Why Reba McEntire Was Once Reluctant to Join The Voice

Reba McEntire is one of country music’s most beloved icons. With a career spanning five decades, countless hits, and an unmistakable voice, she has become a part of American music history.

But even with all that experience under her belt, stepping into the world of reality television as a coach on The Voice wasn’t something she jumped at.

In fact, she flat-out said no the first time the opportunity came her way.

Now, at 70 years old, Reba is thriving in her red chair, gearing up to return for Season 28 of the NBC singing competition alongside an all-star lineup that includes Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Niall Horan.

But the journey to that seat wasn’t as straightforward as fans might think. Keep reading for more details!

“I Was Really Dreading It at First”

During a candid chat on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Reba got honest about her initial hesitation toward joining The Voice.

“I was really dreading it at first because I don’t want to tell anybody they suck,” she shared with a laugh.

Long before she became a fan-favorite coach, Reba had already been involved with the show.

She appeared as a part-time advisor on three different occasions, lending her experience and guidance to aspiring artists.

But when she was first approached to be a full-time coach, she turned it down.

Turning Down The Voice the First Time Around

Believe it or not, Reba could have been one of the original coaches when The Voice first arrived in the United States from Holland. But she passed on the opportunity, and for a good reason.

“I passed on it years ago when it first came over from Holland, and I said, ‘I can’t tell somebody, you know, don’t give up your day job.’ I’m not gonna do that!”

Her reason? She didn’t want to be the one to crush someone’s dreams. That kind of brutal honesty just didn’t sit well with her, especially coming from a place of genuine empathy and kindness. Reba is, after all, a nurturer at heart.

A Softer Approach Won Her Over

So, what changed her mind? Over time, the show’s coaching style evolved into something that felt more aligned with Reba’s values: supportive, uplifting, and encouraging.

“But the way we did it on the first time I was on The Voice, it was more helpful and encouraging,” she said.

That shift made all the difference. She realized she could offer meaningful guidance without having to deliver soul-crushing critiques.

“We’re nice people,” Reba explained of the coaching team. “We encourage. We lift up.”

That positive energy, both from her fellow coaches and the show’s overall vibe, helped her embrace the role she once dreaded.

Busy, Blessed, and Busier Than Ever

These days, Reba has a full plate.

Besides returning to The Voice, she’s also starring in the sitcom Happy’s Place and recently hosted the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards.

And if that weren’t enough, she’s also celebrating a huge personal and professional milestone, 50 years in country music.

Speaking to PEOPLE, she reflected on that incredible achievement. “Very grateful, very thankful,” she said. “I never thought at the 20th anniversary that I’d be hitting this one.”

She credited the trailblazing women before her, icons like Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn, for helping open doors for her and others in country music.

“But I have to give a lot of credit to people who have been before me. Tammy, Dolly, Loretta, who have paved the roads for girl singers of my generation and the ones that are coming up after me,” said Reba. “So it’s been a lot of fun.”

Faith and Gratitude at the Center of It All

Reba doesn’t take her long-lasting career for granted. She knows she’s been blessed, and she’s not shy about giving credit where it’s due.

“God gave me a gift and I try to use it and to give him all the praise and the glory,” she said. “Because without him I wouldn’t have had it and could have given it to somebody else, so I try to make him proud.”

That blend of humility, gratitude, and drive is part of what makes her so beloved, not just as a musician, but as a person.

A New Chapter with a Trailblazing Tune

To top it all off, Reba recently dropped a powerful new single titled Trailblazer, featuring fellow country stars Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson.

It’s her first release since last year’s I Can’t, and it feels like the perfect anthem to honor her legacy while celebrating what’s still to come.

At 70, Reba McEntire is not slowing down.

Whether she’s mentoring rising stars on The Voice, lighting up the screen, or delivering soulful music that resonates across generations, she’s showing the world that it’s never too late to take on new challenges and to do it all with heart.

TL;DR

• Reba McEntire initially turned down The Voice because she didn’t want to discourage aspiring singers.
• She was afraid of having to tell contestants harsh truths like “don’t give up your day job.”
• Reba had previously appeared as a part-time advisor on the show before officially becoming a coach in Season 24.
• Her perception changed when she saw the show’s more supportive, encouraging format.
• She’ll return as a coach for Season 28 alongside Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Niall Horan.
• Reba is also starring in Happy’s Place and recently hosted the 2025 ACM Awards.
• She’s celebrating 50 years in country music and calls it a “mind-boggling” milestone.
• She credited legends like Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn for paving the way for female artists.
• Reba expressed deep gratitude for her career, saying she tries to make God proud with the gift He gave her.
• She recently released a new single, Trailblazer, with Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.