The Voice is preparing for one of the biggest format changes in its history. Instead of unknown singers auditioning for celebrity coaches, Season 31 will reportedly flip the concept and feature celebrities as the contestants. Taste of Country reports that the celebrity edition is expected to air in spring 2027, following the regular Season 30 cycle.
And for country fans, one name stands out immediately.
Riley Green is expected to return as a coach.
Riley Green Will Return After His First Season as a Coach
Green is already set to make his Voice coaching debut in Season 30, which premieres in fall 2026. NBC confirmed that the Season 30 coaching panel includes returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine, plus newcomers Riley Green and Queen Latifah.
That means the celebrity season will not be his first time in the red chair.
It will be his second.
According to Country Now, both Riley Green and Queen Latifah are expected to return for their second seasons as coaches when The Voice: Celebrity arrives in 2027.
That is a major sign of confidence from the show.
NBC is not just testing Riley for one season.
They are already positioning him as part of the next era.
Season 31 Will Change the Usual Formula
The normal Voice format is built around undiscovered or rising singers auditioning blind for famous coaches.
Season 31 is expected to change that.
Taste of Country reports that the new version will feature celebrities auditioning instead of amateur singers, making it one of the most dramatic format shifts the show has ever attempted.
That could completely change the energy of the series.
The contestants will already be recognizable.
The coaches will not only be judging raw talent.
They will be working with people who already have public images, fanbases and entertainment careers.
That makes strategy more complicated — and probably more entertaining.
Joe Jonas Is Also Expected to Join the Panel
The celebrity edition will also bring Joe Jonas into the coach lineup.
Country Now reports that Jonas will join the celebrity version alongside returning coaches Riley Green and Queen Latifah. Jonas has previous experience with the Voice franchise, including past mentor and advisor roles, and he previously served as a coach on The Voice Australia in 2018.
That gives the panel an interesting balance.
Riley Green brings traditional country credibility.
Queen Latifah brings hip-hop, acting, producing and multi-genre entertainment experience.
Joe Jonas brings pop, boy-band history, global touring experience and prior Voice coaching experience.
That mix could make the celebrity season feel very different from a standard season.
Why Riley Green Makes Sense for This Version
Riley Green might seem like a surprising choice for a celebrity-heavy version of The Voice, but he actually fits the format well.
He brings country music authenticity, a growing mainstream profile and a more grounded personality than many TV singing-show panels usually feature.
Green has also had a major year outside of traditional touring and radio.
He is making his Voice coaching debut in Season 30, recently stepped into acting with a role on Marshals, and continues to release music that keeps his fanbase engaged. Decider noted that Green’s move into The Voice comes after his acting appearance on Marshals and previous performances connected to the franchise.
In other words, Riley is not just a country singer anymore.
He is becoming a broader television personality.
Kelly Clarkson Welcomed Him Before Season 30
Green’s arrival on The Voice already came with a fun country-pop crossover moment.
Taste of Country reported that Kelly Clarkson sent him a personalized welcome gift before Season 30, while Green announced his coaching role by telling fans they could start calling him “coach.”
That small detail matters because Clarkson is one of the show’s most beloved coaches.
If Green can create strong chemistry with established names like Clarkson and Adam Levine in Season 30, that could help set up his return for the celebrity version in Season 31.
Fans are not only watching to see how he coaches.
They are watching to see how he fits on television.
The Celebrity Contestants Have Not Been Revealed Yet
One of the biggest unanswered questions is the celebrity lineup.
Country Now reports that the celebrity contestants will be revealed later, meaning fans still do not know who will be competing on The Voice: Celebrity.
That mystery is part of the hook.
Will they be actors?
Athletes?
Reality stars?
Comedians?
Musicians from other genres?
Former teen stars?
Influencers?
The success of the season may depend heavily on how surprising and competitive that cast turns out to be.
This Could Turn “The Voice” Into a Different Kind of Reality Show
A celebrity season changes the emotional stakes.
