In a candid revelation on the Las Culturistas podcast last week, pop sensation and Wicked star Ariana Grande opened up about her one-season experience as a coach on The Voice.
The Grammy-winning artist admitted that the emotional toll of connecting deeply with contestants might be why she may not return to the hit show. Grande joined The Voice for its 21st season in 2021, working alongside veteran coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton.
Reflecting on her time on the show, Grande, now 31, shared that her attachment to the contestants was challenging to manage. “I got so emotionally attached to everyone. That’s my problem,” she confessed, explaining that her role as a coach became intensely personal. “I really get in there with everyone. I love everyone so much. I love meeting people, and I’ve felt so invested.”
Grande’s coaching style was marked by her enthusiasm and dedication to her team, and she quickly became a fan favorite. Though her contestants didn’t ultimately win the season — Kelly Clarkson’s team took the victory with the sibling trio Girl Named Tom — Grande expressed admiration for her fellow coach. Praising Clarkson, she called her “the best in the world” and described her as “f***ing incredible.”
This season, the coaching panel on The Voice features a fresh lineup with Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg. Each coach is currently guiding their team through the rigorous selection process as they prepare for the show’s Knockout rounds.
As for Grande, she is now channeling her energy into her next major project: the highly anticipated film adaptation of the musical Wicked, where she will portray Glinda the Good Witch. Starring alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Grande’s new role marks a pivotal moment in her career. The movie, set to hit theaters on November 22, has kept the artist busy with both filming and promotion, further reducing the likelihood of her return to The Voice.
For Grande, her brief but memorable time on The Voice may have been both a rewarding and overwhelming chapter, one that she looks back on with warmth but may leave behind in pursuit of new opportunities.
