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As we head into the final weekend of Pride celebrations around the U.S., get into some of our favorite new releases from LGBTQ artists! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
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From Kim Petras’ long-awaited new album to Demi Lovato’s seething new anthem for abortion rights, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kim Petras, Feed the Beast
What is the titular Beast of Kim Petras’ new album? For each person it’s different, but for the fast-rising pop superstar, it’s pop music itself. Throughout Feed the Beast, Petras gives in to every pop urge she’s had throughout her career, leaning hard into the Eurodance and rave tracks that raised her (employed to particularly excellent effect on album standout “King of Hearts”), while also dipping a toe back into the bubblegum stylings of her past performances. It’s a relentless, thrilling rollercoaster of pure pop indulgence — which is nothing less than what you’d expect from Petras.
Demi Lovato, “SWINE”
If you thought Demi Lovato was angry on Holy Fvck, you’d better sit down for their new single. “SWINE” is Lovato at her most furious, fueled by righteous indignation at the looming first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Pounding, relentless drums and roiling guitars make “SWINE” sound like a long lost nu-metal anthem, as Lovato bitterly snipes, “F–k what I think, I don’t know a thing/ The government knows my body.” That sound only adds to the star’s seething vocal, as they rage against the system that aims to strip women of their bodily autonomy. When Lovato sings to “give these motherf–kers hell,” it doesn’t sound like a lyric; it sounds like a call to action.
Boyish feat. King Princess, “Kill Your Pain”
There’s just something about the pairing of indie-rock duo Boyish and queer star King Princess that works perfectly. On “Kill Your Pain,” the new collaboration from the trio, Boyish & King Princess are completely in-synch, as they lament a relationship so all-encompassing that they began to lose sight of their individuality. Mikaela Straus fits just right with lead singer India Shore, as they trade verses back and forth about the frantic, messy realization of a connection this doomed.
Hayley Kiyoko, “Somewhere Between the Sand and the Stardust“
With her new single, Hayley Kiyoko is letting us in on something hard. “Somewhere Between the Sand and the Stardust” follows the pop singer as she processes her own grief in the wake of a friend’s death. Her voice, brimming with layers of rich vocoder notes, mournfully tries to make sense of the passing, while also acknowledging the end of her friend’s pain. It’s a heartbreaking ode to losing those we love, and one we highly recommend listening to.
Big Freedia, Central City
Big Freedia never went away — but this week, she’s back in a big way. Central City, the bounce icon’s first full-length studio album in nearly a decade, serves as a hand-guided tour from Freedia through the sonic landscape of New Orleans, featuring all the bounce and hip-hop you could hope to get your hands on. Dash in massive guest appearances from stars like Lil Wayne, Ciara, Faith Evans and plenty more, and you’ve got a monumental moment for the Queen Diva on your hands.
The Blessed Madonna feat. Jacob Lusk, “Mercy”
It’s time to let your hair down, queers — The Blessed Madonna is here with a brand new Pride anthem, just in time as the final festivities of June begin to take place. “Mercy,” featuring vocals by the enchanting Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, is a slice of house music heaven, complete with a four-on-floor beat and some groovy bass to elevate the vibe. By the time the choir kicks in on the song’s post-chorus, you’ll be giving it your all on the dancefloor.
Kidd Kenn, “Everywhere I Go”
For those who have been following the career of up-and-coming rapper Kidd Kenn, be warned; his new era is upon us. “Everywhere I Go” sees the once-rapid rapper switching up his style — gone are the flexed out bars of past singles, now replaced by a more melodic, more even-keeled flow. With that flow comes a new attitude; throughout the track, Kenn exudes nothing but cool, collected confidence on this delectable new offering.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
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Kevin Jonas and Frankie Jonas are coming back for an even bigger season of Claim to Fame. The new season premieres Monday (June 26) on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, and the next day on Hulu and streaming services that offer ABC.
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The two co-hosts have a new slew of celebrity relatives ready to compete at a chance for fame and fortune all while trying to conceal the identity of their famous family members. The brothers took the lessons they learned from the first season when putting together season two. Some aspects of the first season will remain the same, but they’ve upped the ante this season with new challenges, clues and surprises for contestants and the audience.
