On May 12, 2025, NBC announced that country music legend Reba McEntire will reclaim her iconic red chair as a coach for The Voice Season 28, set to premiere in fall 2025. The announcement, met with excitement from fans and the music community, marks McEntire’s fourth season as a coach, following a one-season hiatus. In a spirited Instagram post, McEntire declared, “Back in my other Happy Place. I’ve got my game face on and I’m ready to WIN 🏆 Just wait til y’all hear the incredible voices of Season 28!” Joined by returning coaches Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, and Niall Horan, McEntire’s return promises a season filled with fierce competition, Southern charm, and her signature mentorship style that has made her a beloved figure on the show.

A Triumphant Return to The Voice

Reba McEntire’s journey with The Voice began long before she took on the role of coach. She first appeared as a Battle Advisor for Blake Shelton’s team in the show’s inaugural season in 2011, returned as a Knockout round advisor in Seasons 8 and 23, and served as a Mega Mentor in Season 23. Her official debut as a coach came in Season 24 (2023), stepping into the void left by Shelton, who departed after 23 seasons and nine wins. McEntire quickly made her mark, bringing warmth, wisdom, and a competitive edge to the red chair. In her second season (Season 25), she led contestant Asher HaVon to victory, cementing her status as a winning coach. “I have seen you grow,” she told HaVon before his finale performance, highlighting her nurturing approach. “Everybody has had a wonderful time with you, especially me.”

McEntire coached Season 26 alongside Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé, but took a break for Season 27 due to scheduling conflicts with her new NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place. “Oh, the scheduling was totally it,” she told TODAY.com in May 2025, praising replacement coach Kelsea Ballerini for doing “such a great job.” Now, with her sitcom renewed for a second season and her schedule aligned, McEntire is back for Season 28, ready to guide a new crop of artists. Her return was announced with fanfare on NBC’s The Voice Instagram, which posted, “SNOOP. REBA. NIALL. BUBLÉ. Let us know which team you will be on this fall!”

Why Reba’s Return Matters

McEntire’s presence on The Voice is more than just a celebrity draw; it’s a testament to her enduring influence in music and her ability to connect with aspiring artists. With over 30 studio albums, a 2011 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and hits like “Fancy” and “I Can’t,” McEntire brings a wealth of experience to the coaching role. However, she’s not one to focus on technical perfection. “I’m not a perfectionist,” she told USA Today in 2023. “If your heart and soul is in it and I felt something, we’ve done our job.” This philosophy has endeared her to contestants and viewers, who appreciate her focus on emotional storytelling and life lessons over nitpicking pitch or tone.

Her return for Season 28 comes at a pivotal moment for The Voice, which continues to evolve with a rotating cast of coaches to keep the competition fresh. McEntire’s Southern hospitality, wit, and competitive spirit—she’s known for bringing fried tater tots and chicken tenders to cheer on her team—add a unique flavor to the panel. Fans on social media were thrilled, with comments like, “Queen Reba is back! Team Reba all the way!” and “Can’t wait to see her steal some artists with that charm!” Her ability to balance encouragement with strategy, as seen when she outmaneuvered coaches like John Legend and Dan + Shay in past seasons, makes her a formidable force.

The Season 28 Coaching Lineup

McEntire will be joined by a dynamic group of returning coaches, each bringing their own flair to the red chairs. Michael Bublé, who debuted in Season 26 and coached Season 27, is back for his third consecutive season. The “Haven’t Met You Yet” singer, who won Season 26, has proven himself a charismatic and insightful coach. Snoop Dogg, also returning from Seasons 26 and 27, brings a fresh perspective with his deep music industry knowledge and laid-back vibe. “I really understand music, and to be a real Coach,” Snoop told Jimmy Fallon in 2024, emphasizing his goal to guide artists to stardom. Niall Horan, a two-time winner from Seasons 23 and 24, returns after a brief hiatus, putting his unbeaten streak on the line.

