‘The Voice’ Shares First Look At Season 23 & Announces Major Competition Changes [WATCH]

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance The Rapper will serve as coaches for Season 23 of NBC’s The Voice.

By

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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Posted on February 24, 2023

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Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Chance The Rapper; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC

When NBC’s The Voice returns for Season 23, it will welcome a new round of coaches. Blake Shelton will resume his role for the final time, but he will be joined by an all-star cast that includes Kelly Clarkson and never before seen coaches Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper.

A preview clip for the upcoming season of the reality TV competition series shows the dynamic between the new set of coaches. And it looks like the chemistry is strong with Horan, a former One Direction singer, cracking jokes and Chance the Rapper bringing new energy to the table.

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Chance The Rapper; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC
Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Chance The Rapper; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC

The nearly three-minute video has all four coaches laughing as Horan abandons his Irish accent and shows off his best impression of Shelton’s Oklahoma-raised southern drawl.

“Blake Shelton? Yeah,” he begins, making Shelton, himself, crack up. “This is my last season of The Voice, and I would be honored if you were to be on the last ever team Blake.”

“Oh s—,” Clarkson responds while nearly in tears.

During the first look of the upcoming series, coaches also talk strategy with Chance the Rapper, asking Clarkson, who coached in prior seasons and won four times, what the best plan of action would be to claim victory over Shelton.

“Always say, ‘Oh. We’ll. He’s got all the country people. You’re not going to stick out on that team. You wanna stand out on mine.”

And, of course, the video shows Chance the Rapper taking Clarkson’s advice as he tries to steal one contestant from Shelton, “It would be really cool if I stole a country artist because it’s your thing to be cool. This guy is the definition of cool. I’m really cool. We can make something happen.”

As for Horan, he tells Shelton, “Every time you turn [around], I’m going with ya.”

Here’s A First Look At Season 23 Of The Voice

Be sure to view the clip in its entirety to watch the hilarity that will have folks laughing throughout the upcoming season of The Voice.

Last season saw Shelton marking his ninth win with traditional-leaning country singer Bryce Leatherwood of Woodstock, Georgia. Leatherwood beat out Top 4 contenders Brayden Lape, Morgan Myles, and Omar Jose Cardona. Shelton had the most artists in the finale of the competition, and he is also the coach with the most wins thus far.

This Is Blake Shelton’s Final Season As A coach

As previously announced, after spending more than a decade turning around in a red chair, Shelton’s Season of The Voice will be his last. The “No Body” crooner revealed his decision to step away from the program that brought him to superstar status in a post on social media.

“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while, and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after season 23,” He penned his message on Instagram. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me.”

“It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns, and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew, and catering people. You are the best,” he continued. “It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.”

Reba McEntire Joins Season 23 Of The Voice

A few changes will occur when The Voice returns next month. For one, the cast will be joined by Reba McEntire, who will assume the role of Mega Mentor. Her presence on the show will add a nice touch to Shelton’s impending departure as she was his Battle Advisor during The Voice’s Inaugural season in 2011.

McEntire will be featured during the Battle Rounds portion of the competition, where she will prepare hopefuls to step into the Knockout Rounds.

Reba McEntire; Photo Courtesy of UMG Nashville
Reba McEntire; Photo Courtesy of UMG Nashville

Another change includes the newly added “Playoffs Pass.” Each coach will have one “Playoffs Pass” and one “Steal.” The “Playoffs Pass” allows them the opportunity to advance a pair of contenders battling it out in the Battle Rounds. The “Playoffs Pass” recipients will then skip the Knockout Rounds and automatically advance to the Playoffs portion of the competition.

Fans can tune into The Voice Season 23 premieres on Monday (March 6) at 8/7c on NBC.

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Written by

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

See more posts from Melinda Lorge