‘The Voice’ season 26 coaches: 2 huge celebrities joining, 2 returning
“The Voice” will shake things up in the coaches’ chairs for season 26, with four celebrities leaving, two returning and two big stars joining the fun.
Gwen Stefani will return as a coach for Season 26 after a brief hiatus, while Reba McEntire will also come back for a third straight season on the NBC reality series.
Joining them next season will be two first-time coaches, crooner Michael Bublé and rap icon Snoop Dogg.
Making an exit: John Legend, Chance the Rapper and Dan & Shay, all of whom have been in the coaches’ chairs during the current 25th season.
NBC confirmed the news during Monday’s upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
“Bublé, an unstoppable talent known for his world-class showmanship, brings his singular style and vocal power to the dynamic coaching panel,” a press release said. “He is a friend of ‘The Voice,’ having served as a season 3 advisor to Team Blake.”
Bublé is a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artist who has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. He has won five Grammys. His self-titled debut album in 2003 was followed by a series of multi-platinum albums, including “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Crazy Love,” “To Be Loved,” “Love,” “Christmas” and “Higher.”
The release touts Snoop Dogg, as well: “Already known as Coach Snoop in the world of sports, he now takes his skills from the field to the ‘Voice’ stage. An industry mogul and globally recognized innovator, Snoop Dogg taps into his extensive work in music and unique approach as an entertainer to bolster the competition. He previously took the reins as season 20 mega mentor.”
Snoop Dogg has released 21 studio albums and sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. He has also received 16 Grammy Award nominations. His albums include “Doggystyle,” “The Doggfather,” “No Limit Top Dogg” and “Doggumentary.”
Season 26, which premieres this fall, will mark Stefani’s eighth season as a coach, with McEntire returning for her third consecutive.
The season 25 live shows continue Monday at 7 p.m. CT with a two-hour semi-final. The top nine artists will perform a song dedicated to their hometowns as they vie for a spot in the finale.
Still competing among the top nine is Alabama’s Asher HaVon. The Selma native, 31, was among the first group of contestants declared safe during last week’s results episode. He’ll sing again tonight hoping to make the next cut for the top five finalists.
He’s competing on McEntire’s team. Last week, the coach proclaimed HaVon’s performance — singing “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men — divinely inspired.
“Asher, God put you on this Earth to sing,” McEntire said. “You said that you hadn’t heard secular music ‘til you were in your 20s, and then God let you come out here and be with us. So thank you, Lord, for letting us have Asher for this time.”
READ: Reba McEntire to Alabama ‘Voice’ performer: ‘God put you on this Earth to sing’
From HaVon’s official bio on “The Voice” website: “Growing up in Selma, Alabama, Asher was surrounded by gospel singers. President Obama went to Selma in 2015 for a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery in honor of African American civil rights. Asher auditioned for a spot in the choir that was set to perform John Legend’s song ‘Glory.’ The choir director was so blown away by Asher that Asher led the choir that day, performing in front of 200,000 people.”
Alabama’s Asher HaVon made the top nine on Season 25 of “The Voice,” singing “I’ll Make Love to You.”(Trae Patton/NBC)