Is Reba McEntire LEAVING The Voice already? Country star addresses rumors she is ‘unhappy’ and planning her exit – despite having only been in the role for a few months

Reba McEntire is speaking out on speculation that she is ‘unhappy’ and leaving The Voice shortly after making her debut on the competition series as a coach in September.

McEntire has joined three other coaches on the hit show: John Legend, Gwen Stefani and also Niall Horan.

The Queen of Country, 68, addressed the circulating rumors while attending the star-studded Bring Change To Mind Gala earlier this week.

In regards to if she had any intention to exit the show following rumors, McEntire cryptically replied with, ‘Well, not right yet. We’re not through.’

However, the Fancy hitmaker appeared to shoot down rumors that she’s ‘unhappy.’

 ‘I’m just having a blast. The producers, everybody in the team, just love them all,’ she told Extra.

She then discussed the competition between herself and the other panelists, and stated, ‘It’s fun rivalry, but we have the best time on that show.’

‘And what blows me away is the amount of talent keeps coming on. We’re in season 24 and the talent is unbelievable. I hope everybody watches.’

When asked if there was anyone who she tends to go ‘head to head’ with on the show, Reba revealed that both she and Niall ‘are always kind of sparring.’

Aside from the ‘fun rivalry’ between the coaches, the country music singer opened up about the blossoming friendship with Stefani.

‘At first, she was so intimidating and I thought she was being mean to me, and then she said, “I just want you to like me,” and I said, “Well, that’s all you had to say.” And we’re best friends,’ she gushed.

McEntire has already been confirmed to return to coach season 25 which is slated to premiere next year in spring 2024. She will star alongside Legend, Chance the Rapper, as well as duo Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney).

Earlier this year, it was announced that the I’m A Survivor hitmaker would be taking the place of fellow country star, Blake Shelton, following his exit after a longtime run on the competition series.

During an interview with Newsweek in September, she explained, ‘It’s a lot of pressure, because nobody can replace Blake Shelton. He’s a huge personality and a wonderful person.’

However, the star added, ‘It’s a well-oiled machine, so getting in at this time is marvelous.’

‘Everybody knows the game plan, from the crew, the producers. Everybody on the show is so nice, so sweet, and have been so helpful. I’m loving it.’

McEntire had previously been offered a position as a judge on the hit show back when it was in its very beginning stages, but notably turned the offer down. ‘I can’t be a mean judge,’ she explained of her reasoning behind the decision.

‘I mean, when I turned it down 15 years ago, when they wanted me to do The Voice, I said, “I can’t tell anybody that they’re horrible.”‘

‘I can’t say to somebody, “Well is your mama gonna meet you at the bus station? Because you’re going home.” I can’t do that,’ the singer expressed. However, she admitted that she has learned a lot from the other coaches so far.

‘I’m learning more from them how to let ’em down easy if they don’t get picked up, coach ’em, and if you can give them any advice whatsoever.’

While appearing on Late Night With Seth Myers earlier this week, Reba also commented on her time on The Voice and also disclosed who her ‘toughest competition’ is.

‘John,’ she simply told Myers. ‘John’s got a great knack for picking great singers. And when we’re with our backs to the singers that come on to audition, I’m always kinda going…looking at John, seeing of John’s going to hit his button.’

She humorously added, ‘Well, John’s really sneaky. He won’t do anything,’ revealing that he will nonchalantly sit humming. ‘But it’s fun!’

Along with showcasing her coaching abilities, Reba has also celebrated another big milestone by publishing a book titled Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots – which dropped on October 10.

The premise, ‘takes you behind the scenes and shares the stories, recipes, and Oklahoma-style truths that guide’ through Reba’s life,’ per an official synopsis.

Along with listing tasty recipes, the songstress also opened up about her faith and connection to God in the book as well. She explained that one way to become close to God is to ‘sing a song.’

‘Music and faith were joined together early on,’ McEntire informed Today earlier this week, and sent gratitude to God for her relationship with Rex Linn – whom she began dating in 2020.

She also opened about the recipe portion of the book, and revealed that she would only pen the book if she was allowed to add pictures. ‘I have to have pictures if I’m going to cook anything, and they said okay.’

‘So we got to do pictures that some of the fans haven’t seen and stories that I haven’t told,’ Reba added.

The Reba actress – who recently commented on the romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – also opened up about the ’emotional’ journey she had taken when putting Not That Fancy together.

‘I get very sentimental, I get very choked up, emotional. Because I kind of bared my soul in this book and told some stories I haven’t told before.’

She also further reflected on her time on The Voice thus far when talking to Today, stating, ‘It was not fun at first for me because they had all been together before,’ referring to the coaches who have previously worked alongside each other.

‘It was already their club, and I was the new kid. And it was rough,’ she explained, but then added, ‘After a while they just embraced me and brought me in. I felt like family.’

‘I like the training, the coaching. I don’t like to tell people what they did wrong. I don’t like negativity, so I always try to find something positive to tell them.’

Reba dropped her latest album, also titled, Not That Fancy, on October 6 – which contains acoustic versions of her some of her biggest hits.