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Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire’s Sweet Friendship, Explained: Their Best Moments
Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire may have worked together onThe Voice but their bond goes beyond the show.
Watching Season 23 of The Voice and seeing Coach Kelly Clarkson working with vocalists alongside Mega Mentor Reba McEntire was a true highlight, as it's clear they both have a deep appreciation for music — and for each other. Clarkson and McEntire’s relationship reaches back far beyond The Voice. They’ve shared stages and performed numerous duets over the years, all the while deepening their close bond.
McEntire, who’ll be a Coach for Season 24 on the NBC reality contest, has called Clarkson her "buddy,” and the feeling is mutual. Let’s rewind to their best friendship moments.
Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire's Friendship, Explained
Fair-weather friends? Not McEntire and Clarkson. They’re true-blue, all-weather pals who are there for each other no matter what life throws at them. In a wonderful nod to McEntire and the bond they share, Clarkson said as much during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
“We’re both women of sound mind,” Clarkson explained. Levelheadedness comes in handy in friendships.
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Every friendship has a beginning. For McEntire and Clarkson, it started in 2002 following the debut of American Idol. Clarkson won and chose to perform a duet of “Does He Love You” with McEntire, her personal idol. The relationship rooted before a note was sing with a warm, tight hug and Clarkson’s delighted reaction.
Later, in 2018 at Kennedy Center Honors, where McEntire was among the recipients, Clarkson poured her heart into her rendition of “Fancy” to celebrate McEntire. From the stage she shared that “being friends with her” has been one of the highlights of her life.
And when McEntire arrived at The Voice to be a Mega Mentor for Season 23, Clarkson didn’t miss the opportunity to let the world know how she feels about the “Fancy” vocalist.
“This is the raddest Mega Mentor we’ve ever had,” she raved.
Meanwhile, McEntire reflected on knowing Kelly for over two decades.
“She's just matured into this wonderful woman that I am just so proud of and I love her with all my heart,” she declared. McEntire's reaction: “Aww.”
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Back in 2015, Clarkson shared another delightful moment about McEntire on WWHL for a segment called “That’s Unbe-Reba-ble.” Cohen asked Clarkson what the country music legend is like when she’s “tipsy.”
“Amazing,” said Clarkson without a second of hesitation. “She’s fun.”
During the same interview, Clarkson revealed that she also watches reruns of the sitcom Reba, which starred McEntire as a single mom making the most of her life.
That’s the thing about good friends, you never get tired of seeing them — even when you know what they’re going to say.
Tune in to Season 24 of The Voice on NBC to see more of Reba with fellow coaches Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan, and John Legend.
