take the seat when Shelton leaves the series. Shelton plans to leave once the current season wraps, which makes 23 seasons for Team Blake.
Season 24 of ‘The Voice’ will air this fall.
