The Knockout round of “The Voice” begins Monday night, and Blake Shelton — who has been a coach on the show since it premiered in 2011 — has said it is one of his least favorite parts of the show.
“You have these people, you beg them to be on your team, and then the very next thing you do is kick half of them off,” Shelton said of the show’s Battle and Knockout rounds in an interview with “Today.” “But that’s what makes it great to watch as a fan of the show. That’s what keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Shelton also teased that after 10 years, he may be ready to leave “The Voice” sooner rather than later. Last year, the country star proposed to Gwen Stefani — who has been a “Voice” coach on and off for five seasons. Shelton said he’s ready to enjoy a new chapter in life.
“We’ve both pretty much taken it to the limit as far as our careers go and touring and now the television thing,” Shelton told “Today.” “We’ve been fortunate to accomplish a lot of things. But, hopefully, at some point, we get a chance to live some life. I think we’re both ready for that, honestly.”
In the meantime Shelton — a seven-time “Voice” winner who has an album coming out next month — is hoping to secure his eighth victory on the show. This season, the Knockout round features 28 singers competing for a spot in the live shows. At this point, each coach on “The Voice” has seven singers on his or her team.
Kelly Clarkson, who missed the Battle rounds due to sickness, returns for the Knockouts. On Monday, the singer posted a picture of her on the set with Snoop Dogg, who is a mentor on the show this season.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the 28 singers competing during the Knockouts are:
Team Nick
- Dana Monique
- Zae Romeo
- Raine Stern
- Rachel Mac
- Jose Figueroa Jr.
- Keegan Ferrell
- Devan Blake Jones
Team Kelly
- Kenzie Wheeler
- Corey Ward
- Ryleigh Modig
- Gihanna Zoe
- Anna Grace
- Avery Roberson
- Savanna Woods
Team Legend
- Victor Solomon
- Ciana Pelekai
- Pia Renee
- Rio Doyle
- Zania Alake
- Gean Garcia
- Carolina Rial
Team Blake
- Cam Anthony
- Pete Mroz
- Ethan Lively
- Connor Christian
- Emma Caroline
- Jordan Matthew Young
- Andrew Marshall