Kelly Clarkson knows the saying ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ but she doesn’t necessarily want the latest winner of The Voice performing her songs.
After R&B singer Alexia Jayy won the NBC competition series on April 14th with performances of Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade” and Adele’s “One and Only,” Kelly Clarkson had one specific request.
Kelly Clarkson, the original winner of American Idol, expressed her admiration for Adele during the show’s finale, but jokingly pleaded with her, saying, ‘Please, just don’t ever cover any of my songs!’
Clarkson had a feeling something special would happen when the 31-year-old from Alabama sang Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman” during her audition.
As a lifestyle and talent enthusiast, I was captivated by Jayy’s audition! Both John Legend and I hit our buzzers, wanting to work with him, but it was Adam Levine who ultimately got the chance. And honestly, Adam wasn’t wrong – he said Jayy has one of the most incredible voices he’s ever heard on the show, and I have to agree! It was a truly special moment.
Having served as a coach on the show for 18 seasons, including the Battle of Champions season, he’s seen it all – and won four times.
Although the judges are mostly experienced – Clarkson has won four times out of ten, and Legend has coached one winner in eleven seasons – the show’s producers decided to try out some new rules this year.
In the initial blind auditions, the judges participated in a challenge where Kelly Clarkson successfully recruited three singers who had received turns from all three other coaches. Later, each coach had the opportunity to bring back two previously eliminated artists to compete against each other in the knockout rounds.
The show wasn’t reinventing the wheel, but sticking with the successful formula it first used in 2011 with coaches Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine had clearly paid off – it had already won nine Emmy Awards.
As for how they’ve achieved that perfect harmony, we’re sharing their secrets.
As a lifestyle expert, I often get asked about what winning shows like The Voice actually means for the artist. Well, the big prize is a recording contract with Universal Music Group, which is fantastic! However, it’s tricky to put a specific dollar amount on it, because the value really depends on so many factors – things like album sales, streaming numbers, and touring opportunities. It’s a huge step, but the financial outcome isn’t a fixed number.
Although NBC and the show’s creators haven’t officially stated the prize money, rumors suggest the winner receives $100,000.
Previous winners of the show have confirmed they receive prize money. For example, Todd Tilghman, the winner of season 18, told People magazine in 2020 that the winnings would likely help cover his expenses for a while, and he wasn’t planning any major life changes right away.
He also mentioned his wife had promised their children a trip to Disney World, so he figured he’d be spending money on that as well.
Not that the value of the music opportunities that open up for the winners should be discounted.
Adam David, winner of season 27, told Parade in May 2025 that he has a collection of songs and wants to work with his fellow songwriters. He plans to release music and then start touring. “We’re going to put out some music, and we’re going to hit the road,” he said.
I’ve been a huge fan of The Voice for years, and I always loved how they found talent! It wasn’t just about reaching out to people like Frenchie Davis – even after her time on American Idol – but they used to do these big, in-person open calls all over the country. Lately, though, everything’s moved online, which is different. The judges now look through tons of video submissions, and if you’re lucky, you might get a chance to audition for the coaches – hoping one of them will turn their chair for you. It’s still exciting, but definitely a new way of doing things!
As a huge fan, I’ve been following the rules closely! It looks like anyone wanting to audition has to be at least 13 years old. Then, you get 90 seconds to really shine – to tell us who you are and show off your voice. You can sing whatever song you like, but the show suggests picking something that truly shows off your personality and what kind of artist you are. It’s all about being authentic!
According to executive producer Audrey Morrissey, judges spend five to six days listening to auditions, with about 18 to 20 performers each day. Once a contestant is chosen for the blind auditions, they spend several days rehearsing with the show’s band, getting help with their wardrobe and style, and practicing camera positioning on stage, Morrissey explained in a 2018 interview.
The show also involves filming introductory packages for each contestant and their families, which came as a surprise to Ddendyl Hoyt, a former contestant from season six. She explained to the Washington Post in 2014 that she didn’t realize reality TV was filmed in a way that resembled a drama, with everything shot in separate segments. She added that this segmented filming process was the most time-consuming part of the show.
Let me tell you, pursuing your dreams, whether it’s on a singing competition or anything else, often takes persistence! If you don’t succeed in the early stages, or even if you get past those but don’t make the team, don’t give up. You can try out again and again – the good news is most shows let you audition as many times as you like, usually just once per season. It’s all about showing them what you’ve got and not being afraid to keep trying!
In a 2023 interview with Newsweek, coach Reba McEntire, who previously guided Asher HaVon to victory on season 25, explained that she prefers to offer constructive feedback rather than harsh criticism. She believes in telling contestants, ‘If you’d like another chance, try again next season with a song that truly showcases your voice and talent.’ She focuses on providing advice and encouragement for them to improve and return.
