Niall Horan walked onto The Voice set this season with something to prove as reigning champ with singer Gina Miles. And with Reba McEntire pulling up a coach's chair, the competition is getting a shake up.
In the season 24 premiere, the judges and coaches began picking their teams during Blind Auditions. While the potential competitors get on stage and sing, the judges's backs are returned and they press a button if they want to claim the singer as their own. After their chair turns around and the talent is revealed, the judges have to pitch themselves to the prospective team member and from there, it's the competitor's choice.
In the early stages of the season, a little rivalry appears to be budding between the country star and former boy-bander. While Reba was pleading her case to competitor Jordan Rainer, Niall made a bold interruption.
Using a button on his chair, he played former coach Blake Shelton's voice delivering compliments like “Niall is a global superstar” and “Niall is an attractive guy” in an effort to win Jordan over. Reba was not having it and pulled out a sparkly scepter. After blocking Niall's view of Jordan, she declared: “I am the queen. You cannot speak."
Although Jordan did choose Reba, her ruling status didn't last long. Niall was determined to usurp her. He said: “Sadly, not even the king of ‘The Voice’ could help me with Jordan, and now I have to deal with the queen of country. I’m really up against it.”
Ellie Goulding responds to old rumour she cheated on Ed Sheeran with Niall HoranLuckily, Niall had another chance. Reba, obviously, was quick to flex her impressive career to young singer Sophia Hoffman while wearing a literal crown on her head and waving the scepter. However, as Reba said, Niall has an advantage with ladies due to his charming manner and pop star status.
He won Sophia's talent for his team and literally stole Reba's crown. He declared: “Queen Reba wore the crown and she wore it well, but also Prince Niall is here and he’s coming for all of you."
John Legend made a job at Niall's attitude, though. "Guy comes on the show one season," he said before Niall interrupted with "Wins it". John finished: "He develops a certain arrogance that's very unbecoming honestly."
The comments were light-hearted and all in good fun. Reba even confessed that she was woo-ed by Niall, too. She said: "If I had a daughter, I'd want her to marry him. Oh my gosh, I love him."