What We Know About Ariana Grande's The Voice Debut

The addition of Ariana Grande to "The Voice" serves multiple purposes. Not only will she bring more viewers to the program due to her massive fanbase, but she'll also play a role in trying to prevent Blake Shelton from winning a ninth season of the NBC competition series, per Entertainment Weekly. In fact, fellow coach John Legend joked, "We hired Ariana Grande."

"Having Ariana join us this season is the freshest thing ever, so it's really fun, and she's been incredible," Audrey Morrissey, an executive producer, explained (via Entertainment Weekly). The pop star has also gotten advice from Shelton, per People. "I'm proud of you," he told Grande in a clip from Season 21. "When I'm not in the mix, I'm trying to help the kid out," her further said, then joking, "I'm excited about Ariana joining the show because it's somebody new for me to beat. I'm tired of beating John every season — and Nick," with the latter referring to Nick Jonas, who's coached on several seasons.

Grande has added her own shenanigans to the series' existing gags, too. In the same clip that Shelton praises Grande, she is seen fitting in naturally with the other judges' tomfoolery, hitting a "thank u, next" button — a button that plays a short clip of Grande singing the phrase from her titular track — to stop Legend in his tracks from recruiting a contestant. Grande seems to be having ample fun, and we can't wait to have it with her.

Season 21 of the hit series premieres on Monday, September 20, 2021, per People.