In a normal season, viewers root for unknown singers chasing their first big break.
In a celebrity season, the story becomes different.
Viewers may tune in to see whether famous people can actually sing live.
They may root for surprising underdogs.
They may watch for famous names stepping outside their comfort zone.
They may also tune in for the coaching dynamics, especially if the contestants already have strong personalities.
That means The Voice: Celebrity could sit somewhere between a singing competition, a celebrity variety show and a reinvention story.
Riley Green Gives the Show Country Credibility
Country music has always been an important lane for The Voice.
Blake Shelton helped define the show’s identity for years, and since his exit, fans have often watched to see which country figure might help fill that space.
Riley Green does not have Blake’s long TV history yet, but he brings something valuable: a current country audience and a traditional-leaning image.
He is not a polished pop crossover coach.
He feels like someone who could talk directly to artists about storytelling, authenticity and connecting with fans who care about real-life lyrics.
That could be especially useful if celebrity contestants try to step into country material.
Season 30 Will Be His First Real Test
Before the celebrity edition arrives, Green still has to prove himself in Season 30.
NBC has confirmed that Season 30 includes Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green and Queen Latifah. Levine and Clarkson are both veteran winners on the show, while Green and Latifah are new to the main coaching panel.
That lineup puts Green in a competitive position.
He will be sitting beside two of the most experienced coaches in Voice history and one of entertainment’s most respected multi-hyphenates.
If he can hold his own there, his Season 31 return will feel even more natural.
Fans May See a Different Side of Riley
Green’s music often presents him as grounded, Southern, traditional and emotionally direct.
Television may show fans another side.
On The Voice, coaches have to be funny, persuasive, competitive and emotionally connected to their teams. They have to fight for contestants, give advice, handle live pressure and create memorable moments that keep viewers engaged.
That could be a strong opportunity for Riley.
Fans already know he can sing.
Now they will see whether he can mentor, compete and carry a primetime TV personality role.
The Shakeup Could Help “The Voice” Feel Fresh Again
After 30 seasons, a show like The Voice needs new energy.
A celebrity edition is a risky move, but it is also understandable.
The basic format is familiar.
The red chairs are familiar.
The coaching banter is familiar.
Bringing in celebrities as contestants could give the show a new hook without abandoning the core idea of musical competition.
And by keeping returning coaches like Riley Green and Queen Latifah from Season 30, the show can build continuity while still changing the game.
Riley Green’s TV Era Is Getting Bigger
For Riley Green, the celebrity season is another sign that his career is expanding beyond the usual country-star path.
He is still releasing music.
He is still touring.
He is still building his country fanbase.
But now he is also stepping into acting, reality television and national broadcast visibility.
That matters because modern country stars are not just judged by radio hits anymore.
They build brands across platforms.
Riley Green’s Voice role may introduce him to viewers who do not follow country radio closely, while also giving his existing fans a new reason to watch.
The Big Question: Can the Celebrity Format Work?
The celebrity season could be a hit if the casting is strong.
It could also be polarizing if viewers feel it moves too far away from the show’s original mission of discovering unknown talent.
That is the biggest risk.
The Voice became famous by giving regular singers a chance to be heard before they were seen.
A celebrity version changes that emotional promise.
But if the show casts famous people with real vocal ability, unexpected stories and strong coach chemistry, it could become one of the most talked-about seasons in years.
Riley Green May Be the Country Anchor of the New Era
The biggest takeaway is simple: The Voice is changing, and Riley Green is part of the change.
Season 30 will introduce him as a coach beside Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Queen Latifah.
Then Season 31 is expected to bring him back for a celebrity edition that flips the usual format and puts famous contestants in the spotlight.
That is a fast rise in television terms.
A year ago, fans knew Riley Green mainly as a country singer with a traditional sound and a loyal base.
Now, he is becoming one of the faces of one of NBC’s biggest music franchises.
For country fans, that makes The Voice: Celebrity worth watching before the first chair even turns.
