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[SO SAD] Today Hosts Face Another Shocking Exit After Hoda Kotb’s Departur

Today Hosts Face Another Shocking Exit After Hoda Kotb’s Departure: ‘Next Phase’

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The Today show is saying goodbye to another member of the NBC family. A month after Hoda Kotb’s exit, Today alum Lester Holt announced he was retiring from his role as anchor of NBC Nightly News after more than 10 years.

“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do,” Holt wrote in a message to NBC Nightly News staff on February 24. “But before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about. I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”

Holt — who joined NBC Nightly News in 2007 — is set to leave in the summer. He’ll continue to host Dateline NBC, which he’s served as an anchor for since 2011. After news of his exit, many of Holt’s former Today co-hosts congratulated him on his career move. Holt served as a co-anchor on Weekend Today from 2003 to 2015.

“Congrats to @lesterholtnbc on an amazing decade and the new chapter about to unfold! I’m grateful for getting to share so many historic moments right by your side – always, always the class act. ❤️” Today co-host Savannah Guthrie —who has filled in for Holt on NBC Nighty News many times — captioned an Instagram post of her and Holt covering a past presidential election.

Dylan Dreyer, who serves as a weather correspondent on Today, recalled how Holt helped her on her first day on the morning show. “You’d think the most nerve-wracking day of my career was my first day on air at Weekend Today,” she captioned an Instagram photo of them and other Today co-hosts. “But @lesterholtnbc made me feel so comfortable from day 1. It has been a true honor to work and grow along side him from then, to hurricane coverage, to @nbcnightlynews, to fun experiments on @nightlykids A true professional, an incredible interviewer and anchor, a friend. Congratulations on this next phase of your inspirational career Lester!!”

Hoda Kotb, who recently left Today in January after almost 18 years on the morning show, also honored Holt in her own Instagram post. “Lester! Hats off to a great run on @nbcnightlynews ! Now all thats left is a move to the burbs.. and a @toyota sienna mini van! Xx love you @lesterholtnbc. Xo,” she wrote.

Holt and Kotb aren’t the only recent anchors to leave the NBC news family. News also broke on February 24 that Joy Reid — who anchors The ReidOut on MSNBC — was fired from her role after a decade at the network. “Joy Reid is leaving the network and we thank her for her countless contributions over the years,” MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a memo to staff, according to NPR. Reid’s final show was on February 24. “Her work has been recognized with several esteemed honors, including most recently, the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding News Series. In the coming weeks, rotating anchors will host the hour.”

Reid confirmed her exit and thanked her supporters in a statement on Bluesky. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement, both personally and in these social media streets,” she wrote. “So very proud of The Reidout @joy.msnbc.com team, who are truly family, and all of our supporters & friends.”

Meet the real-life partners of the Today show hosts in the gallery below.

MSNBC and CNN receive some CRUSHING NEWS, and fans expressed their profound DISAPPOINTMENT

Fox News dominates 2024 viewership, topping CNN and MSNBC combined during unprecedented year of news

‘I am extremely proud of our entire team,’ FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said

Fox News Channel obliterated competitors in 2024, finishing the year with its highest share of the cable news audience since 2015.

The year featured an unprecedented news cycle that saw President Biden perform so poorly during an infamous presidential debate that he ultimately withdrew from the race, Vice President Kamala Harris emerge as the Democratic nominee without a primary and President-elect Trump survive a pair of assassination attempts. All of that occurred ahead of November’s election, which ended with Trump’s decisive victory over Harris.

The election-related chaos happened as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continued, college campuses erupted with anti-Israel protests and everyone from Hunter Biden to Taylor Swift dominated news cycles.

Along the way, Fox News Channel averaged 1.5 million total day viewers and 2.4 million during primetime to top all cable options. Fox News has now finished No. 1 in both categories for nine straight years and increased its audience by 21% among total day and 30% during primetime compared to 2023.

“Throughout coverage of a tumultuous political cycle, wars in the Middle East and major breaking news events, millions of viewers across the political spectrum continued to tune into Fox News Channel for our unrivaled reporting and analysis. I am extremely proud of our entire team for proving once again why we are the nation’s most-watched network as we outpaced the competition in covering the stories that mattered most to everyday Americans,” FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said.

