Photo: NBC/Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson called country legend Reba McEntire while she and John Legend competed for a Voice contestant.
Clarkson, Legend and Adam Levine returned to The Voice for The Voice: Battle of Champions, which NBC describes as âa whole new game. âŚThese champion coaches come back to their chairs once again to discover incredible talent in a season full of thrilling twists, fan-favorite guests and spectacular performances.â The blind auditions premiered on Monday (February 23). Clarkson and Legend turned their chairs for Julia Golden, 19, a singer from Carthage, North Carolina, after her stunning rendition of Deana Carterâs âStrawberry Wine.â
Legend pointed out that he turned his chair for Golden first; however, Clarkson said she didnât turn sooner because she was too busy singing along. The Kelly Clarkson Show host added, âI donât know if you like Lee Ann Womack either, but I could hear a little bit of that in your voice, too. Thatâs my Texas queen. I love her.
âYou have to be believable. You have to be authentic. And thatâs what you were for me,â Clarkson told Golden of her performance.
Legend said McEntire, who has coached four seasons of The Voice, is âfantasticâ on the competition show. He went on to pay a pre-recorded message from McEntire â âthe Queen, you might say, of Country Musicâ â who said: âPeople have asked me, âcan John Legend coach a country artist?â Heck yeah! I wish heâd coach me. Heâs absolutely fantastic. Heâs a genius. He can do anything. He plays, he sings, he mentors. I know. Iâm the Queen of Country Music. And I endorse John Legend. I endorse this message.â
Clarksonâs jaw dropped.
âI need just a minute,â she said as she pulled up her phone. âShe better answer.â
âCalm down, girl,â McEntire said as Clarkson asked her about the video sheâd recorded for Legend. Clarkson said she just needed Golden to know, âI make an excellent coach for country artists, as well!â McEntire agreed, and Clarkson told her, âI love you so much, but I hate that video!â
Watch that full moment â and find out which team Golden chose â here: