Kelly Clarkson had performed Riley Green’s “Worst Way” before the country singer joined her as a coach on The Voice. Now that they are preparing to share the show’s Season 30 panel, her earlier cover has become a fresh point of connection between the two artists—but no duet has been announced.
Clarkson sang Green’s romantic country hit during a Kellyoke segment on her daytime talk show in February of the previous year. She gave the song her own phrasing and vocal treatment, rather than simply copying the original recording, while retaining its romantic feel. The studio audience responded enthusiastically.
Afterward, Clarkson praised Green and encouraged viewers to check out his music. She also noted that he had described “Worst Way” as a major moment at his live concerts, showing she was familiar with his work well before their coaching partnership.
A new partnership on The Voice
Green’s appointment as a coach for Season 30 brings him into a panel with Clarkson, Adam Levine and Queen Latifah. It will be his first season in the coaching chair. Clarkson, a former American Idol winner, is returning for her 11th stint on The Voice after coaching for 10 seasons and winning four times.
Levine is also returning after winning Season 29 with contestant Alexia Jayy. The lineup brings together coaches with different musical backgrounds, with Green adding his experience as a country artist.
When Green shared the news of his new role on Instagram, Clarkson welcomed him in a voicemail, telling him she was excited to coach alongside him. Her friendly greeting came with a playful warning that Team Kelly would be tough competition. She also sent him a customized Voice chair, giving him a chance to try out one of the show’s signature features.
A cover, but no confirmed duet
The shared coaching job gives Clarkson and Green a new professional connection, and her earlier performance of “Worst Way” makes a possible collaboration an easy subject of speculation. Her cover showed how she could reinterpret his music, while her welcome message made clear that she was already an admirer.
Still, the available details point to a coaching partnership, not a scheduled performance together. For now, the story linking them is Clarkson’s Kellyoke rendition and their upcoming work on The Voice; there is no confirmed plan for the pair to sing “Worst Way” as a duet.
