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Reba McEntire returns to 'The Voice' as Mega Mentor, fans say 'that’s super awkward for Kelly Clarkson'

Reba McEntire will take on the role of Mega Mentor for the Knockouts in 'The Voice'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Get ready for some country flair, folks! 'The Voice' is heating up as it's Blake Shelton's final season on the show, and to make things even more exciting, the Mega Mentor is none other than country music legend Reba McEntire! It's a match made in music heaven, and fans are buzzing with anticipation for her arrival. NBC made the big announcement in February, and now the moment has finally arrived. Reba will be advising not only Blake but also his fellow coaches, Kelly Clarkson, and newcomers Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan, and their teams as they head into the Knockout Rounds. In case you missed it, Reba was Blake's Battle Round Advisor during the first season of 'The Voice' in 2011. So, it's a full-circle moment for the country star.

But that's not all, folks! Reba is also known to be very close to Kelly, who happens to be her former daughter-in-law and frequent duet partner. With the two ladies teaming up again, fans can't help but wonder what kind of chemistry they'll bring to the table. And with a sneak peek of Reba's arrival teasing fans, it's clear that the anticipation is real.

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Reba McEntire returns to 'The Voice' as Mega Mentor

The countdown is on as Reba is set to return to 'The Voice' in the upcoming episodes, bringing her legendary talent to the role of Mega Mentor for this season's knockout rounds, which start on Monday, April 17, at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC. And if you thought that was exciting, wait until you see the new teaser 'The Voice' has exclusively shared, featuring Reba's appearance on the show.

In the clip, we see Reba chatting with the coaches as she offers some great advice and gets a little emotional, all while cracking some of her famous jokes. As she reflects on her long-standing friendship with Kelly, which dates back to 2002. Clarkson shares her admiration for Reba as a mentor, "She helped me so much early in my career, and now she's just matured into this wonderful woman that I am just so proud of, and I love with all my heart," she says.

Reba, who happens to be the mother of Kelly's ex-husband, is equally effusive in her praise for Kelly, stating that she's grown as an artist and a teacher and that she's proud of her. She also has high praise for the talent on Chance the Rapper's team and reminisces with Blake about the projects they've worked on together. And, of course, Reba can't resist sharing some of her golfing skills with Niall, quipping, "I play really good after one beer. I'm Tiger Woods-level at two beers." When Niall asks what happens after three beers, Reba responds quickly, "I better quit."

Returning to 'The Voice' for the first time since 2015, Reba reveals that she's excited to give advice and be moved by the contestants' performances. "I study people when they perform, and I wanna be touched when they're singing to me," she says. "That's the biggest thing – to capture someone in the audience to the point where they're sobbing or laughing. Get some emotion out of them, and you did it for me." With Reba's return to 'The Voice' and all the excitement she's bringing with her, it's clear that this season's knockout rounds are not to be missed!

'I am getting some serious awkward vibes'

As Reba returned to 'The Voice' as a Mega Mentor for this season's Knockout Rounds, fans were eagerly anticipating her interactions with Kelly. Given their personal history, fans were on high alert for any awkwardness between the two, even though they appeared to be nice to each other on camera. After a preview clip was released by the show, fans took to social media to express their concerns about their dynamic, with many wondering if there was any underlying tension between them. One on Youtube said, "They’re either great actors or that pesky Step-son divorce fiasco didn’t come between them," while another added, "I was worried if Kelly would let her mentor her team and I suppose they just had to show good relationship for TV." Another added, "Somebody please give Kelly and Reba an oscar." One even joked saying, "I think Reba is gonna intentionally f*** up Kelly's team LOL. Wont be surprised if that happens." Some even voiced their concerns on Instagram. One said, "Reba you can take Kelly’s seat next season' while another chimed in saying, "That’s gotta be super awkward for Kelly." Another said, "Kelly is a great actor."

What to expect from 'The Voice' Knockout Round premiere?

During the Knockouts, each singer is paired with a mega mentor who is a distinguished figure in the music industry. In the past, we've seen prominent names like James Taylor, Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg, and Usher. This season, the exceptional Reba will take on the role of mega mentor. Typically, the Knockouts are in the third round of the season, when coaches pair their remaining team members together.

However, unlike the Battle rounds, each contestant performs a solo song of their choosing. After both performances, the coach must select which contestant they believe performed better. The winner moves forward to the Live Playoffs as a permanent member of the coach's team, while the other is eliminated from the competition.

In a sneak peek shared by 'The Voice,' we see that Kelly pits Cait Martin and Kala Banham against one another for the chance to represent the team in the live playoffs. Reba's appointment as a mega mentor is a significant occurrence, as she is a country music icon, and her inclusion adds another superstar to the show's lineup. Additionally, it's a full circle moment since Reba was previously a Battle Advisor for Team Blake in the show's first season back in 2011. With Shelton now coaching his final group of artists and bidding farewell to the competition, having Reba back on the show feels like a fitting reunion.

'The Voice' Season 23 Episode 12 will grace our screens on April 17, 2023, at 8 pm ET.

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