Reba McEntire is back on The Voice. The Country Music Hall of Fame member returns for the show, beginning on Monday, April 17 as a Mega Mentor for the Knockouts, sharing her decades of wisdom with the aspiring singers.
“Oh, it’s so much fun to be back on The Voice again,” McEntire said in a preview clip, ahead of tonight’s episode. “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.”
McEntire was also thrilled to join Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper, who make up the four coaches this season.
“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,” McEntire said.
“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 continued, calling her “one of the greatest country artists of all time.”.
“And not to mention, you were my first mentor ever here on this show. Right? And you’re going to be my last mentor … You brought me into this and now you’re taking me out.” he told McEntire, referring to this season being his final one on The Voice.
Clarkson’s friendship with McEntire goes back more than two decades. In addition to McEntire serving as an inspiration for Clarkson’s own career, they also were family, when Clarkson was married to Brandon Blackstock, the son of McEntire’s former husband, Narvel.
“I’ve been working with Reba a lot over my career, actually, so I love working with Reba,” Clarkson said. “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.”
The love and admiration between Clarkson and McEntire definitely goes both ways, with the 68-year-old also praising the American Idol alum as well.
“I am so proud of Kelly,” McEntire said. “She has grown as an artist, as a teacher. From when we first met in 2002, so that’s how long we’ve known each other. She was a baby. She was a baby. She’s just matured into this wonderful woman that I am so proud of.”
Both Horan and Chance the Rapper were equally thrilled to work with the Grand Ole Opry member for the first time.
“I’m so honored to be in the presence of the absolute queen. I’m having a great time. She’s so fun. Lovely lady. And obviously clearly knows her stuff,” Horan said.
“It’s amazing working with Reba,” added Chance the Rapper. “She’s obviously a legend. She’s given me amazing advice and helped my team so much in a short period of time,”
McEntire was first offered the role given to Shelton on The Voice for the inaugural season. While his replacement for next seasn has yet to be named, McEntire has said she regrets not taking the job when it was offered to her.
“It was a very popular show in Holland, I’m pretty sure,” McEntire told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live. “I watched the tape and I said ‘No, I’m going to pass on that, because I don’t think I’d ever be able to tell somebody that they’re terrible, or ‘Go find another job’ or ‘Hope you like your nighttime job.’ I couldn’t do that, day in and day out. I just couldn’t do it. So I did pass on it. Blake was the perfect choice. He’s done a wonderful job.”
The Voice airs on Mondays at 8:00 PM ET and Tuesdays at 9:00 PM ET on NBC.
Read ‘Reba McEntire: 11 Things to Know About the Country Music Legend’
Photo Credit; Courtesy of NBC / Tyler Golden
