Behind The Scenes Of The Hit Reality Show The Voice
With surprising chair turns, shocking steals, and epic battles, the reality singing competition, The Voice, has become a staple in many households. Now in its 28th season, the series is on the hunt for the next great musical act.
Each season, celebrity coaches who have proved to be experts in the music industry build teams of aspiring singers in hopes of one being crowned champion. Currently, Reba McEntire, Michael Buble, Snoop Dogg, and Niall Horan have taken up residence in the iconic red chairs.
Read on to learn some of the behind-the-scenes secrets that make The Voice a success.
How much does the winner of The Voice make?
It is publicly advertised that the winner of each season of The Voice earns a recording contract with Universal Music Group. The value of this deal is unknown, as it would vary widely based on the trajectory of an artist’s career.
Additionally, it has been reported that winners receive a monetary prize of $100,000. While neither the network nor the series producers have confirmed this amount, past winners have made comments acknowledging that they indeed got paid.
Can you audition for The Voice multiple times?
There is no official limit on how many times a hopeful musician can audition for The Voice, as long as it is only once per season. In a 2023 interview, Reba McEntire spoke about eliminating contestants. She said:
“It’s good just to say, ‘If you want to come back again, try it again next season, maybe a song that suits you, one that you’re really comfortable with and that really shows your talent,’ give them advice and encourage them to come back.”
New this season is the “Carson Callback,” where host Carson Daly can give one lucky contestant who did not receive a chair turn the chance to come back with a second attempt to impress the coaches.
What happens before the Blind Auditions?
Voice viewers are first introduced to contestants during the Blind Audition round. However, much happens in the lead-up to that point. For many years, the show utilized in-person auditions around the country as well as individual recruiting to build its contestant pool.
Recently, they have leveraged technology, held virtual open calls, and accepted video submissions. Executive producer Audrey Morrissey explained that in advance of the Blind Auditions, judges review applicants for “five or six days with approximately 18 to 20 auditions per day.” She provided more detail on what happens once a contestant is selected for the Blinds:
“Artists are with us for several days prior to [their audition] to rehearse with our band, work with wardrobe/styling and camera block on the audition stage.”
How closely do the contestants work with the celebrity coaches?
According to Morrissey, the level of involvement varies by coach and tends to increase as the season goes on. She says:
“Some love a big production and like working out all the details…Other coaches mainly focus on the music and arrangement for the performance.”
Additionally, the vocal coaches, the band director, and producers all work collaboratively with the artists to create the best performance possible. Snoop Dogg told Access Hollywood:
“The behind-the-scenes people don’t get the credit that they deserve. It’s a lot of people, moving things, making it happen…All of these people back here that make our job easy, all we gotta do is walk onstage and do what we do.”
How are songs selected?
Of all the aspects of a performance, the coaches are most involved in song selection. While the contestants can share their input, the coach generally makes the final decision.
Season 24 winner Huntley praised coach Niall Horan for his expert direction in song choice. Others have noted frustration when they complete a performance, only to have their song selection (which may not have been their choice) be criticized.
Do Voice contestants style themselves?
An epic performance needs an epic outfit to match. The show has a wardrobe department that makes sure the contestants are show-ready once they have made it onto a team. They work alongside the artists to ensure their attire matches their personal style. Morrissey says:
“We shop for each artist to come up with great looks. Once we get to the live shows, looks are customized for each specific performance.”
Features Of The Iconic Red Chairs
The coaches’ stately red chairs are vital to the process of the show. Each chair is equipped with a main “turn” button, as well as three additional buttons used to block another coach from claiming a contestant. Each coach gets one block per season.
Additional features of the chairs are dual cup holders and adjustable seat heaters. Sound effects, such as the “whooshing” heard as a chair turns around, are added in post-production.
What is the dynamic of the coaches like off-camera?
Coaches on The Voice are naturally competitive and often push, challenge, and tease one another on camera. The persistent and famous rivalry between Blake Shelton and Adam Levine provided additional entertainment for viewers of the show.
Many wondered, was it real? Do they actually get along? Blake told The Tennessean:
“We are constantly at each other’s throats, and sometimes we really do get mad at each other. We’re those two guys you knew in high school where we have this bond that is unexplainable. It brings out the best and worst in both of us. It truly is an explosive relationship. And I know every trick to get under his skin.”
Niall Horan expressed to NBC that the coaches spend a lot of time together throughout production, and he was relieved to find that the relationships never felt forced or fake.
