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The Voice announced a major casting shakeup for who is set to coach for season 30.
Fans were shocked to learn country music sensation Riley Green would be the newest coach joining The Voice season 30.
See how fellow coach Kelly Clarkson felt about Riley being part of the show in the fall of 2026.
The Voice season 30 isn’t even here yet, and the show is already teasing a massive shakeup fans didn’t see coming.
Ever since season 29 wrapped up back in April, viewers have been anxious about which music superstars will be the coaches for The Voice season 30. With Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson already confirmed to return to the NBC series another season, that left at least one red chair empty…until now.
In an unexpected twist revealed on Instagram on May 10, folks learned that country music sensation Riley Green would be stepping in as a coach. And if that’s not enough, he had to share his thoughts about it with his own reaction to the announcement.
“Guess y’all can start calling me coach,” he wrote in the caption. “See ya this fall. @nbcthevoice #thevoice.”
When fans realized Riley would be joining The Voice family in this manner, they all couldn’t believe it.
“Welp, looks like I’ll be watching the Voice again after several years! 🔥,” one person wrote in the caption. “I can’t sing but YUP I’m auditioning! That’s it!!!!” another exclaimed. “Never watched The Voice, but I will now. 😂😂😂,” a different follower added.
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Well, this is certainly something we didn’t see coming! And for those unfamiliar with Riley, he released EPs in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 before releasing his debut album, Different ‘Round Here, in September 2019. He’s since released two more records, had a guest stint on the CBS series Marshals, and he won multiple ACM and CMA Awards in 2025.
With Riley bringing a fresh perspective to the coaching realm of The Voice, it only makes sense that Kelly would have some words for her fellow competitor for season 30!
“Riley Green! This is Kelly Clarkson,” she stated in a voicemail to Riley that was captured on video for Instagram on May 10. “That is officially the last time we’re gonna use each other’s full names, ‘cause we’re not tools. We have never officially met, so I am super stoked to coach alongside you. Welcome to The Voice.
“I was stoked when I heard you were gonna be a coach, because I actually am a super fan of your music, man,” she added. “You’re so good. You probably know that because I’ve covered your songs. Anyway, big fan. But, needless to say, fan and all, it’s a competition … I think you’re gonna need the practice, because Team Kelly’s gonna whoop that a**!”
Congrats, Riley, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does on The Voice!
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