Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton Reflect On Their History With Reba McEntire Ahead Of ‘The Voice’ Knockouts

“This is the raddest mega mentor we’ve ever had,” Clarkson shared.

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

April 16, 2023

10:32 am

Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson; Photo by Tyler Golden, NBC

Reba McEntire is returning to The Voice to serve as the Mega Mentor for Season 23, and the coaches welcomed her with open arms.

The country music icon, who previously served as a mentor to Team Blake during the first season of the singing competition show, is offering wise words of advice to all the contestants on this season.

Fans got a sneak peek of the upcoming knockout rounds where Reba has the chance to sit down with Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, and Blake Shelton to offer the remaining contestants tips on performing and connecting with a live audience.

In the preview clip, the coaches expressed their excitement over the opportunity to work with the Country Music Hall of Famer.

Kelly Clarkson

Longtime The Voice coach, Kelly Clarkson, who has a long history with Reba, was the first to gush over the “Fancy” singer.

“So the mega mentor this season is Reba McEntire. This is the raddest mega mentor we’ve ever had,” Kelly Clarkson shared. “So I love working with Reba. I love doing it in this capacity because she’s helped me tons musically as an artist. So it’s cool to watch her be able to do that for other people as well.”

Prior to their respective divorces, Reba was Kelly Clarkson’s mother-in-law. The pair previously collaborated on the re-recording of Clarkson’s 2004 hit “Because Of You,” on Reba’s 2007 duets album. They performed the song together at the 2007 ACM Awards and teamed up for an episode of CMT Crossroads that same year.

“I am so proud of Kelly. She has grown as an artist, as a teacher from when we first met in 2002 way back,” McEntire said of Clarkson. “So that’s how long we’ve known each other. She was a baby. She just matured into this wonderful woman that I am just so proud of and I love you with all my heart. That’s my truth.”

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton also has a lengthy history with Reba. The pair previously co-hosted the ACM Awards and spent quite a bit of time together when Reba was married to Narvel Blackstock, Shelton’s longtime manager.

“Blake and I have been friends for a long time and every time we get back together it’s just like we haven’t been apart,” Reba explained of her connection to Shelton.

Having Reba on the show is a full-cirlce moment for Shelton, who bid farewell to the show after this season.

“Having Reba here… It’s just familiar territory for me because we’ve worked together a lot over the years…. Malibu Country, at least two ACM awards, maybe three,” Shelton said. “That was fun. Oh my God. And not to mention, you were my first mentor ever here on this show. Right? And you’re going to be my last mentor.”

“What does that say about our relationship?” Reba said, to which Shelton replied, “You brought me into this and now you’re taking me out. That’s what it means.”

Niall Horan

“Heaven” singer Niall Horan also praised Reba McEntire, saying that it’s an “absolute honor to be in the presence of the absolute queen, Ms. McEntire.”

“I’m having a great time. She’s so fun. Lovely lady. And obviously clearly knows her stuff,” Horan added.

The avid golfer and former One Direction member then asked Reba if she played golf, to which she jokingly replied, “I play really good after one beer. I’m Tiger Woods level at two beers [and] at three I better quit.”

Reba then admitted that her and Niall “clicked the minute we met,” adding that they are having “so, so much fun.”

“We’re having a blast,” McEntire continued, “I love his team too. They’re so sweet.”

Chance The Rapper

GRAMMY winner Chance The Rapper was also thrilled to work with a “legend” like Reba.

“She’s given me amazing advice and helped my team so much in a short period of time,” Chance The Rapper said.

The clip concluded as McEntire said, “Oh, it’s so much fun to be back on The Voice again. It’s always a lot of fun to give advice because I study people when they perform and I want to be touched when they’re singing to me.”

Reba McEntire; Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC

Reba McEntire Is Serving As A Mega Mentor On The Voice

Throughout the clip, several of the remaining contestants also showcased their excitement to work with Reba McEntire, including NOIVAS, Rachel Christine, and several others.

NOIVAS asked Reba what’s the best advice she has ever received, to which she replied, “Show up on time, be prepared, don’t waste anybody else’s time.” While Rachel was all giddy and said, “I’m pretending that I don’t have to pee my pants right now.”

Reba also got emotional while mentoring Team Kelly’s Marcos Covos.

Watch

“Everything is wonderful, but I didn’t feel it because you didn’t let me,” Reba told Covos, pushing for him to deliver a more believable performance. “You’re in a really desperate time in your life and you need to almost be that brink of ‘God, help me.’ If you do it that way, we’ll feel it.”

Another contestant shown in the clip was Kylee Dayne, whose performance really resonated with Reba.

“You really touched my heart,” Reba told Kylee. ”That’s the biggest thing is to capture somebody in the audience to where they’re sobbing or laughing. Get some emotion out of them. And you did it for me.”

Tune in on Monday, April 17, at 8/7c on NBC to see Reba McEntire on The Voice.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.