MSNBC averaged 791,000 total day viewers and CNN managed 481,000. During primetime, MSNBC averaged 1.2 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET and CNN settled for only 685,000 as Fox News topped them combined in both categories despite the historic year of news.

It was Fox News’ highest share of the cable news audience in nearly a decade, as the network held 56% of the cable news audience in primetime and 53% in total day.

Fox News has finished No. 1 in cable news among both total day and primetime viewers for 23 years in a row.

Fox News also crushed cable news competitors among the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults age 25-54, averaging 186,000 total day viewers in the critical demo compared to only 91,000 for CNN and 84,000 for MSNBC. It was much of the same during primetime, when Fox News averaged 298,000 demo viewers, compared to 147,000 for CNN and only 133,000 for MSNBC.

CNN finished the news-heavy year with its smallest audience in network history among both total day viewers and among the key demo.

“The Five,” with Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, Jeanine Pirro and rotating co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., averaged 3.4 million viewers to finish as the No. 1 show on cable news for the third straight year. “The Five” also closed strong, becoming the first non-primetime show to deliver over four million viewers during its highest-rated fourth quarter ever.

Fox News programs “The Five,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Hannity,” “Gutfeld!,” “The Ingraham Angle,” “Special Report with Bret Baier,” “Outnumbered,” “The Faulkner Focus,” “America’s Newsroom” with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer, “America Reports” with John Roberts and Sandra Smith, Martha MacCallum’s “The Story” and “Your World with Neil Cavuto” all outdrew anything CNN and MSNBC had to offer among total viewers as FNC finished with the 12 most-watched shows on cable news.

“Jesse Watters Primetime” was the most-watched cable news program during primetime, averaging 3.1 million viewers.

“Gutfeld!” averaged a staggering 355,000 viewers in the key demo to lead all of cable news in the category that keeps the lights on, outdrawing broadcast shows CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in the process.

“FOX & Friends,” “FOX & Friends First” and “FOX News @ Night” all had strong turnouts to help Fox News dominate the cable news landscape. In fact, Fox News programs made up 70 of the top 100 cable news telecasts, and the network had the highest length of tune-in for cable news across all categories.

On weekends, Fox News had its highest share of the cable news audience among both total viewers and the key demo in network history. “Life, Liberty and Levin” finished as the most-watched show on Saturdays and “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo” took the Sunday crown.

Bret Baier’s interview with Vice President Kamala Harris secured nearly eight million viewers, making it the highest-rated interview of the election cycle.

Americans relied on Fox News for information and analysis related to the critical presidential election. According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News was the most watched cable news network in every swing state, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

FOX News Media’s coverage of election night topped all television networks with nearly 13.6 million viewers and 4.4 million in the demo, while its broadcast of Vice President Kamala Harris’ concession speech was also No. 1 with nearly eight million viewers.

Fox News also made history with the highest-rated primetime convention coverage of all time during the Republican National Convention with 10.4 million total viewers and two million in demo from 10-11 p.m. ET.

Since Trump’s Election Day victory, Fox News has dominated with 73% of the cable news audience in primetime as MSNBC and CNN hemorrhaged viewers.

All ratings data courtesy of Nielsen Media Research.

The football icon Michael Strahan ‘makes shock decision to QUIT Good Morning America’ watched by millions with Fox NFL Sunday in turmoil

Michael Strahan ‘makes shock decision to quit show’ watched by millions with Fox NFL Sunday in turmoil

MICHAEL Strahan could be about to leave a show he presents, according to a bombshell report.

The football icon, 53, is a key part of Fox NFL Sunday coverage.

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Michael Strahan is leaving Good Morning America, reports sayCredit: Getty

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The NFL icon is a regular on morning American televisionCredit: GMA
And a report claim he’s made a huge decision to leave another show which takes up more of his time.

According to NewsNation, Strahan will step down from Good Morning America later this year.

His contract to front the ABC show is up later this year.

Strahan is a regular part of the morning show alongside Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos.

NewsNation quote an insider as saying, “He will be out by this summer — he’s had enough.”

But a source told The U.S. Sun, “Several higher ups at ABC say this isn’t true.”

Another source said, “There’s no truth that I’m aware of that about this at this current juncture. That piece is strictly speculative rumor mill stuff.

“If you just read it, it just sounds like someone with a very specific point of view and a very specific desire to make things suddenly complicated for GMA.”

Strahan wants to spend more time with his family, the report adds.

