The Voice is preparing to bring famous faces to its stage for a special celebrity edition in 2027. However, being well-known may not be enough to win over the coaches. According to executive producer Audrey Morrissey, the upcoming contestants are taking the competition more seriously than the production team expected.

In an interview with TV Insider published on October 23, Morrissey shared what producers looked for when choosing the celebrity contestants and explained how competitive the stars became during filming.

Although the cast has yet to be revealed, one thing is already clear: the celebrities must have real singing ability to take part in the competition.

What did The Voice executive reveal about the celebrity contestants?

Morrissey explained that the goal was not to cast famous people who needed help learning how to sing. Instead, producers searched for actors, athletes, reality TV personalities and other well-known figures who could genuinely impress the coaches with their voices.

“Unlike some other shows that involve celebrities, the idea of this show is not to teach people how to sing. They have to be able to legitimately sing and turn a [coach’s] chair,” Morrissey told TV Insider.

She also pointed out how vulnerable the experience could be for the stars, who would have to perform without knowing whether the coaches wanted them on their teams.

“It’s like, ‘Who’s going to put themselves out there as themselves singing to the backs of red chairs?’ It’s super vulnerable,” she added.

The celebrity contestants will take part in the familiar Blind Auditions, meaning their fame alone will not guarantee a coach’s approval.

The Voice celebrity contestants were more competitive than expected

While the identities of the contestants remain a secret, Morrissey said their determination to succeed surprised the production team.

“I don’t think any of us fully anticipated how competitive they would be,” she explained.

She went on to describe how the celebrities’ work ethic became clear during filming.

“And then you realize, ‘Oh, they didn’t get to where they are by accident. These people grind it out. They put in the work. They want to be the best they can be.’”

Morrissey described the experience of filming the new edition as refreshing. Viewers will get to see familiar personalities step outside their usual roles and compete in a different environment.

The season will also include behind-the-scenes footage that follows the contestants as they prepare for their performances, giving audiences a closer look at the work that goes into their appearances.

What is The Voice: Celebrity?

NBC announced in August that The Voice would introduce a celebrity edition in 2027. The new competition will bring together recognizable faces from different fields, including acting, music, sports, comedy, social media and reality television.

The basic format will remain familiar to longtime viewers. Contestants will perform during the Blind Auditions and try to earn a place on one of three coaches’ teams. By the end of the season, one participant will be crowned the first celebrity winner of The Voice.

Longtime host Carson Daly will also work as a producer on the new edition. He previously confirmed on Instagram that the competition would include several changes to the established format.

One new element will be a Voice Boot Camp segment, which will show how the celebrity contestants prepare before stepping onto the Blind Audition stage.

Despite the changes, producers have emphasized that singing ability remains the key requirement for the cast.

Who are the coaches for The Voice: Celebrity in 2027?

NBC has confirmed that Joe Jonas, Queen Latifah and Riley Green will serve as coaches for the celebrity edition, Variety reported in August.

Jonas will join the American singing competition’s coaching panel for the special season. Latifah and Green, meanwhile, will return after making their coaching debuts on Season 30.

Keke Palmer will host the celebrity competition, taking over from Daly in front of the cameras. Daly will remain involved behind the scenes as a producer.

The combination of a new host, a different group of contestants and the Voice Boot Camp segment will give the upcoming edition its own identity while keeping the Blind Auditions at the center of the competition.

When will The Voice: Celebrity premiere on NBC?

The celebrity edition is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027, although NBC has not announced an exact air date.

Filming took place in Los Angeles over the summer, but the network has continued to keep the contestants’ identities under wraps. The full lineup is expected to be revealed closer to the premiere.

In the meantime, The Voice Season 30 continues with Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah and Riley Green as coaches.

For the 2027 celebrity edition, the contestants’ names remain one of the biggest unanswered questions. With producers promising singers who are ready to compete seriously, viewers will have to wait to find out which familiar faces can impress the coaches and earn a turn from those famous red chairs.