‘The Voice’ Preview: Get A First Look At the Season 15 Live Shows

There’s a possibility that many fans of NBC’s The Voice would have preferred to watch their favorite reality competition show, but the follow-up to the Nov. 5 final knockout rounds was moved to Nov. 8 to allow for election coverage.

Before the excitement of the live rounds begins though, the show looked back at the season so far and talked to coaches Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton about how they were feeling as they go into the live rounds on Nov. 12.

This is Jennifer Hudson’s big return after taking a year off from the hit show and there is no doubt that her fellow coaches are concerned. Jennifer declared, “I came back for one reason and that reason is to win.” She also said, “This season, the chemistry is fun between the coaches, but y’all better watch out. I ain’t scared of nobody.”

Adam was quick to point out, “Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award. We’re all jealous.”

It’s been fun to see the friendship grow between J-Hud and Kelly, but that didn’t prevent Clarkson from using her block button, as did Adam. “I take it as a compliment that I got blocked twice,” she told host Carson Daly.

Blake Shelton, on the other hand, is building on his successful record as a six-time champ on the show to psych his pals out. “The fact that I’ve won this show more than any other coach, it’s kinda like an ace in the hole,” he jabs good-naturedly. “As much as the other coaches say it doesn’t matter, if you’ve won the show twice as much as the next close competitor, I’m sorry, that is a big deal.”

As Blake discussed his country-centric, but very diverse team, he also said, “My team, going into the live playoffs, is a guaranteed seventh victory for Team Blake.”

The reigning champ, Kelly Clarkson had plenty to say about her triumphant return. “I’m excited to be back for season 15 because I’m coming back a winner,” she joked. “Being a coach on the show, it’s just a really gratifying experience. You actually do learn a lot about yourself that maybe you didn’t know, and I’ve been doing this for 16 years. I’m excited I get to kinda help somebody accomplish what I feel like I’ve accomplished in my life.”

Of course, being the current champ means that Kelly has a target on her back and the coaches took the opportunity to tease her about her constant reminders of her victory and her Texas pride. But it was her “word economy,” as Carson called it, that got a reaction from all of the coaches. “She clearly adores the sound of her own voice,” Blake jabbed. Adam did admit, though, “It’s adorable, and I love her, and I don’t care. She can talk all she wants, I’ll listen. These ears are ready, even if they bleed. Talk on, Kelly, talk on.”

When Adam’s turn came up, he had a humble admission. He said, “Last season I struggled getting people. This season, I feel differently.”

He has certainly had the support of Kelly, on his left, but the two admittedly formed an alliance to attempt to dampen Blake’s success. The lanky country boy responded with, “Kelly and Adam have formed an alliance against me this season, which I’m not sure why, but I think it’s adorable.”

With or without Kelly’s help, Adam has assembled a team that has restored his confidence in taking home his fourth victory on The Voice. “My team going into the live playoffs is dynamic,” he said. “We are prepared for victory. There is no doubt in my mind that I have the best team this season.”

Let’s take one more look at the teams, including the finalists from The Comeback Stage, before we get into the live rounds next week:

TEAM J-HUD
Kennedy Holmes (13) – St. Louis, Missouri (four-chair turn)
Patrique Fortson (38) – Atlanta, Georgia
Colton Smith (21) – Albertville, Alabama
Franc West (38) – Cleveland, Ohio
MaKenzie Thomas (20) – Willingford, Kentucky
SandyRedd (35) – Chicago, Illinois (four-chair turn)

TEAM BLAKE
Kirk Jay (22) – Bay Minette, Alabama (four-chair turn)
Natasia GreyCloud (29) – Nashville, Tennessee
Chris Kroeze (27) – Barron, Wisconsin
Funsho (28) – Lagos, Nigeria / Los Angeles, California
Dave Fenley (39) – Nashville, Tennessee
Michael Lee (30) – Forth Worth, Texas

TEAM KELLY
Sarah Grace (15) – Houston, Texas
Keith Paluso (30) – Memphis, Tennessee
Kymberli Joye (26) – Windsor, Connecticut
Zaxai (29) – Delmas Haiti / Brooklyn, New York
Abby Cates (17) – Cincinnati, Ohio
Chevel Shepherd (16) – Farmington, New Mexico

TEAM ADAM
DeAndre Nico (22) – Port Arthur, Texas (four-chair turn)
Tyke James (17) – Laie, Hawaii
Reagan Strange (13) – Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Memmolo (35) – Boston, Massachusetts
Kameron Marlow (21) – Kannapolis, North Carolina
RADHA (19) – Jersey City, New Jersey

THE COMEBACK STAGE
Ayanna Joni (29) – Yonkers, New York
Lynnea Moorer (19) – Monterey, California