Before taking her red chair, Queen Latifah reportedly went to someone who knows the show well: former coach John Legend. [Insert Legend’s advice here once confirmed. For example, what he told her about how the competition really works.]
Latifah joined Season 30 as the fourth coach alongside Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and newcomer Riley Green, and it marks her debut on the show. Legend was a coach on Season 29 with Clarkson and Levine. He isn’t returning this season, and reports say he’s focusing on touring. cfjctodaycfjctoday
Whatever she learned, it seems to be working. Green told Today that the competition is tough, and that Latifah is very, very famous. He also named Clarkson as the coach he’s most worried about, since she may try to recruit country acts for her team. americansongwriter
Latifah showed her competitive side in the blind auditions. One country singer earned a four-chair turn and shocked everyone by picking Latifah over Green. Green won the first four-chair turn of the season, though, beating out Clarkson, Levine and Latifah. tvinsideramericansongwriter
The coaches’ rivalry is part of the show’s appeal. Green joked “I hate that for you” to Clarkson, who answered that “Riley Green is killing it.” Executive producer Audrey Morrissey said Latifah is someone the show had wanted for a long time, and that the coach chemistry felt great from moment one. Latest Music News & Stories +2
With Green already leading the pack and Latifah drawing in top talent, the battle for Season 30 is just getting started.
The Voice airs on NBC.
