The Blind Auditions for Season 28 of The Voice are wrapping up with a bang, and the real fireworks are coming from coaches Michael Bublé and Niall Horan. Premiering on September 22, the season features the returning duo alongside Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg, all vying for their shot at glory. Bublé, fresh off two consecutive wins, is gunning for a rare three-peat, but Horan isn't making it easy. Their playful rivalry, rooted in a long-standing friendship—remember that unearthed 2012 airport photo of a starry-eyed young Horan posing with his "hero" Bublé?—has turned the stage into a subtle battleground.
Indeed, tensions peaked during the latest episodes aired on September 29 and 30. Horan wasted no time using his block on Bublé during 19-year-old Sadie Dahl's stunning four-chair turn on Black Pumas' "Colors." The move left Bublé visibly gutted, muttering about his disappointment before cleverly pitching Snoop as the better mentor— a tactic that steered Dahl straight to Team Snoop. Not one to back down, Bublé retaliated by putting Horan in a mock "penalty box" after a Ray LaMontagne cover wowed the panel. These blocks, limited to one per coach, have added a layer of strategy that's keeping viewers glued.
Moreover, Horan pulled out all stops on October 1's recap, channeling former coach Blake Shelton's voice in a surprise audio clip to shade Bublé's bragging about his mentoring prowess. "Blake won't be happy," Horan quipped, referencing their shared history. It's all in good fun, yet it underscores the competitive edge sharpening the show. With 20-something artists now advancing to the Battle Rounds— including standouts like Kayleigh Clark, who also earned four turns— the teams are stacking up: Bublé boasts a mix of soulful crooners, while Horan's lineup leans pop-infused.
However, beneath the banter, moments of genuine emotion surfaced, like Bublé tearing up over a contestant's family story, only for Reba to playfully interrupt his pitch. As the season pushes forward, one can't help but wonder if this coach chemistry will forge a winner or just more memorable chaos.