Riley Green Knew This Alabama Singer Belonged on His ‘The Voice’ Team
Riley Green didn’t have to compete with the other coaches to secure one country singer he particularly wanted on his team. During the Season 30 premiere of NBC’s The Voice, the country star turned his chair for Caroline Alexis, a 25-year-old Alabama native whose performance of a Rascal Flatts hit immediately caught his attention.
Alexis earned a place on Team Riley after Green became the only coach to turn around, giving the newly appointed coach a promising addition to his roster without a battle for her allegiance.
Riley Green Makes His Coaching Debut on ‘The Voice’
Season 30 of The Voice premiered on Monday, September 21, 2026, introducing Green as one of the show’s new coaches. He joined fellow newcomer Queen Latifah, alongside returning coaches and former champions Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine.
Green wasted little time building his team. During the premiere, he recruited several country performers, including Joe Henley and Dollywood singing sisters Ferryn and Brinkley Wright.
Another contestant who caught his attention was Alexis, who shares his home state of Alabama.
For her Blind Audition, Alexis chose “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts, the trio’s song that became a No. 1 country hit after its release in 2007.
Caroline Alexis Wins Riley Green Over With Rascal Flatts Cover
As Alexis performed, several coaches appeared close to pressing their buttons. Adam Levine seemed particularly tempted, but ultimately stopped short of turning his chair.
Green, however, decided to take a chance on the Alabama singer. He turned around after listening to her performance, while the other coaches remained facing the stage.
With Green the only coach to turn, Alexis automatically secured her place on Team Riley.
After she introduced herself, Kelly Clarkson explained why she had held back. Once Green turned his chair, Clarkson realised she would have little chance of persuading Alexis to choose another team.
When she learned that Alexis was also from Alabama, Clarkson joked, “I’m so glad I saved myself the embarrassment.”
Green was delighted to welcome a fellow Alabamian to his team. He also made no secret of how much he had enjoyed her audition.
“I love your tone, I love the song choice, I love the way you performed it,” he told her.
A Law School Graduate With a Different Career Plan
One detail about Alexis surprised the coaches: singing is not currently her full-time career pursuit.
The 25-year-old had recently graduated from law school and told the panel that she had been studying for the bar exam in her spare time.
Green seized the opportunity for a joke, drawing a playful comparison between her legal studies and his own downtime.
“We’re a lot alike, I go to the bar in my downtime too,” he quipped.
The exchange added a lighthearted moment to the audition and gave the coaches another glimpse of Alexis beyond her musical abilities.
Green Welcomes His New Team Member
To celebrate Alexis joining his team, Green presented her with a personalised pair of “Team Riley” Carhartt overalls.
“Well, Caroline, I’m super excited to have you on ‘The Voice’ and on my team,” he said.
Green later reflected on the audition in a behind-the-scenes interview, expressing relief that he had not needed to compete with the other coaches to recruit her.
“She’s somebody that needed to be on my team,” he declared.
For Green, the audition was a particularly satisfying moment in his first season as a coach. Alexis brought a familiar country sound to the competition with her Rascal Flatts cover, while her Alabama roots gave the pair an additional connection.
With her place on Team Riley secured, Alexis will continue her The Voice journey under the guidance of a coach who made it clear from the start that he wanted her in his corner.