As The Voice season 28 heats up, the playful rivalry between coaches Michael Bublé and Niall Horan has stolen the spotlight, turning blind auditions into a battleground of witty jabs and strategic blocks. Premiering on September 22, 2025, the season features the duo alongside Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg, all vying for that elusive third consecutive win—Bublé fresh off two victories, Horan hungry to match him.
Indeed, tensions boiled over in recent episodes. During the September 29 blind auditions, Horan wasted no time deploying his block against Bublé for 19-year-old sensation Sadie Dahl's four-chair turn on Black Pumas' "Colors." Bublé, visibly miffed, grumbled about the move but quickly pivoted, praising Snoop as the ideal mentor to sway her away from Horan's team. Dahl ultimately chose Snoop, leaving Horan with a hollow victory that felt more like a missed opportunity. However, Horan didn't back down; he fired back by invoking former coach Blake Shelton in a surprise audio clip to mock Bublé's bragging during the October 1 episode.
Moreover, Bublé got his revenge in a clever twist, putting Horan in a mock "penalty box" after a stunning Ray LaMontagne cover wowed the panel. The exchange highlighted their father-son dynamic—Horan once called Bublé his "hero" from a 2012 airport meetup—but now it's laced with competitive edge. Teams are filling fast: Bublé boasts strong country and jazz picks, while Horan's squad leans pop with rising stars like Kayleigh Clark, who also earned four turns. With battles rounds looming, the coaches' banter underscores the show's real draw: not just talent, but the human sparks flying off the chairs.
Yet, as auditions wrap and steals dwindle, one wonders if this friendly fire will forge better artists or just more headlines.