You won’t believe what’s *really* happening behind the scenes of The Voice finale—Are Kelly Clarkson’s performances fooling fans?

If you tuned in to The Voice finale expecting a night of pure, unfiltered live television magic, you might want to sit down for this one.

The glitz, the glamour, the “live” label splashed across the screen—turns out, not everything was as spontaneous as it seemed.

Let’s pull back the curtain and see what’s really going on behind the scenes of America’s favorite singing competition.



The “Live” Illusion: How TV Magic Works
For years, The Voice has built its reputation on the thrill of live performances, where anything can happen and every note counts.

The season 27 finale was no exception, heavily promoted as a “two-hour live event” packed with powerhouse vocals and surprise celebrity appearances.

But as it turns out, the magic of television editing played a bigger role than most fans realized.

According to insiders, several of the night’s most anticipated performances—including Kelly Clarkson’s dazzling rendition of Where Have You Been—were actually filmed days before the finale and cleverly edited to look like they were happening in real time.


Screenshot 2025-05-22 at 14.03.28.png
Several performances by A-list guests, including Kelly Clarkson, on The Voice finale were secretly pre-recorded, despite the show being promoted as a completely live event. Source: The Voice / Youtube.



Kelly, resplendent in a black sequin gown, wasn’t even present at the live taping. And she wasn’t alone: Blake Shelton, Chance the Rapper, and Joe Jonas also pre-recorded their numbers, which were then seamlessly woven into the live broadcast.

After each pre-taped performance, the show would cut back to host Carson Daly, who reacted live as if the performances had just happened.

The result? A slick, seamless viewing experience that left most of us none the wiser.

Why Do Shows Pre-Tape “Live” Performances?
You might be wondering: Why go through all this trouble? The answer is a mix of logistics, star schedules, and the desire for perfection.

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A-list artists like Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton juggle packed calendars, making it tough to guarantee their presence on a specific night.

Pre-taping allows them to deliver flawless performances without the pressure of live TV mishaps—no missed notes, wardrobe malfunctions, or technical glitches.

Plus, for producers, it’s a way to keep the show running smoothly and on time. With so many moving parts, live television can be unpredictable.

Pre-recorded segments offer a safety net, ensuring the finale hits all the right notes—literally and figuratively.


Screenshot 2025-05-22 at 14.06.01.png
Adam made history as the first instant-save contestant to win The Voice, with his coach Michael Bublé taking out his second consecutive win. Image source: The Voice / Youtube.



Fan Reactions: Outrage, Disappointment, and a Dash of Nostalgia
Not everyone was thrilled with the finale’s behind-the-scenes trickery. Social media lit up with fans expressing everything from mild disappointment to outright outrage—not just about the pre-taped performances, but also about the final results.

Many were rooting for Team John Legend’s Renzo, who ended up as the first runner-up, sparking a flurry of passionate posts:


Source: The Voice / Youtube.​


“RENZO GOT COMPLETELY ROBBED! RENZO SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WINNER OF NBC #THEVOICE. THIS IS TOTALLY BOGUS! PATHETIC,” one fan fumed.

“Well America failed again. Renzo was the best from the start and definitely didn’t deserve 3RD PLACE,” another lamented.

Also read: A big drop in viewership just hit a major show—was it a one-week fluke or a new trend?



Meanwhile, Adam’s historic win as the first instant-save contestant to take the crown was met with mixed reviews.

Some celebrated the underdog victory, while others questioned the show’s voting process and the judges’ decisions.

A Look Back: The Voice’s Legacy of Winners
Despite the controversy, The Voice has a storied history of launching new talent into the spotlight.

From Javier Colon in season 1 to Michael Huntley in season 24, the show has crowned a diverse array of champions.

This season, Adam’s win under Team Bublé marked a new milestone, proving that anything can happen—even if not everything is as “live” as it seems.


Source: The Voice / Youtube​


Is “Live” TV Ever Really Live?**
The Voice isn’t alone in its use of pre-taped segments. In fact, it’s become standard practice across the industry, from awards shows to late-night talk shows.

The goal is to deliver the best possible entertainment while minimizing the risk of on-air disasters. But as viewers become savvier, the line between live and pre-recorded is blurrier than ever.

For some, this revelation is a letdown—a reminder that even our favorite “live” moments are often carefully curated.

For others, it’s just part of the showbiz game. After all, the end result is still a night of unforgettable music and high-stakes drama.

Read next: Heartbreak in the Survivor community: Fan-favorite Jane Bright dies at 71

Key Takeaways
  • Several performances by A-list guests, including Kelly Clarkson, on The Voice finale were secretly pre-recorded, despite the show being promoted as a completely live event.
  • The production edited the episode to make all the performances appear live, with the host reacting to the pre-taped footage in real time.
  • Fans had a polarizing reaction to the finale’s outcome, with many voicing disappointment online that favorite contestant Renzo didn’t win and claiming he was “robbed.”
  • Adam made history as the first instant-save contestant to win The Voice, with his coach Michael Bublé taking out his second consecutive win.

Does knowing that some of The Voice’s biggest moments are pre-taped change how you feel about the show? Do you think it’s fair to promote a “live” finale when parts are actually recorded in advance? Share your thoughts, memories, and favorite Voice moments in the comments below!
 

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