Kelly Clarkson recently shared how she feels about Camila Cabello taking her place as a coach on season 22 of NBC’s The Voice.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Clarkson said she thinks Cabello will “excel” at her new role.
“I think she’s gonna just excel in that situation. I think she’s very comfortable in her skin and I think that’s what it takes to be a coach and to be able to coach people,” Clarkson said. “You have to be comfortable first and foremost. So I think she’s gonna do well and I hope she kicks [Blake’s] ass.”
In addition, Clarkson offered some advice to Cabello on how to deal with–and sit next to–fellow Voice coach, Blake Shelton.
“Good luck with that,” Clarkson told Cabello, adding, “Bring a shield.”
News that Clarkson would not be returning as a coach on season 22 of The Voice broke in May, leaving many fans outraged. Some fans were so upset about Clarkson’s exit that they even threatened to boycott the show on social media.
“No offense to the other coaches and producers, but Kelly Clarkson was the sole reason I watched The Voice,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
No offense to the other coaches and producers, but Kelly Clarkson was the sole reason I watched The Voice.
— Team Kelly Clarkson (@PieceByPiece_KC) May 15, 2022
Prior to the official announcement, Clarkson hosted an online Q&A via her talk show’s Instagram account where she hinted that she wouldn’t return to the popular singing competition.
“I’ve decided this year there’s just [going to] be a couple changes for me that I can’t say here,” Clarkson shared. “But there are a couple of things happening. I’ve been able to make more time just for me and my kiddos and still be able to work. Just where we can get away on weekends and really do some fun stuff with my kids.”
More recently, Clarkson explained her decision to step away from The Voice on The TODAY Show. Clarkson said that she hasn’t taken any real time off since she was 16.
“[I] hadn’t had a minute, and it’s obviously been a rough couple of years. So, it was really important to me to shut down for a minute,” she shared.
Despite not returning to The Voice, Clarkson is staying busy with her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, which kicked off earlier this month. Clarkson is also working on new music and recently teased that she may be hitting the road in the near future.
The Voice returns to NBC on Sept. 19 and airs at 8pm EST.
