Kelly Clarkson Celebrates First 'Voice' Win as 'Ultimate Revenge' on Blake Shelton

The pop star reflects on her early success on the show and her ongoing rivalry with the country music legend.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract composition of stark, angular black shapes against a bright red background, conveying a sense of competition and triumph.Kelly Clarkson's victories over Blake Shelton on 'The Voice' have become a source of pride and 'ultimate revenge' for the pop star.Los Angeles Today

Kelly Clarkson, a coach on the current 'Battle of Champions' season of 'The Voice', recently reflected on her first win on the show in Season 14 with artist Brynn Cartelli. Clarkson said that defeating Blake Shelton, who had dominated the country music genre on the show for years, was the 'ultimate revenge' against his dismissive attitude towards her experience. The pop star has continued to hold her 'Voice' victories over Shelton, even years after he left the show.

Why it matters

Clarkson's rivalry with Blake Shelton has been a longstanding storyline on 'The Voice', with the country star often downplaying Clarkson's country music credentials. Clarkson's wins, especially her first one, represent a triumph over Shelton's dismissiveness and cement her status as a formidable coach on the show.

The details

In Season 14, Clarkson won the show with her artist Brynn Cartelli, which she called her 'first chair turn' and described Cartelli as a 'little unicorn'. Clarkson said that Shelton had initially doubted her experience on the show, telling viewers on her first episode that she had 'absolutely no experience'. But Clarkson's victory that season was particularly sweet, as she got to prove Shelton wrong and rub her trophy in his face.

  • Clarkson won 'The Voice' with Brynn Cartelli in Season 14.
  • Clarkson won again in Season 17 with artist Jake Hoot.

The players

Kelly Clarkson

A pop star and coach on 'The Voice' who has won the show twice, including her first season as a coach in Season 14.

Blake Shelton

A country music superstar and longtime coach on 'The Voice' who has won the show 9 times over 23 seasons, often dominating the country music genre.

Brynn Cartelli

Clarkson's winning artist in Season 14 of 'The Voice', whom Clarkson described as a 'little unicorn'.

Jake Hoot

Clarkson's winning artist in Season 17 of 'The Voice'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is Kelly Clarkson. One of the greatest vocalists, greatest people that I have ever met, and Kelly has absolutely no experience on this show whatsoever.”

— Blake Shelton

“I love seeing Blake say that I have zero experience on the show, and then I totally won that season. There's nothing better. The ultimate revenge of someone just thinking you can't do something, and then you show them with your trophy.”

— Kelly Clarkson

“You want to know why this is the most exciting? He saw me when Blake was here. He saw me, and he picked me, and I love him. And then I took him to the Winner's Circle, whaaat? That's right, Shelton.”

— Kelly Clarkson

What’s next

The current 'Battle of Champions' season of 'The Voice' continues to air on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, with the winner set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Kelly Clarkson's victories on 'The Voice', especially her first win over Blake Shelton, have become a point of pride and a way for her to get 'ultimate revenge' on the country star's dismissive attitude towards her experience on the show. Her ongoing rivalry with Shelton has been a central storyline, demonstrating her status as a formidable coach.