The Voice reveals celebrity ‘Mega Mentor’ for Season 23

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The Voice season 23 coaches Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Niall Horan

When “The Voice” returns on March 6, 2023, the show will not only have two new judges, but also its first celebrity “mega-mentor.” Season 23 of the NBC talent show will bring back coaches Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton, who has announced it will be his last season, as well as new coaches Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan.

On February 22, NBC announced via press release that it will also bring in country legend Reba McEntire as a “mega mentor,” advising contestants who made it through the battle rounds on how to prepare for the knockouts. It won’t be her first time on The Voice, but there will be an interesting on-screen reunion between her and Clarkson, who used to be McEntire’s daughter-in-law. Here’s what you need to know:

Reba McEntire turned down an offer to coach The Voice during its first season

GettyReba McEntire at the CMA Awards in November 2022

The blind auditions for season 23 of “The Voice” were taped in fall 2022 and according to Entertainment Blogger MJ Santillithe Battle Rounds took place in January 2023 in front of a live audience. Replays of the knockout rounds with McEntire have not yet been announced, but NBC says they will air April 17.

In its announcement, NBC said McEntire had “unprecedented success” in her country music career, with 35 number-one singles and more than 58 million albums sold worldwide. She holds the record for most top 10 hits among female artists, which she recently earned 60. Top 10 country hit on the Billboard charts.

McEntire’s appearance marks the return of the mega mentor role, as Season 22 didn’t have one. During season 21, in the fall of 2021, the role was cast by Ed Sheeran. NBC said it was appropriate for McEntire to return in Shelton’s final season as she served as a battle advisor to Team Blake during the show’s inaugural season.

After Taste of CountryWhen NBC was first developing The Voice, McEntire was the producers’ first choice for the coaching seat, which Shelton eventually filled. On February 1st She told Entertainment Tonight that she remembers turning down the offer.

She said: “I’ve had (a look at) the Dutch version of ‘The Voice’. They sent it to me and I said, ‘I can’t imagine it.’ Because, you know, I’m a gypsy at heart.”

McEntire felt the schedule was too tight for her with so much time required for recording and live shows in Los Angeles. When ET asked who she thought should take his chair for 23 seasons, she wasn’t sure.

“To fill Blake’s chair? Wow. It’s going to be tough,” McEntire said. “He did a great job and kudos to him.”

Reba McEntire will reunite with former daughter-in-law Kelly Clarkson on screen

GettyKelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire perform at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards in April 2018

McEntire’s return to The Voice will also serve as an on-screen reunion for her and Clarkson, who was formerly her daughter-in-law. According to Us WeeklyMcEntire was married to producer Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015. But after their divorce, she remained close to her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who married Clarkson in 2013. The divorced couple separated in 2020 and went through a controversial divorce.

in October 2021, McEntire said Extra, “You know, I love them both. Brandon is my stepson, Kelly is my good friend. I draw for both. I hope they are happy and healthy and pull through this.”

Rather than say at the time if she gave Clarkson any advice to get through the divorce, McEntire said, “I pray everyone gives them the encouragement they can because they need it now, both are doing it. I love them both with all my heart.”

Clarkson and Blackstock’s divorce was not finalized until March 2022. loud people, when the singer and talk show host agreed to pay her ex-husband a one-off payment of just over $1.3 million and monthly child support payments of $45,601 per month for their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander.

Though Clarkson hasn’t spoken publicly about her relationship with McEntire since the divorce, she has mentioned her former mother-in-law on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Like when she shared old photos of them meeting country music stars Shania Twain and Faith Hill.