Blake Sheltonis a changed man.
During Monday’sepisode ofThe Voice, the 45-year-old country singer offered a box of tissues to new coachAriana Grandeas they began battles, making tough decisions with the contestants' futures on the competition series. The thoughtful display came as a surprise toKelly ClarksonandJohn Legend, who mostly know Shelton to be solely focused on his own success on the series.
“I’ve been thinkin' about you,” Shelton said as he handed Grande, 28, the tissues, preparing her for the emotional day. “After this season you won’t ever need these again. You’ll get over it. You’ll become callous like us three.”
“This is so sweet,” said Grande, as Clarkson, 39, chimed in with shock, “That’s a nice gesture,” and Legend, 42, added, “Look at this guy. There is a heart in there.”
Shelton joked that he has becomemore tender since tying the knotwithGwen Stefaniback in July: “Look, I’m married now. I’m soft. I’m getting softer.”
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.Kevin Mazur/Getty
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Grande replacedNick JonasandjoinedThe Voiceas a coach for season 21. When Grande was announced as the newest coach on the singing competition series, Sheltonjokedhe was excited “because it’s somebody new for me to beat.”
“I’m tired of beating John every season — and Nick,” he said, “[who] is the easiest coach I have ever beat in 20 seasons of doing this show.”
Shelton, who has won the show seven times, continued, “The easiest defeat of my career wasNick Jonas. So I’m looking for a challenge. I think Ariana could be a challenge. I’m looking forward to beating her though.”
But when his record label called, they told him it was “looking good” that he could lock in the No. 1 country album, before admitting he had no chance at topping the overall chart because “Ariana Grandehas got her album,” Shelton explained.
“Literally, I may as well have released a coaster of a CD,” he said. “You trashed my album!”
The Voiceairs Mondays and Tuesdays (8 p.m. ET) on NBC.
source: people.com