This quartet promises a lively dynamic, with McEntire’s country roots contrasting with Snoop’s hip-hop swagger, Bublé’s crooner charm, and Horan’s pop sensibility. “The best panel was Reba, Snoop, Bublé, and Gwen,” one fan posted on X, adding, “Niall should be good with this group.” McEntire’s history with Horan (they coached together in Season 24) and Snoop (Season 26) suggests a camaraderie that will make for entertaining banter, while her competitive streak—she’s openly declared her intent to win—will keep the others on their toes.

Navigating a Busy Schedule

McEntire’s return to The Voice comes amid a whirlwind of professional commitments. Her sitcom Happy’s Place, which premiered on October 18, 2024, has been a hit, drawing 14 million viewers across platforms and earning a pickup for five additional episodes, bringing Season 1 to 18 episodes. The show, a spiritual successor to her 2000s sitcom Reba, reunites her with co-star Melissa Peterman and features her boyfriend, Rex Linn. McEntire plays Bobbie, who inherits her late father’s tavern and discovers a younger half-sister as her business partner. “We’ve got the same producers, same showrunner, same writers,” McEntire said, calling it “magic in a bottle.”

Beyond Happy’s Place, McEntire hosted the 2025 ACM Awards, where she debuted “Trailblazer,” a collaboration with Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert. She also continues to perform, with recent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and plans for a 2025 tour. Despite her packed schedule, McEntire’s passion for mentoring young artists drew her back to The Voice. “I mean, who wouldn’t wanna hang out with folks like that?” she said of her fellow coaches in 2023, a sentiment that likely holds for Season 28.

Reba’s Impact on The Voice

McEntire’s coaching style is defined by her ability to nurture talent while imparting life lessons. During Season 25, she guided Asher HaVon, a soulful singer from Selma, Alabama, to victory with performances like Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” Her heartfelt advice—“I know you’ve had such a great time here on The Voice, and everybody has had a wonderful time with you”—resonated with audiences, showcasing her ability to connect on a personal level. She’s also known for her strategic moves, using her charm to sway contestants during Blind Auditions and stealing artists from other coaches when the opportunity arises.

Her return has sparked excitement about the talent she’ll discover in Season 28. “Just wait til y’all hear the incredible voices,” she teased in her announcement, hinting at a season packed with standout performers. Fans are eager to see how she’ll fare against Horan’s winning streak and the fresh energy of Bublé and Snoop. Social media buzz suggests Team Reba will be a top contender, with one X post declaring, “Reba’s got that winner’s instinct—she’s coming for the crown!” Her victory with HaVon proved she can spot and nurture talent, and her Season 28 goal is clear: another trophy.

Challenges and Changes for Season 28

Season 28 will face a scheduling shakeup due to NBC’s NBA coverage, moving from two nights a week (Mondays and Tuesdays) to one night after September, a change that could impact the show’s format. Hosted by Carson Daly, the only original cast member to appear in every season, The Voice will continue to air at 8 p.m. ET/PT and stream next day on Peacock. The coaching lineup, with four returning stars, is designed to maintain the show’s appeal, but McEntire’s absence in Season 27 left fans eager for her return. “I won’t watch The Voice unless you’re a coach!” one fan wrote on social media, a sentiment echoed by many.

McEntire has also faced and dispelled rumors about her departure. In February 2024, she addressed false claims of being “unhappy” on the show, posting, “Please do not click on any articles that say I am leaving The Voice. This is not true.” Her commitment to the series, despite a busy career, underscores her love for mentoring. “They’re going to win whether they win this competition or not,” she said of contestants in 2023, emphasizing the exposure the show provides.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Music

McEntire’s return to The Voice Season 28 is a homecoming to what she calls her “other Happy Place.” Her infectious energy, competitive spirit, and genuine care for contestants have made her a fan favorite, and her track record—mentoring a winner in just her second season—proves she’s a force to be reckoned with. As she prepares to face off against Bublé, Snoop, and Horan, McEntire is ready to unearth new talent and add another chapter to her storied career.

With Happy’s Place thriving, new music on the horizon, and her coaching duties in full swing, McEntire is juggling a lot, but she’s doing it with the grace and grit that have defined her for decades. “I’ve got my game face on,” she declared, and fans can’t wait to see her in action. As Season 28 approaches, all eyes will be on Team Reba, ready to discover the “incredible voices” she’s promised and cheer her on in her quest for another The Voice victory.