The return of The Voice is almost here, with the NBC singing competition show to premiere its 24th season on September 25. As is tradition, the season will kick off with two back to back nights of the show’s signature blind auditions. This season will feature a new lineup of coaches, with the most notable change being the addition of Reba McEntire, who will take her spot in a big red chair for the first time this season after previously serving as a battle advisor during Seasons 1 and 8 and Mega Mentor on Season 23.
For Season 24, McEntire will be joined by returning coaches Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Niall Horan.
Watch The Voice’s New Promotional Clip Below
In a new promo video released on Tuesday aptly titled “Everyone Is Obsessed With New Coach Reba McEntire,” fans got a sneak peek at the country icon’s coaching strategy and some of this season’s contestants.
“What I plan on doing is… I’m channeling Blake [Shelton]. I’m gonna win this sucker,” she said, referencing former The Voice coach Shelton, who was a mainstay on the show since its first season and left following Season 23.
“The Queen Of Country” Reba McEntire To Fill Blake Shelton’s Seat
Stefani shared that she was “so excited” that “the Queen of Country, Reba, was going to be filling Blake’s seat.”
Speaking to her fellow coaches, McEntire said, “I am thrilled to be sitting in Blake’s chair, I hope I do it justice.” Legend joked in response, “Maybe someone can finally class up that chair.”
Speaking to the camera, Legend praised McEntire’s successful career in music and acting. “She’s beloved, she’s got such a magnetic personality,” he said.
“When we talk about icons and legends, not too many are bigger than Reba,” Horan added. “It’s amazing to have her here on Season 24 and I’m so glad that I got to be part of this panel with her.” Horan, who was a first-time coach during Season 23, got to experience McEntire’s coaching in her capacity as a Mega Mentor and said that “watching her with the artists was so impressive. The way she talked through the singing side, the technical side, was priceless.”
John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan Are Also Coaches On The Voice
The chemistry between The Voice‘s coaches is a major part of the show and often includes good-natured teasing, though Legend noted that he’s not sure how he and his fellow coaches will feel about taking jabs at a country music legend.
“She is a legend, she is a queen and we’re all like, ‘How do we fight and compete against Reba?’” he said as the video cut to clips of the four coaches in their chair, McEntire brandishing a scepter as she tried to entice a contestant to join her team.
“It’s super intimidating going head-to-head with Reba because she’s so experienced and has such a legacy,” Stefani said. “She’s an icon.”
“Because we’re in a competition, it’s really interesting to watch and see who she turns [her chair] for,” she continued, adding that McEntire turned for artists outside of the country genre. “She’s turning for anyone that she has a connection to.”
McEntire Admits She Is “Blown Away” By This Season’s Contestants
McEntire shared that she has been “blown away” by the talent of this season’s contestants. “I’m definitely glad to be a coach,” she said. “I’ve been in this business going on 50 years, and so hopefully I’ll be able to give some of the pointers that people were sweet enough to give me and also the things that I’ve learned on my own the hard way.”
The 68-year-old added that she is looking for “songs that touch my heart” in her team members. “I want people on my team that I want to work with because they touched my heart and soul,” she said.
Season 24 of The Voice premieres Monday, September 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
