Kelsea Ballerini does epic job filling in for Kelly Clarkson on 'The Voice'

"The Voice" coach Kelly Clarkson was out sick for Monday's Battle Rounds. Out of an abundance of caution, and abiding by the show's covid-19 protocols, she was temporarily replaced by Kelsea Ballerini. Ballerini was her team advisor in season 16 and a coach on the show's short-lived online companion series "The Comeback Stage."

Viewers thought Ballerini did an epic job filling in for Clarkson, but the other coaches weren't fans of the two stars conspiring against them when it came to making tough decisions. Ballerini called the sick coach at one point to help her decide which contestant to keep on Team Clarkson.

And while Balerini did a great job as a fill-in coach, she was also a pretty good thief. She managed to steal Avery Roberson right out from under rival coach Blake Shelton.

Video Transcript

KELLY CLARKSON (ON PHONE): If I could give you any advice, don't trust Blake.

KELSEA BALLERINI: OK.

KELLY CLARKSON (ON PHONE): Right there, I just laid it down.

KELSEA BALLERINI: OK, I'm going to embed it in my brain and take it to the seat.

- "The Voice" coach Kelly Clarkson was out sick for Monday's battle rounds. But fortunately, Kelsea Ballerini, who was her team advisor in season 16 and a coach on the short-lived online companion series "The Comeback Stage," was able to sit in and surprise the other coaches.

JOHN LEGEND: We're still trying to defeat you, Kelsea, as though you were Kelly Clarkson.

NICK JONAS: Just know that Blake's going to try to play mind games with you.

KELSEA BALLERINI: In all of the advice I've gotten from Kelly, the main one is keep the rivalry going.

BLAKE SHELTON: I was just about to say that I like this show better already.

- Viewers thought Kelsea did an epic job filling in for Kelly, but the other coaches weren't fans of the two stars conspiring against them when it came to making tough decisions.

KELSEA BALLERINI: Since I'm keeping the seat warm for Kelly, I'm going to call her.

NICK JONAS: I didn't know you could phone a friend.

BLAKE SHELTON: That's illegal.

JOHN LEGEND: Oh my gosh, this is unprecedented.

BLAKE SHELTON: You two have changed this show forever.

- And while Kelsea did a great job as a filling coach, she was also a pretty good thief as she managed to steal Avery Roberson right out from under Blake.

KELSEA BALLERINI: That was my first steal, and it felt good, because I'm over here texting with Kelly. And she's like, you have to get him for me. And I was like, I'll do my best. And I'm really excited, because you're so talented.