Yahoo News The Voice US confirms Reba McEntire as new judge for season 24
The Voice US has confirmed who will be taking a seat in the empty big red chair, ahead of season 23's debut.
Country music star Reba McEntire is set to replace Blake Shelton, after he announced that he was stepping down as a judge in October 2022.
Reba joins the rest of the returning panel led by John Legend, alongside One Direction’s Niall Horan and Gwen Stefani.
The singer is already familiar with the NBC show, as she served as a mega mentor last season, advising contestants during their song battles.
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The show is currently nearing the end of its 23rd season, with the live finale airing next week.
Blake previously discussed his reason for quitting The Voice, explaining that he wanted to step back from the role of coach to focus on his family and spend time with his wife Gwen, who he met on the show in 2014.
He told Access: "I think being a stepdad has changed my perspective in that I’m not the first person that I think about anymore.
"Even to the smallest little things when you go, 'I think I’ll do this', the very next thought is always, 'Well, wait a minute. How’s that going work?'"
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He concluded: "I think the only way for me to really do that right is to step away from being committed to something like The Voice that demands a lot of your time.
"There’s no way around it. If you’re going to do it and do it right, you have to be 150% in.
"And I just feel like those days are behind me for now. I got a more important job."
The Voice US airs on NBC.
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