“I think we learned so much, whether it be from the challenges [or] from the contestants,” Frankie tells Billboard. “I mean, we got some really crazy big names this season, and I think a lot of that has to do with how well the first season was received.”
One of the biggest changes viewers can expect this season? No one will know the identities of the contestants.
“When you’re watching the show, the play-along is going to be much bigger this time around, which is awesome,” Kevin shares. “Just like what me and Franklin deal with every single day on set. We’re trying to figure it out, too, so it’s really fun.”
The cast for season two will include 12 new contestants, including Carly, JR, Gabriel, Chris, Hugo, Karsyn, Cole, Jane, Monay, Olivia, Shane and Travis. Each player will have to rely on strategy and wits to determine who the other contestants’ famous relatives could be while keeping their own on lockdown.
Get your magnifying glasses and notebooks ready, as the clue board will make an appearance assisting the players and the audience in uncovering everyone’s identities.
Catch season two of Claim to Fame on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, or the next day on Hulu.
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Kevin and Frankie also spoke with Billboard on how it is working together, the upcoming Jonas Brothers tour and Frankie’s upcoming EP.
Looking back on season one, who do you think was the most surprising reveal?
Kevin: I’ll say L.C. [Loreal Chanel Palmer, sister of Keke Palmer]. I really didn’t see who she was related to ’til really close to the end.
Frankie: Yeah, I mean with L.C., I think it was right around the costume show that we did that I was like, ‘All right, I think I have an idea [of] who they’re related to.’ But then the next week, I got a curveball. They really knew how to play the game, and there’s a reason they won and it showed.
What is the best part of working together as co-hosts?
Kevin: We obviously live very independent lives outside of this show that we do together. Franklin is very busy doing his music career now, which is incredible, and I’m in this other band. But we’re just so happy that we finally get to spend some time together in this component. We’re 13 years apart, so I started living life a little sooner and out of the house when he was younger. It was nice for both of us to be able to be refocus our energy and actually spend this quality time together — and it never feels like work when you’re working with Franklin.
Frankie: That’s really sweet, Kevin — and same. We just have a lot of fun on set and our relationship as brothers has really gotten so close because of this show. Out of all the family members, I’ve really only worked with Kevin, which is crazy. Whether it’s Camp Rock 2 or our dynamic, it’s really fitted well for this sort of work together — and I just have so much fun. I’m so grateful that I got to do it with Kevin because [there’s] no one else on the planet I would want to do the show with.
Kevin and Franklin Jonas on ‘Claim to Fame.’
ABC/John Fleenor
Do you find yourself rooting for specific contestants and getting a sibling rivalry going on?
Kevin: There’s definitely some rivalry, I’ll say that. There’s definitely some you’re pulling in, rooting for side bets going on. But on this season, everyone was surprising. I think they watched the first season and really [had] a good understanding of how to play the game a little bit better than the first time around because it was brand new. They know what to expect a little bit, but then we definitely throw them some curveballs. I won’t give anything away, but it’s worth the watch. The contestants are super fun and really intense. They should be the stars in their family with as much drama as they brought.
Kevin, you have the upcoming tour. How do you feel about it and revisiting old songs?
Kevin: It’s really exciting! Five albums in one night. It is the biggest thing we’ve ever tried to put together. I’m not trying to hype it up. It really is a lot. It’s three hours and 42 minutes of music that we’ve got to figure out how to play in maybe two and a half to three — so we’re going to be on stage for a very long time. … But to see where we were back then and hear those songs now, sung when I’m 36 years old is pretty special.
How does it feel to rehearse with your brothers again?
Kevin: It all feels like one day now at this point, [but] this is going to be a little different. The music rehearsals are fun because this is where we really get to build out what this is going to be. We have not had the same set list in the last three years, which is really great. It’s really opened up our ability to play almost everything in our catalog, but at the same time be able to mix and match where we want to put things. So we’ve had some time to play around with what ideas, what works where. To start the tour at Yankee Stadium is going to be insane (Aug. 12-13). And then we’re off to the races and there’s more to come as well. I won’t give everything away, but these are not the only dates on our calendar. My next year looks very full.
Frankie, you have an EP coming out. How do you feel about it?
Frankie: I’m excited! It’s been a long, long journey debating whether I was going to go down this path or not, but I’ve always loved music and I’ve always loved making music. It got to a point where the demos on my laptop of these crazy, wacky samples of Coldplay chords got too much for me not to do something with … I grew up watching some of the greats and to now be doing everything I can, every day to remember everything I’ve learned from watching them my whole life, it’s special — and it’s the family business.
What’s your creative process look like?
Frankie: It changes [from] song to song — I think most of the time I start with a sample. I started making music by making trap beats in college, and that continued into eventually me making my own style of music. But, now that I’ve been doing it for more and more, I now write a lot more composition, which is something newer to me.
Did you seek out any advice from your brothers?
Kevin: I’m going to be honest, Franklin really knew what he wanted to do. I think we understand what it feels like when an outside source comes and tries to give you advice unsolicited — and we do our best to not do that to each other. He was always going to do his own thing, so we were just waiting in the wings, waiting to see what he was going to accomplish [and] “Hoboken” is one of my favorite songs of the last year to actually come out.
Is there one song in particular you’re excited for people to hear?
Frankie: I’m excited for people to hear one song in particular because there’s a sample of Kevin as a kid — Kevin and Joe actually — from a children’s choir from a very long time ago that it makes its way onto the album and the EP.
Donald Trump is facing a mounting legal crisis, with evidence continuing to pile up around his indictment on 37 felony counts ranging from mishandling classified documents, obstructing justice and more. Randy Rainbow, naturally, is having a field day.
In the comedian’s latest parody video posted Friday (June 23), Rainbow skewers Trump for his legal “strategy” in the face of a historic criminal case against the former president. Starting out his video as he typically does, Rainbow conducts a fake interview with Trump — this time pulling clips from the mogul’s interview with Fox News‘ Bret Baier in which the former Apprentice host all but admitted to obstructing justice.
As Trump flails in the interview, claiming that the pieces of paper he showed to people were not “documents per se,” Rainbow quickly lashes back. “Sweetie, I don’t mean to grab you by the ‘per se,” he quips. “But according to the indictment, there is a recording of you saying, and I quote, ‘Look at me, I have classified documents, these are definitely not declassified, look at me, look at me, I’m a big boy. Daddy, please love me.’”
Just as things were heating up in his faux one-on-one with Trump, Rainbow launches into his latest song, titled “Donald in the John With Boxes.” Styled after The Beatles’ classic hit “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” Rainbow goes full Sgt. Pepper mode, complete with multicolored outfits and spot-on facial hair, to mock the fact that the former president was keeping boxes of classified documents in his bathroom.
“Just within reach of his diapers and Pepto/ Our national secrets and nuclear codes,” Rainbow sings. “Sits on the can thumbing classified records/ Like they’re old golf magazines.”
The new video comes just after Rainbow announced his forthcoming tour, aptly titled Randy Rainbow for President, which will see the comedian bringing his brand of political parodies across the country this fall. Tickets are currently on sale on his website.
Check out Randy Rainbow’s “Donald in the John with Boxes” parody above.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
One of your favorite artist beauty brands just added new shades to its product lineup — and you can shop it now. Ariana Grande showed off shimmery lips on Thursday (June 22) when she announced new shades for R.E.M. Beauty’s thank u, next plumping lip gloss line. You can officially snag these limited-edition shades exclusively on the makeup brand’s site.
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In a series of posts on Instagram, the Wicked actress teased the new shades with a cute video of her sporting trendy accessories from the ’00s — including a fluffy bucket hat. In it, she is seen talking on a flip phone with herself describing the thank u, next-inspired shades named after songs from the album including “needy,” “7 rings” and “thank you, next.”
“I’m going to head over to the website myself now and order some myself before her mom orders all them,” she says at the end of the video.
Keep scrolling to see the whole video and shop the new shades.
These shades won’t be sticking around forever and, in fact, are a part of the larger thank u, next capsule that the brand released prior. The video also hinted at more new products to come soon — “not like 10 days or less soon, but soon soon,” the star specified in the video.
Limited-Edition thank u, next Plumping Lip Gloss
$17
Achieve softer, more kissable lips with the help of this plumping lip gloss. It comes in three limited-edition shades including pink, mauve and light pink with champagne accents. The lip gloss uses ingredients like passionfruit and apricot oils to help nourish, hydrate and leave lips looking glossy and hydrated. When applied, there may be a cooling sensation on your lips, which is just the plumping properties working. Plus, R.E.M. Beauty is PETA-approved meaning it’s cruelty-free!
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best makeup tools for beginners, refillable lipsticks and celebrity fragrances.
Damsel in distress be damned — Kim Petras is ready to liberate herself with her brand new album. On Friday (June 23), Petras unveiled her long-awaited new album Feed the Beast via Republic Records / Amigo Records. Spanning 15 tracks, the new album soundtracks the fast-rising trans pop star’s journey toward self-acceptance, styled around the […]
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Get ready for a Furby revival. The plushy toy that caused stampedes (and hundreds of fights) in the late ‘90s, will be reintroduced to a new generation for its 25th anniversary, Hasbro announced Thursday (June 22).
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“Following its craze-inducing launch in 1998, Furby has taken the world by storm, impacting every corner of the culture zeitgeist, from music to television and film,” said Kristin McKay, vp & general manager, Hasbro fashion & preschool. “For the brand’s 25th anniversary, we wanted to ignite the same excitement for this new generation by harnessing Furby’s power of nostalgia while giving Gen Alpha everything they crave.”
Just how big was Furby mania? The robotic toy, introduced by Hasbro’s Tiger Electronics imprint, became an instant fan favorite selling over 40 million units in the first three years. The Furby franchise expanded to Furby Babies and Furby Friends including Gizmo Furby (stream Gremlins here). After sales stalled, Furby was revived in 2005 and again in 2012.
The new and improved Furby — available in purple and coral — retails for $69.99 at Amazon and will be released to other major retailers on July 15. Furby is designed for kids ages 6 and up, but ’90s babies will enjoy the nostalgia.
Despite new features such as five voice-activated modes and over 600 responses, including lights, sounds and 10 “unique songs,” the cuddly, interactive toy has the same bug-eyed design as its predecessor — but with a few, colorful updates.
Coral Furby features shades of pink fur, turquoise ears and big, black eyes with gold stars in them. Purple Furby has a similar look with turquoise fur highlights, turquoise ears and the signature big eyes, but with pink hearts in them.
Furby responds to hugs, pats, belly tickles, shaking, and you can feed it a toy pizza charm. The fuzzy creature can tell your fortune, host a mini dance party or light show and respond to other commands such as “Copy Cat” and “Let’s Chill.” Whatever it takes to match your mood, Furby will make it happen.
Purchase your furry bestie below.
Furby Coral, 15 Fashion Accessories, Interactive Plush Toys
$69.99
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Need a new pair of slides? Summer is just getting started, but the weather has been heating up for weeks in some places, and if you’ve been looking for comfortable shoes to slide into for the Fourth of July, we have the perfect list for you.
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Below, find a collection of nine of the most comfortable slides to rock this summer. From Adidas to Birkenstocks, Crocs and more, keep reading for our list of comfortable summer shoes for men and women priced from $12 and up.
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Amazon
adidas Men’s Adilette Shower Slides Black/White/White
$from $12.00
Kicking things off with a classic: Adidas Adilette Slides are ideal for wearing around the house, the pool, and shower. These slides feature a quick-drying Cloudfoam footbed that cradles your feet with soft cushioning, the EVA outsole provides lightweight comfort, while the bandage-style upper features brand’s signature three-stripes. You can get Adidas Adilette slides in more than a dozen different colors and sizes at Adidas, Amazon, Zappos and other retailers.
Old Navy EVA Slide Sandals for Women
$18.80 $24.99 25% off% OFF
On a tight budget? These eco-friendly Old Navy retail for under $25, and they’ve earned a near-perfect customer rating. Colors include cosmic rouge (pictured above), moon sand, blackjack, mango sherbert, white lilies and saguaro (green). For a similar style, try the Cushionaire slide ($25).
Classic Crocs Slide
$22.49 $29.99 25% off% OFF
Speaking of cloud-like comfort, Crocs’ Classic II Slide is equipped with the trademarked Croslite foam cushion to keep your feet comfortable — regardless of whether you’re at the beach or in the backyard. They’re also lightweight, easy to clean and available in numerous colors including white, blue, black, pink, yellow, violet and red — but they’re only on sale in select colors. Like other Crocs, the Classic II Slide has holes at the top to load up your with up to 13 Jibbitz charms. Click here for more Crocs to buy this summer.
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Amazon
Women’s OOahh Slide Sandal
$59.95
The OOahh Slide Sandal from Oofos comes highly recommended from thousands of satisfied customers. They might look a little funny to some (“They’re like if Crocs and Birkenstocks had a baby,” according to one Amazon reviewer), but they get high marks for being affordable and extremely comfortable. Available in men’s sizes and women’s sizes, the OOahh Slide comes in nine different colors (black, cabernet, forest green, eggnog, mocha, navy, purple haze, water drop, and slate) and sizes ranging from 3 to 14. Find your perfect pair at major retailers such as Amazon, REI, DSW, and at Oofos.com.
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All Birds
Allbirds Sugar Sliders
$35 $50 30% off% OFF
Comfy and cushy, Allbirds’ Sugar Sliders come in five different colors including orange, black, pink, blue and white. The shoes are made from trademarked SweetFoam materials which are derived from sugarcane and the world’s first eco-friendly EVA (the rubber-like material typically used to make soles). Also featured: webbing straps made from recycled polyester and a bio TPU strap end.
Arizona Birko-Flor Birkenstock
$55 $110 50% off% OFF
A timeless summer shoe. Birkenstock sandals are made to get your through multiple seasons, but they’re especially great during the summer. The Arizona Birko-Flor pictured above is available in green and blue and 50% off — but it’s almost out of stock, so move quickly to ensure that you get your size. Click here to shop additional styles.
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Tuckernuck
Cognac Leather Alibi Sandals
$155
Tuckernuck’s Cognac Alibi Sandal is a cheaper alternative to the $700 Hermes Oran Sandal. The cognac-colored sandals pictured above will pair perfectly with jeans, shorts, a sundress and other summer looks. For similar designs, check out the Steve Madden Hoku Slide ($50) and this $20 banded sandal from Amazon Essentials.
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Tory Burch
Tory Burch Miller Cloud Sandal
$127 $198 36% off% OFF
Tory Burch’s Miller Cloud Sandal is currently on sale in butter yellow, but the sandal is available in different colors including ivory, brown and black. This chic sandal feature a molded footbed wrapped in soft leather, a dual-density foam core with a rubber sole and a graphic logo at the top (laser-cut with hand-painted edges). Click here for more deals on Tory Burch sandals and shoes.
Givenchy Logo Slide
$295
The jury’s still out on the most comfortable designer slides, but if you’re interested in splurging, consider the Givenchy logo print sandal ($295). The slip-on sandal features a rubber sole with the Givenchy logo on the top. If you’re in the market for more designer footwear, check out the Versace Greca Sandal ($325), Gucci Rubber Slide ($400), or Burberry Equestrian Knight Slide Sandal ($750).
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Commuting anywhere — whether it’s to work, visit family or pick someone up from the many tours and festivals happening now — can be long if you don’t have the right music and devices with you. Instead of spending your drive or flight trying to fill the time, having the right commuter gadgets can make your journey all the more smooth.
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Whether it’s a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones to drown out nearby chatter or a slim e-reader to dive into your collection of music books, we’ve found the best commuter gadgets to keep you plugged in and ready to tackle commutes of all types of transportation and lengths.
Keep scrolling to check out our picks of bestselling and highly rated devices for commuting from Amazon, Walmart and more.
Amazon
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones
$169.00 $349.95 52% OFF
Beats wireless headphones have garnered rave reviews — and it’s easy to see why. Not only is the Studio 3 model an Amazon Choice, but it’s rated 4.7 stars with over 30,000 shoppers giving it a five-star rating for its “excellent noise canceling and AMAZING battery life,” as one reviewer put it.
Amazon
Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter
$54.99
Wireless headphones and earbuds have grown in popularity, but airplanes typically don’t have the Bluetooth capabilities for its in-flight entertainment — but that’s where the AirFly Pro comes in. Simply plug it into a headphone jack and you’ll be able to connect your wireless listening device straight to it. Plus, it’s compact enough to throw in a backpack, purse, fanny pack and more.
Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (8GB)
$139.99
Our purses, suitcases and satchels don’t have enough room for more than two books at once, which is why a Kindle Paperwhite is such a great investment. You’ll have access to thousands of books in your own personal library without the added weight. You can also customize the text size, brightness and more to make it uniquely your own.
Walmart
Durecopow 20000mAh Solar Charger
$25.99 $49.99 48% off% OFF
Don’t let a low battery slow you down when you’re on the go. This portable charger is ideal for traveling, camping or just juicing your phone up at work. It doesn’t require a cable to charge itself up either thanks to the solar panel design that’ll keep it at a strong battery level wall you charge up to two devices at once. It even comes with a built-in compass and flashlight to adapt to your adventures.
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
$299.00 $359.99 17% OFF
This Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 will allow you to track your fitness goals, text, call and even listen to music. For days you forget your phone at home or don’t want to dig around in your tote bag to find it, this watch will tell you everything with just a simple glance. Plus, it’s on sale!
Nintendo Switch
$283.80
Take your gaming with you on the go with a compact Nintendo Switch. Whether you’re looking to sport you latest Legend of Zelda merch or just want to have a gaming session on the train, this device will let you do it all. Traveling with a friend? The Joy-Cons easily split for multiplayer action, so you can play together while you wait to reach your destination.
Best Buy
Ember Thermos
$199.99
The Ember Thermos is the splurge-worthy accessory that will keep you coffee, tea and more at the perfect temperature — in style. Choose how hot or cold you want your drink using the touchpad and enjoy up to three hours of a full charge before needing to return it to its charging coaster. Bye, bye trips to the microwave!
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best travel backpacks, luggage deals and travel necessities.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Grab your sunscreen and get ready to have the trendiest fits of the summer as Adidas and Ivy Park have created […]
After OG coach Blake Shelton‘s final spin last month, The Voice is continuing its reinvention of the coaches panel. While the upcoming fall season 24 will feature Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani, alongside fellow returning judges Niall Horan and John Legend, as well as newcomer Reba McEntire, the following season will seriously mix things up.
Come spring 2024, season 25 will bring even bigger changes, with Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay joining the lineup as the series’ first-ever coaching duo. They will join Legend and McEntire, along with returning season 23 fan-favorite coach Chance the Rapper.
Though The Voice has never had a two-headed coaching team, Dan + Shay are not strangers to the franchise, as they stepped in as Shelton’s battle advisors in season 20.
Before all that change, though, McEntire will slide into the spot vacated by Shelton for the upcoming fall season 24. Earlier this year, McEntire was asked if she thought she’d make a good replacement for Shelton, revealing that she was almost one of the original Voice judges. She told ET that she was offered a role on the show before it debuted in 2011, with producers pivoting to Shelton when Reba passed.
“I got [a look at] the Holland version of The Voice. They sent it to me and I said, ‘I can’t see me doing that,’” she said in February of her feelings after seeing the original version of the show that went on to spawn a global franchise. “Because, you know, I’m a gypsy at heart,” added McEntire, 68, of her desire not to be tied to one project for so long.
McEntire didn’t totally bail, though, acting as a mentor to Team Blake in 2011, returning in 2015 and then again this past season as a Mega Mentor.
Check out the Dan + Shay tease below.