The sound of cameras clicking and the low rumble of crew chatter filled the air as the red chairs—iconic symbols of The Voice—were wheeled into place. It was more than just another season; it was the return of favorites.

Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg—each with their own style, history, and fan base—met for the first time in the coach’s chairs for Season 28. Old bonds were renewed, fresh energy sparked, and everyone seemed to sense that this could be something special.

Michael Bublé wasted no time setting the tone. He dropped a playful surprise: socks covered in Reba McEntire’s face. When he pulled up his pant leg and revealed them, he grinned, “These are the finest socks ever… they’re smiling at me.”

It was a comedic flourish, a way of saying that this season, yes, there would be competition—but also levity and friendship. Then, shifting into a perfect Southern accent, he joked, “Hey Mike, I’m gonna beat you,” a nod to Reba’s beloved country roots.

Reba McEntire, for her part, seemed to relish her role not just as a coach but also as a kind of matriarch among her peers. She quipped, “I get to tell them what to do, like a big sister,” when asked about her seat in the red chair lineup.

Her presence carried warmth and a sense of experience; she’s back in the mix this season after stepping away last year, and the energy of being back was clearly invigorating for her.

Niall Horan looked like someone who genuinely couldn’t believe his luck. Sitting in his coach’s chair, he said, “I can’t believe I get to do this again.”

That mix of humility and excitement is part of what endears him to fans—he’s won in previous seasons, but for him, returning is still a thrill, a chance to mentor and be inspired in turn. It’s that balance between confidence and appreciation that sets the tone for what this season’s coaching panel might bring.

Snoop Dogg, with his laid‑back swagger, brought a different flavor. He scanned the set, soaking in the lights, audience noise, and the energy, then shared, “My ears are anxious to hear and feel what they have to bring.”

For him, the excitement seems tied less to competition against other coaches, and more to discovering the raw voices that will go before him, the artists who might surprise even the coaches themselves.

Camaraderie showed early. The clips from behind the scenes revealed hugs, laughter, mutual “How are you?” lines, and a sense that though these four are here to compete, they also enjoy this work together. It wasn’t awkward.

It wasn’t forced. It was easy rapport—something that only comes from people who respect each other’s craft and understand what this show represents: the hopes, the chances, and often the heartbreaks of singers trying to make it.

Behind the glam, there’s pressure. Bublé spoke in other interviews (from past seasons) about the intensity of those early moments—walking on set, cameras rolling, artists waiting, hoping, and watching.

He’s said that although he’s done this before, the first day always carries a surge of adrenaline. There’s no warm‑up. This is where expectations meet performance.

The audience visible in some of the behind‑the‑scenes clips added texture. There were cheers, camera flashes, lights, crew buzzing. Reba interacted with the audience in small ways—smiles, wave‑bys, greeting fans.

Bublé admired her among that energy, saying to her, “It’s so good to be back. I’m so happy to be here with you.” It reminded everyone that it’s not just about the stage—it’s about the community and the shared moment.

There are high expectations. All four coaches are returning favorites: Bublé had recent wins; Reba has deep roots and a devoted country fan base; Niall is beloved for his humility and good taste; Snoop brings soulful swagger and unexpected emotional depth.

Viewers expect entertaining banter, real mentoring, surprise turns, and standout auditions. Already, sneak peeks suggest there may be new twists or playful competition between them—like mock rivalries, teasing accents, or stylized promos.

Season 28 of The Voice will premiere on Monday, September 22, 2025, with back‑to‑back episodes. The Blind Auditions portion has already been filmed—or is underway—and NBC has used behind‑the‑scenes footage and promo videos to build excitement. Knowing the date and seeing the coaches reunited has fans making predictions, picking teams, debating which coach will win this season.

Already, one of the lighter moments of that first day—aside from the novelty of Reba‑socks—was the playful competitiveness. Bublé mimicking accents, ribbing, joking, but underneath it, you get that mutual respect.

Even as coaches compete to turn chairs, they’re part of the same show, the same mission: nurturing new talent, lifting voices, sharing stories. It’s clear that this season wants to draw out both artist and coach.

By the end of that first day, as lights dimmed and cameras paused, there was satisfaction. Not because anything had been won yet, but because the line‑up, the mood, the energy—it all added up.

It felt like a reset of everything fans love about The Voice—the joy, the vulnerability, the hope. For Bublé, Reba, Niall, and Snoop, the first day back was a reminder: this is why this show exists. To celebrate talent. To push people beyond comfort zones. To witness magic in unexpected places.