The Voice is Back for a 29th Season and it’s a Star-Studded Episode 1!

Original coach Adam Levine is back for season 29 of The Voice, along with favorites Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. There are only three big red chairs this time, along with exciting competition for these champions of The Voice. The first episode aired on Feb 23, 2026, and it was everything we could hope for.

The Voice Coaches

One place where The Voice has always differed from other talent competitions is the use of the title “coach” rather than “judge.” The contestant performances are judged, at some point, but the focus is on coaching them to perform at their best.

This season, we see the return of Adam Levine, frontman for Maroon 5, three-time winner, and one of the original four The Voice coaches. He’s joined by the incredible singer with a big heart, Kelly Clarkson, who has won four times. And, finally, John Legend, the EGOT holder, joins them, though, interestingly, he has just one win.

Why only three coaches? That’s the fault of the NBA (booo… sports ball). Well, not exactly. NBC has added NBA games to its lineup, so The Voice is only airing on Mondays. No Tuesday episodes. That’s just two hours each week, leading to the decision to have three coaches rather than smaller teams.

All three coaches came out swinging, fighting to win the best singers for their teams. And they look good doing it. Levine looked relaxed in ripped-up jeans and a button-up shirt. Clarkson’s black-and-white outfit with the loose bow tie looked great on her. And Legend looked comfortable in the loose-fitting, zipped-up white jacket and gray slacks. Of course, they have special gifts for the artists. With the sports theme, Levine has basketball jerseys, Legend has baseball jerseys, and Clarkson has football jerseys.

The Blinds

Let’s talk auditions. We’re not here only for the coaches’ antics. The singers gave it their all as they came out to earn those chair turns.

Twenty-year old Lucas West started things off with an incredible rendition of “Bennie and the Jets” while accompanying himself on keyboard. Legend and Levine both turned, but it seemed like West knew who he would choose before he even walked on the stage. So the first artist went to Legend.

Second artist, Alexia Jayy, certainly made an impression with her low register and the enchanting flowers in her hair. But it was her nine-year-old son, Matthew, who stole the moment, especially when Legend asked who he listens too and Matthew said, “Maroon 5.” Legend wasn’t wrong when he said he shouldn’t have asked.

More Favorite Moments

• Julia Golden’s teary reaction when Kelly Clarkson turned her chair, and when she called Reba McEntire. (And those glittery cowboy boots.) First country singer goes to Clarkson!
• Seventeen-year-old Landon Price singing John Legend’s “Glory.” He didn’t get on a team, but he’ll be back. His voice is special, and he just needs to mature and practice more.
• Jonah Mayor singing in Italian. That voice! And he is funny. More Jonah Mayor, please.
• Liv Ciara’s return (the 16-year-old auditioned in season 28). She brought tears to my eyes, and then she teared up when she finished. That performance was beautiful.
• Soulful singer, Jeremy Keith, performing “You Are My Lady.” That three-chair turn proves you don’t have to be a teenager to get that love. But it got better. That duet with John Legend… But he shocked everyone with his choice of coach.

The Teams So Far & Their Song Choices

Adam Levine

• Alexia Jayy – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
• Bay Simpson – “The Waiting”
• Jeremy Keith – “You Are My Lady”

Kelly Clarkson

• Julia Golden – “Strawberry Wine”
• Abigayle Oakley – “Call Your Girlfriend”
• Jonah Mayor – “Il Mondo”
• Liv Ciara – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
• Aaron LaVigne – “Feels Like the First Time”

John Legend

• Lucas West – “Bennie and the Jets”
• AJ Robinson – “Watermelon Moonshine”

Who Will Get the Super Steal?

Season 29 also adds a twist in the form of the Super Steal. Whoever wins the most three-chair turns will get a special Super Steal for the Battle Round. They can use it to override another coach’s attempt to steal an artist. As if these three weren’t already competitive, with this advantage on the table, they’re really fighting and being even more strategic when they turn. That’s probably why Clarkson didn’t turn for the first singer.

Here’s where things stand:

• Adam Levine: 2
• Kelly Clarkson: 1
• John Legend: 0

How will it turn out? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But I’ll be tuning in next week to see what happens. It’s so much fun to watch the coaches who are clearly having a great time. And there’s already been some great talent on the stage. Next week is sure to be fiery!

The Voice airs Monday nights on NBC and streams on Peacock the following day.