Reasons Behind Reba McEntire’s Departure from The Voice Season 27

Reba McEntire has long been a luminary in both the music and television landscapes, making her a remarkable judge on NBC’s popular show, The Voice. With an impressive track record of over 75 million records sold globally, she stands as one of the top-selling female artists in country music history. Beyond her musical accomplishments, Reba is well-remembered for her eponymous sitcom, which successfully aired for six seasons until 2007. After a hiatus from consistent television roles, she returned as a judge and coach on seasons 24 through 26 of The Voice. However, with her recent announcement that she won’t be part of season 27, fans are left speculating about the reasons behind her departure.

Similar to American Idol, The Voice has captivated audiences as a world-renowned singing competition where winners can secure a record deal. Unlike its predecessor, The Voice’s judges function as coaches, actively guiding contestants to enhance their skills. Each season features a diverse panel of judges representing various musical genres, including pop, hip hop, and country. Notably, Blake Shelton, a country music star, has been a mainstay since the show’s inception, coaching from seasons 1 through 23. While Reba’s three seasons on the show were impactful, her absence will undoubtedly be felt in the upcoming season.

Reba’s New Focus: Starring in Happy’s Place

NBC Expands Happy’s Place Season 1

Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman in Happy's Place

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn in Happy's Place

Reba McEntire’s stint on The Voice was certainly noteworthy, especially when she led her contestant, Asher HaVon, to victory in season 25. While her season 26 contestants faced tough competition from Michael Bublé’s team, her dynamic with fellow judges, including Bublé, Snoop Dogg, and Gwen Stefani, brought new excitement to the show. However, it seems the primary reason for her exit is her commitment to her new sitcom, Happy’s Place.

Set to premiere on NBC on October 18, 2024, Happy’s Place is a multi-camera sitcom that marks a reunion between Reba and her former co-star, Melissa Peterman. In this series, Reba portrays Bobbie, a woman who inherits her late father’s bar in Knoxville, Tennessee, and must navigate her relationship with her half-sister, Isabella, played by Belissa Escobedo. Melissa Peterman takes on the role of Gabby, a bartender at the establishment.

Melissa Peterman is well-remembered for her role as Barbra Jean Hart in Reba’s original sitcom, where she was the comedic foil to Reba’s character.

Since its announcement, Happy’s Place has quickly become a hit for NBC, drawing 14 million viewers for its premiere episode. Impressively, 88% of the audience belongs to the coveted 18-to-49 demographic. Initially, NBC commissioned 13 episodes, a standard practice for new network shows. However, due to the show’s success, the network quickly ordered an additional five episodes, expanding the first season to a total of 18 (source: Variety). While it remains unclear whether the series will be renewed for a second season, its robust viewership certainly suggests a strong possibility.

Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Reba’s departure from The Voice is primarily due to her filming schedule for Happy’s Place. However, there’s always a chance she may return, as many former judges have done in the past.

Reba’s Replacement and Season 27 Insights

Kelsea Ballerini Joins as a New Judge

Kelsea Ballerini as a guest coach on The Voice season 20

This season, country music star Kelsea Ballerini will take over Reba’s coaching position on The Voice. Joining her will be returning judges John Legend and Adam Levine, alongside current coach Michael Bublé. Carson Daly is also set to reprise his role as the series’ host. Like Reba, Ballerini is a well-known country music artist with five number one hits on the Country Airplay charts.

Ballerini burst onto the country music scene with her debut album, The First Time, in 2015. Her first single, “Love Me Like You Mean It,”made history by being the first song by a female artist to reach number one on the Country Airplay charts since Carrie Underwood in 2006. To date, she has released five studio albums and is a five-time Grammy nominee, solidifying her status in the genre.

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