People Magazine (March 12th 2018)

Kelly Clarkson Joins The Coaches!

What’s it like having Kelly on board?

LEVINE: I was really excited when I heard she was going to join. Alicia and Kelly are both people I love and admire.

KEYS: I love that there’s two women! I think it has really egualized the show. Kelly is phenomenal and so much fun. I think America is going to really enjoy getting to know her.

SHELTON: We have the best part of American Idol here at The Voice. We have it all on this show because of her.

Kelly, why did you want to join?

CLARKSON: I come from a show like this. The blind auditions were my favorite part because I grew up singing opera, and we had a similar process so there wasn’t any favoritism. I love that it was a full-circle thing.

Are you taking advice from Blake?

CLARKSON: I don’t take his advice; I take a note from his actions. He really does care and helps people after the show, and I’d like to do that as well. But he will mess with me left and right!

LEVINE: Blake says things that are straight-up deceptive.

SHELTON: Make no mistake, Kelly Clarkson is my friend. But when she’s on this show, she is my enemy.

CLARKSON: I’m a threat. I love that.

Since your husband, Brandon Blackstock, also manages Blake, is he taking sides?

CLARKSON: He’s like Switzerland! He’s for both. I always do say, though, that at least I put out—so unless he’s doing something I don’t know about, I should win.

SHELTON: If I fire Brandon, it’s one thing. If Kelly fires him, it’s going to be real bad. He knows who to suck up to.

What do your kids think?

CLARKSON: My 3-year- old daughter River Rose loves Blake. He has this gravitational pull. I’ve even seen him with [Shelton’s girlfriend Gwen Stefani’s] sons, and he’s like this tree that they all climb on.

SHELTON: I’m an amusement ride for kids.

At this point who’s the biggest competition?

KEYS: I’ m always going to say me.

LEVINE: The truth is we all say that it’s us. But we all know deep down the real answer is that it’s Blake. The dude has a strange hold on America.

CLARKSON: He has a great voting base, but I’ve won something where people voted.

KEYS: As long as Blake doesn’t win, we’re all happy. We’re ready for a change!