In the latest episode of The Voice season 28, aired on October 1, 2025, the Blind Auditions reached a fever pitch as coaches Michael Bublé and Niall Horan traded playful jabs amid fierce competition. With Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg rounding out the panel, the tension was palpable from the start. Horan, returning for his second season after winning last year, seemed determined to defend his title, while Bublé, chasing a third straight victory, wasn't about to back down easily.
Indeed, the night kicked off with Horan pulling a clever block on Bublé during 19-year-old Sadie Dahl's stunning four-chair turn on Black Pumas' "Colors." Bublé, visibly frustrated, grumbled about the move but quickly pivoted, praising Snoop as the ideal mentor to steer Dahl away from Horan's team. However, she ultimately chose Snoop, leaving Horan to celebrate his strategic win. Not one to let it slide, Bublé later got a taste of his own medicine when Horan blocked him again, this time sparking a full-on coach showdown.
Moreover, things escalated hilariously when Bublé started boasting about his mentoring prowess. Horan, quick on his feet, enlisted a surprise "appearance" from former coach Blake Shelton via a pre-recorded message. Shelton's voice boomed in, shading Bublé's ego in true Shelton fashion, drawing laughs from the audience and even a mock-pained reaction from Bublé. This brotherly rivalry, rooted in their long friendship—Horan once called Bublé his "hero" after meeting him in 2012—adds a layer of entertainment to the high-stakes battles. By episode's end, teams were shaping up strong: Bublé snagged talents like a Ray LaMontagne cover artist after putting Horan in a mock "penalty box," while Horan taunted him about a potential three-peat.
Yet, as the auditions wrap and battles loom, one can't help but wonder if this dynamic will propel a breakout star or just fuel more coach drama.