Kelly Clarkson is making it clear that she did not return to “The Voice” simply to sit quietly in her red chair. A newly released Season 30 trailer shows the veteran Coach using an unexpected—and hilarious—strategy to convince one talented Artist to join her team.
NBC released the official Season 30 trailer on September 9, offering an early look at the Blind Auditions. Clarkson returns alongside Adam Levine, while Queen Latifah and country singer Riley Green make their debuts as Coaches.
The memorable Clarkson moment begins after an Artist compliments her hair. Instead of simply thanking the singer, Clarkson immediately sees an opportunity to strengthen her recruiting pitch and promises to give the Artist some of her hair if they choose her team.
Clarkson then proves she is serious by pulling out one of her hair extensions and holding it up for the contestant. The ridiculous but clever move catches the other Coaches by surprise and provides one of the funniest moments included in the new preview.
Queen Latifah seems particularly impressed by Clarkson’s willingness to do almost anything to recruit an Artist. Her amused reaction adds to the moment and offers an early glimpse at the playful chemistry developing between the veteran and first-time Coaches.
Clarkson’s competitive attitude appears elsewhere in the trailer as well. When longtime host Carson Daly asks whether she has any advice for the two new Coaches, Clarkson jokingly refuses to help them and instead makes it clear that she wants them to lose.
The hair-extension moment is hardly the only unusual recruiting tactic teased for Season 30. Queen Latifah is shown making a dramatic motorcycle entrance, Levine appears from a barrel of hay, and Green even brings his dog Carl onto the stage.
Green’s arrival could also create new competition for Clarkson and Levine. One Artist is shown flirting with the country singer, prompting Clarkson to physically position herself in the way as she attempts to keep the contestant’s attention away from her new rival.
Queen Latifah may prove equally difficult to beat. After praising one singer’s raspy voice and command of a song, the Oscar-nominated entertainer uses her famous “Queen” nickname as part of her recruiting pitch, even inspiring the studio audience to chant for her.
For Clarkson, Season 30 represents another chapter in an already successful history with the competition. She first became a full-time Coach in Season 14 and has since coached four winners, including Brynn Cartelli, Chevel Shepherd, Jake Hoot and Girl Named Tom.
Fans reacting to the new promo particularly enjoyed Clarkson’s unusual recruiting strategy. Comments highlighted her humor, competitive personality and willingness to go to ridiculous lengths to persuade talented singers to choose Team Kelly.
Viewers will soon find out whether Clarkson’s hair-extension offer actually works. “The Voice” Season 30 premieres Monday, September 21, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with additional premiere-week episodes airing Tuesday and Wednesday and streaming the following day on Peacock.
