Kelly Clarkson Physically Blocks Riley Green During A Heated The Voice Audition

Kelly Clarkson was so determined to win one The Voice contestant that she literally stepped out of her chair and tried to block Riley Green from making eye contact with her.

The hilarious moment unfolded during Season 30’s Blind Auditions, when 26-year-old Anna McElroy took the stage with Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes.” Clarkson and Queen Latifah turned early, but Green eventually joined the battle for the Alabama-born country singer.

With the traditional Block Button no longer part of the format, Clarkson came up with her own strategy: she stood directly in front of Green’s chair to keep him from getting Anna’s attention.

Kelly Clarkson Wasn’t Giving Riley Green An Easy Win

Clarkson already knew she faced an uphill battle.

Anna is from Mobile, Alabama, while Green is also an Alabama native. With country music at the center of Green’s career — and two other Alabama singers already on his team — Clarkson suspected Anna might naturally gravitate toward him.

“I already feel defeated,” Clarkson admitted at one point.

She also reminded Anna that she had been looking for a country artist to join her team. Queen Latifah made her own case, telling Anna that she was “definitely country” but could also move into other musical spaces.

Then it was Riley’s turn.

Green leaned into their shared Alabama roots and told Anna that if country music was truly where her heart belonged, she should choose him.

“I have to imagine that you’ve got a very country background,” Green said. “If that’s where you truly live, and where your heart lives, then I think you should live with me.”

Clarkson immediately looked as though she knew she was in trouble.

Adam Levine Joins The Battle — And Takes A Shot At Blake Shelton

Although Adam Levine did not turn his chair for Anna, he still found a way to get involved.

Levine pointed out that Anna had chosen a Maren Morris song, suggesting that she could move comfortably between country and other genres — much like Morris herself.

He jokingly warned Anna against simply choosing the country coach by default, telling her not to “go with Blake 2.0.”

Green quickly fired back that he had to be “at least Blake 4.0.”

Levine then piled on with a series of compliments, joking that Green was more handsome, talented and younger, and even looked better in a cowboy hat.

The exchange added another layer of comedy to an already competitive coaching battle.

Anna McElroy Makes The Surprise Choice

Despite Green’s strong pitch — and Clarkson apparently believing she had already lost — Anna still had the final say.

Clarkson made one last attempt to convince her, pointing to her experience as a coach and reminding Anna that she had already won The Voice.

“I have won this show. I am proven,” Clarkson told her. “But I think I can win with you!”

Then came the twist.

Anna chose Kelly Clarkson.

Green appeared genuinely surprised, while Clarkson immediately rushed toward the stage to celebrate with her new artist. Clarkson continued repeating that she believed they could win the show together.

Afterward, Clarkson explained why the victory meant so much to her.

“Anna is the country artist I’ve been waiting for,” she said, praising Anna’s voice, range and choice of song. She also admitted that beating Green for an Alabama country singer made the moment even sweeter.

Green, meanwhile, acknowledged that the result stung after he had expected their shared Alabama background to give him the advantage.

The outcome means Anna McElroy moves forward on Team Kelly, while Green loses out on another country singer he appeared confident he could land.

And after all that, Clarkson’s improvised attempt to physically block her rival may have been completely unnecessary — but it certainly made for one of the most entertaining coaching moments of the Blind Auditions.