He took a break from the show in October 2023 after his daughter Isabella’s health struggle.

Fox NFL Sunday star Michael Strahan’s daughter opens up on fertility journey at age of just 19 following cancer battle
Isabella had a brain tumor removed and needed three surgeries.

After having the tumor initially removed, there were complications and she needed two more surgeries to resolve things.

Strahan’s fans shared their well wishes and prayers during his tough family time.

And the 53-year-old has new perspective and a change in priorities since the health scare.

He is still a key part of Fox’s NFL coverage during the fall.

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Strahan was part of the Fox NFL team that broadcast Super Bowl LIXCredit: Rex

Michael Strahan’s NFL career

Michael Strahan is one of the most recognizable faces on television.

But he came into his media career with Fox off the back of a hugely successful stint in the NFL.

Strahan spent 14 years all with the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007.

He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2007 – ending the New England Patriots’ hopes of a perfect season.

Strahan was also a two-time NFL sacks leader and also won Defensive Player of the Year.

The ex-Giants star set the single-season sack record with 22.5 in 2001 – a feat which was matched by J.J. Watt exactly 20 years later.

He is one of the best defensive stars to have ever played the game – finishing with 141.5 career sacks and 854 tackles.

And this year the network is coming off the back of a record-breaking Super Bowl.

More than 127 million Americans watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs at the Superdome in New Orleans.

But Fox is at a crossroads with two stars considering retirement.

In addition to that, Erin Andrews is out of contract and Tom Brady has been forced to deny claims he’s about to quit.

Both Terry Bradshaw, 76, and Jimmy Johnson, 81, have said in recent weeks that they are considering retirement.

“I told my wife before I left the room a while ago, I’m sitting there, I said, ‘I’ve got two years left at FOX. I’m 76′,” Bradshaw revealed before the Super Bowl.

“Okay, so it’s a young man’s game.

“I get that.’ Everybody wants the new.

“And so I said, ‘If we can get to the next Super Bowl, I’ll be 80. That’s, I think that’s time’.

“80 years old, that’s pushing it.”

Kelly Clarkson caused a stir as she throws shade at ex Brandon Blackstock in new video after ugly divorce and money war

Kelly Clarkson throws shade at ex Brandon Blackstock in new video after ugly divorce and money war

Kelly Clarkson seems to have dissed ex-husband Brandon Blackstock in a new YouTube video for her forthcoming album.

The 42-year-old singer — whose eponymous talk show was just renewed — posted the 53-minute visualizer for her project When Christmas Comes Around… Again on Wednesday.

In the video, four red holiday stockings are pictured hanging over a fireplace, complete with names of each family member embroidered on them.

One reads Mom and the others feature her kids’ — daughter River, 10, and son Remy, eight — names, plus one that’s monogramed with the word ‘Nope,’ seemingly referring to her ex, 48.

Kelly recently revealed her kids prefer that she’s single, telling the radio station KOST 103.5, ‘They’re young, so it’s hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad.’

Kelly Clarkson seems to have dissed ex-husband Brandon Blackstock in a new YouTube video for her forthcoming album

Clarkson and Blackstock pictured in January 2018

Kelly and Brandon were married from 2013-2022 and had a drawn-out legal battle following their divorce filing.

The former couple met in 2006 and had been married for almost seven years when the pop star filed for divorce in June 2020.

Following the finalization of their divorce in March 2022, Clarkson was ordered to pay $45k a month in child support for their kids.

In January Kelly made her final $115k spousal support payment to Blackstock, who used to manage her.

A source told Us Weekly at the time: ‘Kelly is feeling relieved that her spousal support to Brandon has come to an end.

‘She’s been ready for this for a while now and is so happy her payments to Brandon will be complete. It’s so nice knowing that this chapter of her life can close with the new year.’

In November 2023, a California labor commissioner ruled Blackstock ‘unlawfully’ booked jobs for Clarkson, including inking her deal as a judge on The Voice, while employed as her manager, as only agents can secure roles for talent, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Blackstock also collected fees for other endorsements, like Wayfair and Norwegian Cruise Line, in the amount of $2,641,374.

The labor commissioner ordered Blackstock to return the commissions — which included $1.98 million for her gig on The Voice — to his ex-wife.

