Reba McEntire Left Kelsea Ballerini a Sweet Handwritten Letter — and Gift — for Her First Day as Coach onThe Voice

Mar. 15, 2025

Reba McEntire and Kelsea Ballerini in Los Angeles in May 2016.Photo:Lester Cohen/Getty

Lester Cohen/Getty

Reba McEntireis rooting forKelsea Ballerini.During the season premiere ofThe Voiceon Monday, Feb. 3, first-time coach Ballerini found a sweet letter from McEntire — who coached on seasons 24, 25 and 26 — on her chair.“Dear Kelsea, I heard you would be the new coach this season and I’m just so excited for you. It’s up to you to keep country alive on the show and I know you’ll do a terrific job,” the letter from McEntire, 69, began.“Now go out there and show those boys who’s the boss,” she continued.In the letter, McEntire also wrote that she left the “Baggage” singer a “little good luck charm in case you need it.“In that moment, Ballerini, 31, turned to find McEntire’s crown from previous seasons — where she was dubbed “Queen Reba” — and placed it on her head.“I feel so fancy,” she said happily before walking away.Ballerini — who’s coaching this season alongsideMichael Bublé,John LegendandAdam Levine— is already off to a good start with two contestants on her team: Angie Rey and Dan Kiernan.Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, Adam Levine, and John Legend.Trae Patton/NBC via GettyMeanwhile, at the top of the show, all four coaches teamed up fora powerful renditionofElton John’s “Tiny Dancer.“Legend, 46, played the piano while Bublé, 49, and Ballerini sang along. Levine, 45, impressively hit the high notes throughout the ballad.Ballerini previously appeared on the show in 2021 when she sat-in forKelly Clarksonduring the Battle rounds. She also previously served as Clarkson’s battle advisor. In 2018, she was called in for the show’s first-ever comeback stage where she served as the fifth coach for select contestants who were eliminated during the blind auditions.In acover story interview withWomen’s Healthin October, the “Blindsided” singer opened up about how starring on the show will be different from her career as a musician.“I’ve gotten to the point where, if people don’t like my music, I’m like, ‘Fair enough. Not everything is for everyone,'” Ballerinitold the outlet, adding thatThe Voicemarked “the first time I was putting myself in a position where people are just not going to likeme.“The Voiceseason 27 premiered Monday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Reba McEntireis rooting forKelsea Ballerini.

During the season premiere ofThe Voiceon Monday, Feb. 3, first-time coach Ballerini found a sweet letter from McEntire — who coached on seasons 24, 25 and 26 — on her chair.

“Dear Kelsea, I heard you would be the new coach this season and I’m just so excited for you. It’s up to you to keep country alive on the show and I know you’ll do a terrific job,” the letter from McEntire, 69, began.

“Now go out there and show those boys who’s the boss,” she continued.

In the letter, McEntire also wrote that she left the “Baggage” singer a “little good luck charm in case you need it.”

In that moment, Ballerini, 31, turned to find McEntire’s crown from previous seasons — where she was dubbed “Queen Reba” — and placed it on her head.

“I feel so fancy,” she said happily before walking away.

Ballerini — who’s coaching this season alongsideMichael Bublé,John LegendandAdam Levine— is already off to a good start with two contestants on her team: Angie Rey and Dan Kiernan.

Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, Adam Levine, and John Legend.Trae Patton/NBC via Getty

Trae Patton/NBC via Getty

Meanwhile, at the top of the show, all four coaches teamed up fora powerful renditionofElton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”

Legend, 46, played the piano while Bublé, 49, and Ballerini sang along. Levine, 45, impressively hit the high notes throughout the ballad.

Ballerini previously appeared on the show in 2021 when she sat-in forKelly Clarksonduring the Battle rounds. She also previously served as Clarkson’s battle advisor. In 2018, she was called in for the show’s first-ever comeback stage where she served as the fifth coach for select contestants who were eliminated during the blind auditions.

In acover story interview withWomen’s Healthin October, the “Blindsided” singer opened up about how starring on the show will be different from her career as a musician.

“I’ve gotten to the point where, if people don’t like my music, I’m like, ‘Fair enough. Not everything is for everyone,'” Ballerinitold the outlet, adding thatThe Voicemarked “the first time I was putting myself in a position where people are just not going to likeme.”

The Voiceseason 27 premiered Monday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com