'The Voice' Season 23 Judges, Format Gets Major Revamp As Blake Shelton Leaves

After Season 23, Blake Shelton will be quitting "The Voice." It ends his more than-a decade-stint at the show as one of its long-standing coaches.

But before he exits the show, it seems like a major revamp will be happening when it comes to mentors and the show's formats - including a comeback of a well-loved music legend.

According to Billboard, Reba McEntire will be serving as the mega mentor for the upcoming season, a thing that isn't usually revealed yet this early on. McEntire, along with the four coaches - returning coach Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and newbies Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper - will be mentoring contestants that would make it to the Battle Rounds.

McEntire has appeared on The Voice before, serving as Shelton's advisor. Initially, the Country music legend was given a chance to become a coach in the first season, but she turned it down.

"I got [a look at] the Holland version of The Voice. They sent it to me and I said, 'I can't see me doing that. Because, you know, I'm a gypsy at heart," she told ET Online.

Meanwhile, McEntire's presence on the show might be a problem or two with Kelly Clarkson or not. This is because Clarkson's recently-divorce husband, Brandon Blackstock, is the stepson of the famed singer.

Aside from McEntire's new addition, "The Voice" will be introducing a new feature for the show.

'The Voice' Season 23 Rule Changes

Per Billboard, "The Voice" will be introducing the "Playoff Pass," a pass somewhat resembling a "Golden Buzzer" on the "Got Talent" shows.

Each coach will be given one chance to let both artists in a battle win, but one of the two will be given a head start and head directly to the Playoffs round, skipping the cutthroat Knockout Rounds.

All coaches will only be given one chance to activate their "Playoff Pass" and one steal, with a total of seven artists moving forward - meaning six contestants will go head to head on a Knockout.

Other coaches can still steal unselected artists during the Knockouts, but only once. Five artists per team will advance to the Playoffs, including the steal.

After the Knockouts, they will compete in the Playoffs, but only two will advance to the Live Semifinals.

"The Voice" Season 23 starts on May 6, 2023, on NBC.

Tags

The Voice, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton