Reba McEntire has transcended both music and television for decades, which made her an excellent judge on NBC’sThe Voice. With over 75 million records sold worldwide, Reba is one of the best-selling women in country music. She is also famous forleading her successful self-titled sitcomReba, which ran for six seasons. However, afterRebaended in 2007, her television appearances were sporadic. That is, until Reba became a judge/coach onThe Voiceseason 24. McEntire’s tenure lasted through season 26, though she won’t be returning for season 27, leading many to wonder why Reba is leavingThe Voice.
Drawing comparisons toAmerican Idol,The Voiceis also a hugely popular singing competition in which the winners get a record deal. However, unlike the former,The Voice’s judges also serve as coaches, working with contestants to sharpen their skills. The judges come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, with genres like pop, hip hop, and country represented. Blake Shelton is the country singer with the longest tenure, coaching fromThe Voiceseason 1-23. Though Reba only coached three seasons, she left her mark on the reality series, and will be missed in season 27.
Reba Likely Left The Voice To Star In The Sitcom Happy’s Place
NBC Ordered Additional Episodes Of Happy’s Place Season 1
Reba certainly had a successful run onThe Voice, as she became a winning coach in season 25 when one of her contestants, Asher HaVon, won the show. Though her hopefuls lost to Michael Bublé’s Sofronio Vasquez in season 26, McEntire still had excellent chemistry with fellow judges Bublé, Snoop Dogg, and Gwen Stefani. However, Reba’s TV popularity transcends the singing competition show, andthe reason she is not returning toThe Voiceseason 27 is likely because of her commitment to her new sitcom,Happy’s Place.
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Although most The Voice stars failed to enter the music industry, some did build successful careers following their stints on the series.
Premiering on NBC on June 15, 2025,Happy’s Placeis a multi-cam sitcom that reunites Reba with herRebaco-star Melissa Peterman. InHappy’s Place, McEntire plays Bobbie, a woman who inherits her deceased father’s titular bar in Knoxville, Tennesse along with her half-sister Isabella (Belissa Escobedo). Peterman plays Gabby, a bartender at Happy’s.
InReba, Melissa Peterman played Barbra Jean Hart, the dental hygenist whom Reba’s husband left her for.
So far,Happy’s Placehas been a ratings darling for NBC, as the series premiere drew in 14 million viewers, and 88% of viewers have been the key demographic of 18-49 year olds. NBC originally signed off on 13 episodes forHappy’s Placeseason 1, which is common for network shows, but has since ordered five more, bringing the sitcom’s inaugural season to 18 episodes (viaVariety). There’s no word on ifHappy’s Placeseason 2will happen yet, but given its popularity, it’s a definite possibility.
So, it’s safe to sayReba’s departure fromThe Voiceis likely due to shooting conflicts withHappy’s Place. However it’s possible the Reba may one day return to the singing show, as many judges have departed only to come back.
Reba’s Judge Replacement & Everything To Know About The Voice Season 27
Country Music Star Kelsea Ballerini Is Joining The Show Along With Two Returning Judges
Country music sensation Kelsea Ballerini will be filling Reba’s coaching seat onThe Voicefor season 27. Ballerini will join returning coaches John Legend and Adam Levine along with current coach Michael Bublé. Carson Daly is also set to return as the series' host. Like Reba, Balleriniis a country music singer.She has garnered five number one hits on the Country Airplay charts.
Ballerini has released five studio albums, with her debut,The First Time, released in 2015. Her debut single, “Love Me Like Like You Mean It” hit number 1 on the Country Airplay charts, making her the first female artist to achieve such a feat since Carrie Underwood in 2006. Ballerini has since had five singles on these charts, and she is also a five-time Grammy nominee.
This makes her a perfect addition toThe Voice, along with the fact thatshe already has experience on the show, serving as the fifth judge in season 15.The Voiceseason 27 returns to NBC on Monday, July 16, 2025.