The 42-year-old singer  posted a visualizer for her project When Christmas Comes Around… Again on Wednesday. In the video, four red holiday stockings are pictured hanging over a fireplace

The stockings were complete with names of each family member embroidered on them. One is monogramed with the word ‘Nope,’ appearing to reference her ex

Kelly shares daughter River, 10, and son Remy, eight, with her ex-husband

The Kelly Clarkson Show was renewed by NBCUniversal earlier this week.

It has maintained the top afternoon TV spot throughout its six seasons on air.

The talk show has featured a rotation of A-list guests including Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Margot Robbie, and John Cena, among many more.

Her Kellyoke performances — a spin on karaoke — have collected millions of views online, often with praise from the original artists.

‘Kelly Clarkson is a national treasure. We couldn’t wait to announce another season of The Kelly Clarkson Show, fresh off the top-rated Christmas in Rockefeller Center in which Kelly hosted,’ Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, Syndication Studios and E! News at NBCUniversal, said in a press release.

‘There’s an appetite in talk for stories that entertain and inspire, and The Kelly Clarkson Show is a shining star that delivers for our stations and connects with viewers across multiple generations in meaningful ways.’

[VERY $AD] The V0ice $tar ha$ pa$$ed away aged 44. Hi$ cau$e 0f death wa$ a…

The V0ice $tar Ryan Whyte Mal0ney ha$ died aged 44

The V0ice $tar Ryan Whyte Mal0ney ha$ died aged 44.

The reality $h0w alum, wh0 appeared 0n the $h0w in 2014, died by $uicide 0n Tue$day, January 28, the Clark C0unty C0r0ner in La$ Vega$ c0nfirmed t0 Pe0ple.

Hi$ cau$e 0f death wa$ a gun$h0t w0und t0 the head.

The $h0ck death came ju$t h0ur$ after he p0$ted a vide0 t0 hi$ In$tagram $t0rie$ while at an Iri$h bar, where he appeared t0 be perf0rming.

He $aid: ‘Nine fine Iri$hmen f0r a private party t0night, and we will be r0cking.’

Whyte Mal0ney r0$e t0 fame when he perf0rmed Light$ by J0urney a$ hi$ blind auditi0n $0ng and received a f0ur-chair turn.

The $h0ck death came ju$t h0ur$ after he p0$ted a vide0 t0 hi$ In$tagram $t0rie$ while at an Iri$h bar, where he appeared t0 be perf0rming

He wa$ part 0f Blake $helt0n’$ team and made it t0 the t0p five finali$t$ after tw0 battle r0und$.

He rec0rded f0ur hit $ingle$ while 0n the $h0w including auditi0n $0ng Light$, Tina Turner’$ What’$ L0ve G0t T0 D0 With It, Ea$y by Ra$cal Flatt$ and $ec0nd Chance by $hined0wn.

The $inger returned t0 perf0rm at the finale.

He maintained a cl0$e b0nd with hi$ ment0r $helt0n a$ he regularly perf0rmed at the $uper$tar’$ venue 0le Red with hi$ 0wn re$idency – j0ining $helt0n f0r perf0rmance$ 0n it$ 0pening night$ in April 2024.

Whyte Mal0ney perf0rmed with arti$t$ including Tim McGraw, M0rgan Wallen,  Ra$cal Flatt$, C0ldplay and 0ne Republic.

0n January 16, Whyte Mal0ney $hared a vide0 0n In$tagram thanking hi$ fan$ f0r their birthday me$$age$. He wr0te: ‘I’m 0verfl0wing with gratitude f0r the l0vely birthday wi$he$ and affecti0n I received t0day.

‘Y0ur kindne$$ truly warm$ my heart. Thank y0u a milli0n time$ 0ver!’

He wa$ rai$ed in Traver$e City Michigan and began playing the guitar, vi0lin, cell0, and drum$ at age 9. He rec0rded hi$ fir$t album in 2005 and a $ec0nd entitled, Where I’ve Been.

The reality $h0w alum, wh0 appeared 0n the $h0w in 2014, died by $uicide 0n Tue$day, January 28, the Clark C0unty C0r0ner in La$ Vega$ c0nfirmed t0 Pe0ple – pictured 2017

Whyte Mal0ney r0$e t0 fame when he perf0rmed Light$ by J0urney and received a f0ur-chair turn – picking ment0r Blake $helt0n (pictured)

He i$ pictured $ec0nd left with $helt0n and fell0w c0nte$tant$ 0n The V0ice in 2014

He perf0rmed in club$ and h0nky-t0nk bar$ between 2010-2013 and t00k t0 the $tage at nati0nal fe$tival$.