Starting with season 28, a new “Carson Callback” card was introduced. It allows host Carson Daly to give an artist who didn’t receive any positive feedback from the judges a second chance.
The show’s huge costume team makes sure contestants look fashionable once they’ve joined a team and are performing on stage.
We carefully select outfits for each artist,” Morrissey explained to SheKnows. “Then, for each live performance, we tailor those looks to fit the specific show.
Okay, so they might get a little sleep, but honestly, you can just tell our coaches are completely dedicated to prepping their teams! They’re not just going through the motions, they’re seriously working hard to get everyone ready for the battle rounds and, like, the whole competition! It’s amazing to watch, honestly.
According to Morrissey, the coaching lasts for four days, while the competitions themselves run for two.
How much a coach helps each performer really varies, she explained. Some coaches enjoy being heavily involved in all aspects of the performance, meticulously planning every detail. Others prefer to concentrate on the musical side – the song itself and how it’s arranged.
Morrissey also noted that some coaches prefer to communicate by text message, while others use email. He explained that all communication between coaches and artists outside of what’s filmed increases as the competition progresses and more is at stake.
Former contestant Hoyt explained to the Post that the show isn’t just about the contestants themselves. A lot of help comes from the show’s staff – vocal coaches, the band director, and even the producers – who all provide feedback and guidance.
In a September 2025 interview with Access Hollywood, Snoop Dogg highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. He explained that many people work hard to make events run smoothly, allowing performers like himself to simply focus on their performance onstage.
Between coaches and artists, Morrissey said, “The No. 1 communication is about song choice.”
Artists can share their opinions on which songs they perform, but ultimately the coaches usually make the final decision.
Frenchie, a contestant from the first season who was coached by Christina Aguilera, shared with Cosmopolitan in 2021 that it was often funny when the judges criticized a song choice, especially because the singer thought the judges themselves had approved it.
However, season 24 winner Huntley praised his coach Niall Horan, telling NBC Insider that the former One Direction member has a great ear for choosing songs.
Honestly, I’m so glad they really care about the contestants! It’s amazing they check beforehand to make sure everyone’s strong enough to handle the stress – this show is INTENSE! And it’s not just during filming, they have therapists on set and after it’s all over to help everyone adjust. It just shows they’re not just looking for talent, they’re looking out for people, and that makes me love the show even more!
Former contestant Kat Perkins explained to Cosmopolitan that the show provided immediate mental health support. As soon as someone was eliminated, they went straight to a psychiatrist for a debriefing to process their experience. Perkins emphasized this support was crucial, as the show is a uniquely intense and potentially traumatic experience that people aren’t emotionally prepared for.
The show’s coaches are experts in music, and their iconic red chairs have changed over time. These chairs can still spin around with the touch of a button. In 2018, the chairs were updated with new features, including three extra buttons. These allow each coach to block another coach once per round, preventing them from recruiting a particular singer.
These chairs are designed with comfort in mind, much like a luxury car seat. They feature a sturdy aluminum frame, a sleek finish, and even self-adjusting heaters – a feature Snoop Dogg jokingly called “the butt-warming kings.” They also include dual cupholders, a request made by former coach Blake Shelton.
Perkins says the chairs don’t actually make that dramatic whoosh sound when they spin around – it’s added later when the show is being edited.
It’s easy to miss, she explained to Cosmo, particularly when you’re concentrating and performing for the audience in the studio.
Friendly banter between the coaches has always been a fun part of The Voice, but over the show’s 16 seasons, it was often hard to tell if Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were genuinely annoyed with each other, or if they were just playing up their rivalry for the cameras.
Blake described their relationship as intense and complicated, saying they often argue but share a deep, almost inexplicable connection. “We have a bond like those two guys you knew in high school – it brings out both the best and worst in us,” he told The Tennessean in 2017. “It’s explosive, and I know exactly how to push his buttons.”
Translation: “He’s one of the best friends that I have, but I still want to kill him sometimes.”
And even though they haven’t competed against each other since 2019, Adam knows what the fans want.
The original coach shared a photo from the after-party for the first season of The Voice, joking about having dips and tagging Blake Shelton. He posted it as a throwback ahead of his return to the show for season 27 in February 2025.
These days, coaches are much less likely to publicly share each other’s personal contact information.
Niall explained in an interview with NBC that he was worried their on-screen chemistry wouldn’t translate to a genuine connection. He didn’t want their interactions to seem fake or overly enthusiastic just for the cameras – like putting on a show for Snoop Dogg. He admitted he was apprehensive about doing the show in the first place, but was relieved their relationship felt natural and not forced.
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2026-04-15 17:48