Kelly Clarkson is thrilled to welcome rising country star Riley Green to “The Voice” as the show’s newest coach.
In a voicemail that she left for Green, seen in a video posted to the show’s social media accounts on May 10, 2026, the powerhouse singer and talk show host admitted she’s a huge fan of his but that she still fully intends to beat him and win season 30.
Kelly Clarkson Announces That She Plans to ‘Whoop’ Riley Green on ‘The Voice’
In the post, cameras captured Green intently listening to a message left for him by Clarkson, who returned to “The Voice” for season 29 after several seasons away. She has agreed to be a coach on season 30, too, as has returning coach Adam Levine.
“Riley Green, this is Kelly Clarkson,” the songstress started her voicemail. “Uh, that is officially the last time we’re gonna use each other’s full names ’cause we’re not tools. We’ve never officially met, so I’m super stoked to coach alongside you. Welcome to ‘The Voice!'”
“I was stoked when I heard you were gonna be a coach because I actually am a super fan of your music — you’re so good,” Clarkson continued, noting that she’s covered several of his songs on her talk show’s Kellyoke segment.
The “Stronger” singer then quipped, “Anyway, big fan, but — needless to say, fan and all, it’s a competition. So I, as a future friend, I sent you something. A little gift, a little something (for) while you’re out on the road doing shows and getting your head in the game for ‘The Voice’ coming up, because I think you’re gonna need the practice.”
“‘Cause Team Kelly’s gonna whoop that ass,” she hilariously sang, making Green chuckle.
Who is Riley Green & What Do Fans Think of Him Joining the Show?
In a May 9 post announcing Green as the show’s newest coach, a carousel of behind-the-scenes videos showed him listening to Clarkson’s voicemail and also discovering what she sent from the set of “The Voice” — his own red chair that the coaches sit in throughout the competition.
After listening to her message, he’s seen walking out to the stage on his tour and seeing his own chair sitting there. He immediately sat down and gave it a test run, spinning around in it, and then smiling, “I could get used to this.”
Green released his self-titled EP in 2018 and his career has taken off since, including landing the number one hit “There Was a Girl,” the three-time Platinum ballad “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” and a chart-topping collaboration with Thomas Rhett called “Half of Me.”
Fans loved hearing Clarkson’s voicemail to him, including a fan who wrote in the comment section, “Oh that’s so kind and thoughtful of @kellyclarksonshow … What a sweet pea… How fun and what a good sport and welcoming committee! … 😊… 👏👏👏”
Another quipped, “Good luck Riley you’re gonna need it with Queen Kelly around ❤️❤️❤️” and someone else chimed in, “😂she’s so gonna give you a run for your money”
NBC has not yet announced exactly when the new season will kick off, but it’s usually in the early fall. It’s also not clear if the show will stick with three coaches like in season 29 or expand again to four of them.