The $tar relea$ed $0ng$ Hillbilly, Michigan M00nlight and Living with n0 directi0n$ 0n c0untry radi0.

He lived by the m0tt0: ‘0nly Th0$e Wh0 $ee The Invi$ible, Acc0mpli$h The Imp0$$ible.’

The Voice’s Kelsea Ballerini faces criticism for her BIG ‘MISTAKE’ on season 27

The Voice’s Kelsea Ballerini makes big ‘mistake’ on season premiere as she replaces Gwen Stefani as new judge

NBC’s The Voice returned for Season 27 on Monday, bringing aboard new judge Kelsea Ballerini to replace Gwen Stefani.

The 31-year-old singer had previously served as a coach in Season 15 during a new round called The Comeback Stage and she also filled in for Kelly Clarkson as well.

Now she’s a full-time judge on the hit reality show, though she made a rather big self-admitted ‘mistake’ pretty early on.

Thankfully, though, she was able to rectify that mistake by using the Coach Replay, which was introduced in Season 26.

However, she used it in a way that no other coach had in the Coach Replay’s brief history… essentially using it to steal.

The historic moment came after Dan Kiernan, a 33-year-old wedding singer from New York City took the stage.

NBC’s The Voice returned for Season 27 on Monday, bringing aboard new judge Kelsea Ballerini to replace Gwen Stefani

The historic moment came after Dan Kiernan, a 33-year-old wedding singer from New York City took the stage

Kiernan sang High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco, getting Michael Buble and John Legend to turn their chairs, though Ballerini and returning coach Adam Levine did not.

Both Buble and Legend admitted that the song was ‘nearly impossible’ to sing and they applauded him for going big in his audition.

While Kelsea didn’t turn her chair for Dan, she was interested in what he wanted to become as an artist.

‘I’m really interested in songwriting. I have so much to say and represent for my community,’ Dan told her.

Kelsea admitted she was ‘not sure’ why she didn’t turn her chair, before she realized that she had made a mistake.

‘I’m gonna do something. I’m gonna do something crazy. There’s this thing. I only get one. It’s called the Replay,’ she said, as the other coaches were stunned, as Legend admitted the Replay, ‘has never been used in this way.’

‘I made a mistake. I think you are fantastic,’ Ballerini said as she hit her button for the Coach’s Replay, adding, ‘I would really like to put my name in the running.’

‘I don’t know how to do this, but I think I did it right,’ Ballerini said, as Legend pointed out, ‘Kelsea is the first coach to use the Coach Replay to try to steal,’ before joking that it’s, ‘very dirty and underhanded.’

The gamble by Ballerini paid off as Kiernan picked her, as she explained, ‘The Coach Replay is basically our whoopsie.’

Kiernan sang High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco, getting Michael Buble and John Legend to turn their chairs, though Ballerini and returning coach Adam Levine did not

Both Buble and Legend admitted that the song was ‘nearly impossible’ to sing and they applauded him for going big in his audition

Many fans agreed with her move like @CrazyBoothSocks who said, ‘I wouldn’t pick someone who was like “I’ll use my replay on you”‘

‘I love that our Coach Replay button can be used on any artist, and it can be an artist that no coach turns for or one or multi coaches turn for,’ she said, adding, ‘When I turned and I saw Dan, I realized that I messed up. I whoopsied hard.’

Many fans agreed with her move like @CrazyBoothSocks who said, ‘I wouldn’t pick someone who was like “I’ll use my replay on you.”‘

Adam Baker (@abaker20) added, ‘Kelsea for the win. Smart to use coach replay,’ while gaby (@jonahsdove) said, ‘kelsea used her coach reply for dan. So deserved.’

Michelle Kelley (@jeremygamer29) added, ‘Wow!!! Kelsea use her coach replay on Dan!!!’

Kelsea Ballerini Feels ‘Blessed’ to Have Reba McEntire’s Guidance as She Takes Over ‘The Voice’ Role

Kelsea Ballerini is nervous but hugely excited to be replacing Reba McEntire on The Voice and source exclusively tells Life & Style she’s been asking for tips about how to handle the spotlight, which her country-star mentor is only too happy to offer.

“Reba is just as darling as she seems on TV, she’s the type of person that wants everyone to win and she actually takes it one step farther and does what she can to help,” the source says. “She loved her time on The Voice and learned a lot and she’s all about passing on the knowledge.”

Reba, 69, coached contestants on the show throughout seasons 24, 25 and 26 before giving up her chair to newcomer Kelsea. The insider notes the “I’m a Survivor” singer has gone above and beyond to ready her replacement for the big job.

“She knows Kelsea is a professional, it’s not like she thinks she needs schooling, but at the same time she’s always been appreciative when anyone helped her in the past, so she’s paying that forward,” the source says.

The newest coach even discovered a sweet letter from the country singer during the first episode of the season, which aired on February 3. “Dear Kelsea, I heard you would be the new coach this season and I’m just so excited for you. It’s up to you to keep country alive on the show and I know you’ll do a terrific job,” the note read. “Now go out there and show those boys who’s the boss.”

Rick Diamond/Getty Images
The source says that for Kelsea, Reba taking the time to properly warm her up to the new job is especially meaningful, considering how highly the young country star regards the legendary musician.

“Kelsea looks up to Reba, she’s an icon and she totally acknowledges that and feels very blessed to have her guidance.”

The 31-year-old multi-platinum singer now sits on a panel of huge-name judges, including Adam Levine, Michael Bublé and John Legend. The impressive line up may have her feeling a bit intimidated, which is something Reba wants to knead right out of her if she’s to make her own mark on the show.

“The other coaches are being equally wonderful, but having Reba on speed dial for any questions is beyond exciting for Kelsea,” the insider adds. “Reba is a country music legend, those aren’t easy boots to fill so to have Reba herself giving her tips is huge.”

Reba even left her replacement a gift beyond the letter of encouragement and the open-door policy regarding future advice and guidance: a crown that had signified her status as “Queen Reba” before leaving the show. As the new country royal on the program, Kelsea has a lot to live up to following in her idol’s footsteps. She told Women’s Health in October 2024 she was ready to face all the good – and bad – that comes with her new position on The Voice, saying the coaching role would be “the first time I’m putting myself in a position where people are just not going to like me.”

The source acknowledges Reba’s crown won’t be easy to wear and that “Kelsea’s got serious nerves, so she’s taking full advantage of all the advice and really grateful.”

Adam Levine exposes Blake Shelton, criticizing him for ruining The Voice by “1 Bad Part”

Adam Levine Says the “1 Bad Part” of The Voice Season 27 Is Blake Shelton-Related

It apparently doesn’t matter that Blake Shelton isn’t even on The Voice Season 27.

Coach Adam Levine loves his fellow Season 27 Coaches, the Artists, and the fans. But there’s one thing he dislikes about being back on The Voice, and it has to do with Blake Shelton… even though Shelton isn’t there any more. Of course.

Between Artists during the Blind Auditions on Monday night, new Coach Kelsea Ballerini compared notes with original Coach Levine, and the advice she got from longtime Coach and fellow Country singer Shelton.

Adam Levine is still “beefing” with rival Blake Shelton on The Voice Season 27

“Blake really made me nervous. He said, ‘Adam’s tough. Sometimes he’s mean, he’s competitive. He’s ruthless,’” Ballerini revealed, before adding, “He was wrong! You’re lovely! You’re really nice!”

Levine countered that Shelton was probably “hazing” Ballerini by making her scared of Levine. Then they argued over whether Shelton was nice or mean at his core. “The one bad part of this season is I have to sit in this filthy Chair,” Levine complained; Coach John Legend is in the seat Levine once held, and the Maroon 5 singer now sits where Shelton once did.

Levine and Shelton have a long-running friendship/rivalry on The Voice. They both started in Season 1, and Levine stayed through Season 16 before returning for Season 27, while Shelton left after Season 23. This dynamic that has clearly persisted now that Shelton is gone. In just a few episodes, Levine has already blamed Shelton for his bad luck with Country Artists, mocked him over text, and insulted his chair repeatedly, previously calling it “mangy” and “musty.”

Blake Shelton and Adam Levine are serious about their Voice Chairs

Photo: Tyler Golden/NBC

Maybe it’s a guy thing? In an interview with NBC Insider, Shelton stressed what his Chair meant to him. “The hardest part about filming my final season of The Voice is I’m very territorial about this particular Chair that I’m sitting in,” Shelton said.

