People have asked me, ‘Can John Legend coach a country artist?’ Heck yeah. I wish he’d coach me,” said McEntire on ‘The Voice’

Kelly Clarkson; Reba McEntire; John Legend.Credit : The Voice/TikTok (3)

Kelly Clarkson got into a battle with John Legend and Reba McEntire on The Voice.

During the Feb. 23 episode of the NBC singing competition series, 19-year-old singer Julia Golden performed Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” and got both Clarkson, 43, and Legend, 47, to turn their chairs around. Then, the two coaches argued over who’s more suited to mentor a country artist.

Legend first tried to sway Golden in his direction by noting that he turned his chair around before Clarkson, but the “Since U Been Gone” artist explained she was too busy singing along to “Strawberry Wine.”

“I don’t know if you like Lee Ann Womack either, but I could hear a little bit of that in your voice, too. That’s my Texas queen,” said Clarkson, who praised Golden as “authentic” and “believable.”

Legend chimed back in. “Now that we don’t have a pure country artist on this dais here, Kelly believes she’s entitled to every country artist,” he said.

“I do not,” responded Clarkson. “I don’t feel that, I know that.”

“I’ve actually performed with Lee Ann Womack, by the way,” Legend told Golden.

“I did with Reba,” added Clarkson, who performed alongside the country icon on the 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour in 2008. [Clarkson was also previously married to McEntire’s late stepson, Brandon Blackstock.]

“Speaking of Reba McEntire,” said Legend, “who’s a fantastic coach on this show. The queen, you might say, of country music. I feel like she would have something to say about me.”

Clarkson appeared shocked and shouted, “Oh no, she did not!”

Kelly Clarkson.Trae Patton/NBC

Legend then directed everyone to look at a big screen, which displayed a video of McEntire, 70. “People have asked me, ‘Can John Legend coach a country artist?’ Heck yeah. I wish he’d coach me,” she began.

The “Fancy” singer added, “He’s absolutely fantastic. He’s a genius. He can do anything. He plays, he sings, he mentors. I know. I’m the queen of country music, and I endorse John Legend. I endorse this message.”

Clarkson announced she needed “just a minute” and called McEntire on the phone. “You made him a video? Did you? I can’t see you, but I know you hear me, girl,” she exclaimed.

Reba McEntire in February 2026.Frazer Harrison/Getty

“Calm down, girl,” replied McEntire.

“I just need Julia to hear. I make an excellent coach for country artists as well,” said Clarkson.

“Yes, ma’am,” said the Happy’s Place star.

“I love you so much, but I hate that video,” Clarkson told McEntire.

Fellow coach Adam Levine then endorsed the American Idol alum to mentor Golden, who ultimately chose to join Clarkson’s team.

The Voice airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock.