The Voice is preparing for a major change in Season 31, with celebrities stepping into the competition as contestants for the first time. While viewers may expect familiar faces and entertaining performances, executive producer Audrey Morrissey says the stars are taking the challenge seriously.

In an exclusive interview with TV Insider, Morrissey revealed that the celebrity contestants brought more competitive energy than the production team initially expected. The upcoming season will feature people from different backgrounds who share one important quality: genuine singing talent.

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

She also pointed out that stepping onto the stage is a vulnerable experience, even for people who are already famous.

“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 said.

Rather than recruiting established professional singers, the show aims to find talented performers from outside the music industry. Morrissey said the contestants could include athletes, actors and reality TV personalities who have impressive voices of their own.

What surprised the production team most was just how determined the celebrities were to succeed.

“I don’t think any of us fully anticipated how competitive they would be,” Morrissey admitted. “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 also described filming the celebrity edition as “really invigorating” and said she expects viewers to find the new format “really fun.”

Season 31 will bring back Riley Green and Queen Latifah as coaches after their debuts in Season 30. Joe Jonas will join them as a new coach, while Keke Palmer is set to host the upcoming installment.

The celebrity season is scheduled to air in spring 2027, although an exact premiere date has not yet been announced.

For now, The Voice is continuing its 30th season with coaches Riley Green, Queen Latifah, Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine. The competition is currently moving through the Battle Rounds before Cut Week and six weeks of live shows, when viewers will ultimately vote to decide the winner.

With a new group of celebrity contestants, a different coaching lineup and a format that puts famous personalities’ singing abilities to the test, Season 31 could bring a fresh kind of competition to the long-running NBC series.