“I’m trying to negotiate and work out a deal where I can actually take my Chair with me,” he added. “I mean, it’s one thing to say, ‘I’m handing my Chair off to the next Coach’ or whatever, but I literally don’t want to hand my Chair off to whoever the next Coach is… I don’t feel good about letting someone else use my Chair.”

Try a The Voice chair for yourself!

The iconic red Chair is on a little tour! From now until March 4, a The Voice Coach’s Chair will be stationed at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. Another Chair will be at the Maroon 5 residency in Las Vegas’ Park MGM from March 5 through March 24.

Looking east, there will be a chair at the Mall of America in Minneapolis from March 31 through April 5, and at Ole Red (Blake Shelton’s restaurant) in Orlando, Florida, from March 10 through April 14!

You can watch The Voice Season 27 on Mondays at 8/7c on NBC. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.

‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 4 recap: A fierce battle broke out between them Michael and Kelsea

‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 4 recap: Michael and Kelsea build a rivalry in four head-to-head chair turns

Trae Patton/NBC

The Voice Season 27 continued on Monday with the fourth batch of Blind Audition performances. Adam Levine maxed out his advantages during Episode 3, blocking one artist from picking Kelsea Ballerini and then using his Coach Replay to scoop up another. He also won his fourth four-chair turn of the season. Going into day four, John Legend was the only one with a Coach Replay still to use. Returning champion Michael Bublé came into the night ready to fight hard for artists he liked, but Kelsea was not going to let him get away with any of them too easily. By the end of the night, they went head-to-head in competition for four different artists.

The first one Michael was keen on pulling on to his team was 19-year-old Texan Hailey Wright representing her Choctaw heritage with pride. Michael and Kelsea were the only coaches that turned for her performance of Freddy Fender‘s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” but John called it “excellent” and Adam acknowledged that she’d be well-suited on Kelsea’s team. After Kelsea highlighted Hailey’s yodeling by having her sing “Blue” quickly, Michael challenged her to do something “a little off the board” and unexpected by choosing him. Ultimately, Hailey went with her gut and stayed true to her country roots by joining forces with Kelsea.

Pictured: Hailey Wright (Photo by: Christine Bartolucci/NBC)

“I feel like it’s Wonder Woman vs. me, the guy who can shoot bow and arrows” — Michael Bublé on Kelsea Ballerini

The second artist that Kelsea and Michael went head-to-head for was Dimitrius Graham based on his rendition of  “Get You” by Daniel Caesar. Dimitrius’ training in classical music and opera seemed like a natural connection to Michael, but he was more drawn to the “sexy and romantic” aspect of his vocal and thought the audience would really connect to it. Kelsea told him that she feels inspired by him and promised him his own lane on her team, but even though Dimitrius called her “bad” and “gorgeous,” he chose Michael because he felt like his “artistry is gonna go to the next level” with him as a coach.

Pictured: Dimitrius Graham (Photo by: Christine Bartolucci/NBC)

“I don’t know what the population of the United States is, but after that audition it might be double in nine months” — Michael Bublé to Dimitrius Graham

John and Adam also sat out the fight for Kaiya Hamilton after her audition of “ICU,” setting up the third Kelsea vs. Michael battle of the night. Kelsea acknowledged to Kaiya that she doesn’t have the kind of voice like she does — that of a “sanger” — and pleaded that it doesn’t mean she can’t be a good coach for her. She said that she’s interested in her lower register and thinks they could work together on finding the right songs to highlight it. Michael told Kaiya that she’s versatile with a lot of tricks in her arsenal with an “ability to do it all.” Feeling more aligned to Michael’s style, Kaiya chose to join his team.

Later in the night, Michael didn’t shy away from going up against Kelsea within her own genre for Robert Hunter after his performance of Cody Johnson‘s “Til You Can’t.” Kelsea was honest with Robert that there were pitch issues in his vocal, but she was drawn to his ability to tell a story through song and thinks that she can offer him her experience as part of the “now in country.” Michael tried his best to appeal to a concept that he’s “now in Canadian country,” but once again there was no beating Kelsea at her own game.

