As The Voice Season 28 prepares to premiere on September 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, the hit singing competition is shaking things up with a bombshell new rule that has even the most dedicated fans buzzing with excitement and confusion. Dubbed the “Carson Callback,” this twist promises to rewrite the fate of artists who might otherwise slip through the cracks, giving host Carson Daly unprecedented power in the competition. Add to that a stellar coaching lineup—Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg—and quirky behind-the-scenes moments, like Horan’s playful revelations, and Season 28 is shaping up to be an unpredictable, emotional, and downright thrilling ride. Here’s everything you need to know about the surprises awaiting viewers in this game-changing season.
The anticipation for Season 28 has been building since NBC dropped a teaser trailer on September 3, 2025, hinting at a twist that caught everyone off guard. The “Carson Callback,” named after longtime host Carson Daly, is the show’s boldest rule change yet. For 27 seasons, Daly has been the charismatic glue holding The Voice together, guiding contestants with encouragement but never influencing the competition’s outcome. Now, for the first time, he’s stepping into the spotlight with the power to “call back” an eliminated artist, giving them a second chance to shine. “Sometimes I see great singers fall through the cracks, and I’ve never been able to do anything about it—until now,” Daly declared in the trailer, his eyes gleaming with excitement. While the exact mechanics remain under wraps, the rule is expected to allow Daly to resurrect a contestant who fails to secure a chair turn during the Blind Auditions or is cut in later rounds, potentially altering the trajectory of the entire season.
This twist has sparked a frenzy among fans, who are both thrilled and perplexed by its implications. Social media is ablaze with speculation, with one fan tweeting, “Carson Callback? This is gonna save some real talent, but how’s it gonna work? Mind blown!” Another wrote, “Hardcore Voice fan here, and I did NOT see this coming. Carson having this power is iconic!” The rule promises to add a layer of suspense, as artists who face rejection may no longer be doomed, and coaches may find their carefully curated teams disrupted by Daly’s wildcard choices. For a show that thrives on surprises—like the Coach Replay button introduced in Season 26 and the Super Save in Season 27—this new rule elevates the stakes, ensuring no one’s journey is over until Daly says so.
The coaching panel for Season 28 is a powerhouse, blending veteran talent with fresh energy. Reba McEntire, the Queen of Country, returns for her fourth season, riding high after her Season 25 win with Asher HaVon. Known for her warmth and strategic prowess, McEntire is pulling out all the stops, equipping the studio audience with paper fans featuring her face to sway contestants her way. “When I say she got fans, she got fans,” Snoop Dogg quipped in the trailer, half-impressed, half-amused by her bold tactic. Michael Bublé, fresh off back-to-back wins in Seasons 26 and 27, brings his smooth charisma and knack for spotting unique talent. His playful antics, like sporting socks with McEntire’s face, have already set a lighthearted tone. Niall Horan, who won Seasons 23 and 24 with Gina Miles and Huntley, returns with his infectious charm and Irish wit, while Snoop Dogg, the newest coach, adds a hip-hop flair and competitive edge, determined to claim his first Voice victory.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the coaches’ dynamic, which is equal parts competitive and camaraderie-filled. Horan, at 31, is the resident jokester, teasing McEntire about her astrological sign and playfully dodging Bublé’s “penalty box” prank, where a cardboard box was placed around his chair for “looking too good.” One contestant’s bold declaration—“I know where you have birthmarks!”—left Horan blushing and the audience roaring with laughter. These quirky moments, paired with Snoop’s rhyming pitches and McEntire’s fan-waving army, promise a season where the coaches’ personalities shine as brightly as the contestants’ talents.
The season’s format remains familiar but is punctuated by the Carson Callback’s potential to disrupt the usual flow. Kicking off with six episodes of Blind Auditions, contestants will perform for the coaches, who turn their iconic red chairs for those they want on their teams. The Carson Callback could come into play here, allowing Daly to revive an artist who doesn’t get a turn, or later in the Battles, Knockouts, Playoffs, or Live Shows. The Battles, featuring one steal and one save per coach, will see teammates compete head-to-head, with winners advancing and losers hoping for a steal or Daly’s intervention. The Knockouts, with one steal but no saves, will test artists’ ability to stand out, while the Playoffs narrow each team to two artists for the Live Semifinals (Top 8) and Finale (Top 5). With only one episode airing weekly until the Live Shows begin on May 12, 2026, the season’s pacing allows fans to savor each moment, though some have grumbled about the extended timeline compared to older seasons’ three-episode weeks.
The contestants, as always, are the heart of The Voice. Early teasers hint at a diverse lineup, from soulful crooners to country belters and pop prodigies. One standout moment from the trailer features a young singer whose emotional cover of a Morgan Wallen ballad leaves Daly visibly moved, hinting at a potential Callback candidate. Another clip shows a four-chair turn for a powerhouse vocalist, with Horan and Bublé engaging in a playful tug-of-war to win her over. The contestants’ stories—ranging from small-town dreamers to seasoned performers seeking a second chance—promise to tug at heartstrings, with the Carson Callback adding an extra layer of hope for those who face early elimination.
Fans are already taking to social media to share their excitement and theories. “The Carson Callback is gonna save someone who deserves it,” one fan posted. “I’m calling it now—Carson’s gonna bring back a country artist for Reba!” Others are less convinced, with one user writing, “Love Carson, but this feels like it could mess with the coaches’ strategies. Hope it’s fair!” The twist has sparked comparisons to Season 27’s Super Save, which allowed each coach to bring back one artist for the Live Shows, and Season 26’s Coach Replay button, which gave coaches a second chance during Blinds. Yet the Carson Callback stands out for giving the host, rather than the coaches, the power to reshape the competition, a move that has some fans hailing it as “genius” and others calling it “risky.”
Behind the scenes, the production team has leaned into the season’s fresh energy. The set, with its sleek red chairs and vibrant lighting, remains a visual hallmark, but new elements—like McEntire’s fan-waving audience and Bublé’s playful props—add a playful flair. Daly, who’s been with the show since its 2011 debut, has expressed gratitude for his expanded role, noting in a promotional clip, “I’ve watched so many incredible artists come through here. Being able to give one a second shot feels right.” The coaches, too, are embracing the twist, with Horan joking, “Carson’s gonna steal my thunder!” and Snoop adding, “Man, you gotta keep us on our toes, don’t you?”
The season’s surprises extend beyond the Carson Callback. Horan’s “quirky secrets” have become a talking point, with the trailer showing him Irish dancing on stage and sharing a humorous story about a childhood talent show gone wrong. “I tripped over a cord and took out the sound system,” he laughed, endearing himself to contestants and fans alike. McEntire’s strategic use of her fan army has sparked playful rivalries, with Snoop pretending to confiscate a fan and Bublé waving his Reba socks in retaliation. These lighthearted moments balance the high stakes of the competition, reminding viewers why The Voice remains a cultural juggernaut after 28 seasons.
As the premiere approaches, fans are gearing up for a season that promises to be both heartwarming and unpredictable. The Carson Callback, with its potential to save deserving artists, adds a layer of hope and drama, while the coaches’ chemistry ensures plenty of laughs and memorable moments. Whether it’s Horan’s quirky charm, McEntire’s country swagger, Bublé’s suave humor, or Snoop’s fresh perspective, Season 28 is poised to deliver the surprises that keep viewers coming back. Tune in on September 22 to see which artists rise, which fall, and how Carson Daly’s game-changing twist reshapes their dreams. This is The Voice like you’ve never seen it before—full of heart, hustle, and a whole lot of unexpected magic.
