Rules You Didn't Know 'The Voice' Contestants Have to Follow (2024)

Since 2011, The Voice has remained a fan-favorite singing competition, known for the hilarious banter between all of the A-list singers who've sat in those famous spinning red chairs. The premise is simple: If an artist passes the blind audition, they choose their celebrity coach and move on to the competition part of the show. If contestants want to bring home the $100,000 prize and a record deal with Universal Music Group, though, they have to work hard — and follow a set of rules. From what goes on behind the scenes during the battle rounds to the contestants' intense wardrobe makeovers, read on to learn everything there is to know about appearing on The Voice.

The Voice allows young teens to compete alongside adults: Anyone 13 years or older can apply, and many kids have found success after appearing on the show. The youngest winner to date is Danielle Bradbury, who won season 4 at just 16 years old.

The very first step of the casting process occurs online, as everyone must register an artist account. It's through this account that they are able to provide personal information and confirm a date and time for the first audition.

Applicants don't just jump in front of the producers right away. First, they must record themselves singing and submit the clip for the casting team to review.

During the virtual casting call, singers have exactly one minute and 30 seconds to introduce themselves, explain the song they've chosen and belt out their chosen song's verse and chorus.

Producers also reach out to local musicians across the country and ask them to audition, according to season 1 contestant Vicci Martinez. "What I realized is they wanted to make it a show that had real artists, people who were serious about doing music and not just people who sing in the bathroom," Martinez told Cosmopolitan.

Duos and trios can register and compete, though this rule has caused some viewer backlash in the past. After folk trio A Girl Named Tom won season 21, fans debated whether groups have an unfair advantage against solo acts.

After passing the virtual casting call, it's not time to sing in front of the A-list gang just yet. The pool goes from thousands to hundreds during callbacks in Los Angeles. That's where producers listen to live performances and determine the TV-ready group of contestants they'd like to bring onto the show.

Some singers who don't make it to the blind auditions return for another chance in later seasons. Ddendyl Hoyt tried out for season 5 and didn't make the cut, but she came back and joined Shakira's team the following year.

Season 6's Kat Perkins revealed that the show provided her with training on every scenario imaginable, from getting sick onstage to handling social media attention. This seems to be something that the show has implemented over time, as season 1 contestants didn't recall receiving such training.

For several days leading up to the big moment, singers are allowed to practice with the live band and camera-block with producers on the audition stage.

It may seem like the coaches listen to hundreds of singers in a single day on TV, but it's actually not that many. Blind auditions tape "for five or six days with approximately 18 to 20 auditions per day," former executive producer Audrey Morrissey revealed to SheKnows.

Despite rehearsing, nothing can fully prepare someone to audition in front of the coaches — and the huge audience cheering behind them. The room can get really loud, so it's important to stay focused.

If a contestant is lucky enough to see two (or even all four!) coaches turn around, the decision that comes next is pretty difficult. Performers have to pick the coach they want to work with the most.

While it's not exactly a rule, it is pretty fun. The stars often have a few tricks up their sleeve from season to season. When fighting over the same singer, they'll often pull out all the stops to get someone to choose their team. From custom apparel to emotional serenades, they've tried everything.

"We shop for each artist to come up with great looks. Once we get to the live shows, looks are customized for each specific performance," Morrissey told SheKnows.

For the most part, coaches select the songs throughout the season — even if the contestants don't always agree. "It's always hysterical when the judges say, 'I don’t think that was a good song choice for you,' and I'm thinking, You picked that song," season 1's Frenchie Davis told Cosmopolitan.

The chairs aren't as loud as they appear to be on TV. That "whoosh" sound that happens when a coach hits their button and spins around? "It's [added] in postproduction! You almost don't notice it, especially when you're focusing and singing to the crowd that's in the studio," Perkins told Cosmopolitan.

Coaches have a one-time opportunity to use their "steal" button for a singer who loses during the battle round — giving the contestant a second chance in the competition.

After coaches choose the knockout round winner, they have an additional opportunity to steal a remaining artist. "The coaches love that because there was jeopardy. People didn't necessarily go back to the [team] they had been on," producer Morrissey told Variety.