“Michael and I are arch nemesai… is that how you say it plural?” — Kelsea Ballerini

By the end of Episode 4, Michael also found a potential winner in Aaron Rizzo with “Drops of Jupiter” and Kameron Jaso with “This Town.” John ended up using his Coach Replay on Antonio Ramsey after he challenged him to sing something slower than “Every Little Step” on the spot. John also brought Kolby Cordell with “Never Too Much,” Olivia Kuper Harris with “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” and Nell Simmons with “Love Hangover” on board. Adam added Fran Posla with “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and, in the only four chair turn of the night, Lucia Flores-Wiseman with “La Llorona.”

The teams so far:

TEAM LEGEND  (10 of 12 full) — Antonio Ramsey, Ari Camille, BD.ii, Bryson Battle, Jacquelyn George, Jordan Allen, Kolby Cordell, Nell Simmons, Olivia Kuper Harris, Renzo

TEAM BUBLÉ (10 of 12 full) — Aaron Rizzo, Barry Jean Fontenot, Braxton Garza, Carlos Santiago, Dimitrius Graham, Divighn, Jadyn Cree, Kaiya Hamilton, Kameron Jaso, Ricardo Moreno

TEAM KELSEA (9 of 12 full) — Angie Rey, Dan Kiernan, Hailey Wright, Iris Herrera, Jaelen Johnston, Jessica Manalo, Page Mackenzie, Robert Hunter, Tatum Scott

TEAM ADAM (10 of 12 full) — Britton Moore, Conor James, Darius J, Ethan Eckenroad, Fran Posla, Grace-Miller Moody, Hayden Grove, Lucia Flores-Wiseman, Tinika Wyatt, Tyler Kae

The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series The Voice is in its 27th season featuring five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. In the coaches’ chairs, Michael is the defending champion after winning Season 26. He is joined by John, in his 10th season, and Kelsea, competing for the first time. Adam rejoined the panel of coaches for his 17th season after taking a hiatus following Season 16.

Fans are begging for one BIG CHANGE in The Voice season 27 to fix the mistakes of last season

Fans are begging for one major change as The Voice season 27 approaches to fix the mistakes of last season

The Voice Season 26 is set to crown a winner in early December, but when will Season 27 start? The show is switching it up with a major change over previous seasons. Find out why the new season’s premiere is a departure from what the show has done in the past.

When Does The Voice Return for Season 27?

The Voice Season 26 live semi-final performances are set to air December 2 and December 3, 2024, with the performance finale on December 9 and the winner announced on the December 10 season finale.

The Voice coaches for Season 26 were Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani, but when the show returns for Season 27, only Bublé will continue. He’ll be joined by John Legend, Adam Levine, and Kelsea Ballerini.

In a January 7 Instagram post, the show announced that Season 27 will premiere on February 3, 2025, which is different from the typical scheduling. The Voice‘s new seasons premiere later in February/March and again in September each year. The caption noted, “Lights. Camera. Chair turns! 🎶 Kelsea Ballerini joins Coaches Adam Levine, John Legend, and Michael Bublé on an all-new season of #TheVoice, premiering February 3 on @nbc and streaming on @peacock.”

 

 

Some fans were taken aback by the earlier premiere date. “Woah that’s VERY early for a spring season,” one person commented. “More live shows please? 😮” Another noted, “It’s usually very late February though, never this soon.”

One fan shared their thoughts on why the new season is starting earlier. “Makes me think that this may be another 14 contestant per artist season,” they shared. “Usually in the spring cycle coaches have 10, but starting almost a month in advance is possibly done to compensate for the additional artists.”

Other fans remarked that the new season’s coaches won’t have the same spark that people loved with Bublé, McEntire, Snoop, and Stefani. “The chemistry between the coaches this season is unmatched, no season has been this good,” one person noted.

Another fan agreed, writing, “I actually wasn’t sure what it was going to be like when they announced the judges, but this season has been my favorite… the chemistry between them is the best!”

The Voice continues to be a hit every season, but host Carson Daly told Awards Radar ahead of Season 26 that there wasn’t a lot of confidence in the competition show when it started.

“People thought [The Voice] was never gonna work, and not only did it work, but it’s lasted for 25 seasons,” he said. “So I think that’s really the crazy part is that it’s staying power that we’ve been able to keep an audience interested, and tweak the show and let the format evolve by adding steals and those little features that kind of make it exciting again. Every time it’s on, it feels fresh.”