The competition is already on for season 17 of The Voice, but Kelly Clarkson joked that Gwen Stefani being brought on again as a judge may have softened Blake Shelton‘s edge. The premiere of the NBC show is on September 23 and its anyone’s game at this point. It’s the first time in the show’s history that Adam Levine won’t be featured in one of the revolving chairs but the other three singers and John Legend have fans so stoked. As for Gwen and Blake, it looks like their romance will definitely have an impact on the competition.

“I still don’t have any respect for her as a coach. As a human being, I love her, as a coach, I don’t care,” Blake, 43, cheekily said about Kelly during an interview with E! News on September 23. Although the “God’s Country” singer kept his signature sass while talking about his fellow judge, Kelly, 37, jumped in and added that fans may see a different side of the country crooner.

“I will say … Gwen lightens him a bit!” she divulged, which Blake simply responded, “I don’t want her to see the dark side.” Jokes aside, it sounds like viewers are in for an amazing season. “It’s fun, the four of us, I’ve never worked with Gwen,” Kelly gushed about her new musical pal. “This is the first time all four [of us] have done it.”

Blake is one of the show’s mainstays and has been on the series all 17 seasons while the “Broken & Beautiful” songstress has been a judge since season 14 — and previously appeared as an advisor during seasons 2 and 13. As for Gwen, she was a full-time judge during seasons 7, 9 and 12 and popped up as an advisor during seasons 8 and 11. This is John’s second season as a judge, besides a stint as an advisor during season 12.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Red Carpet PDA Before Season 17 of The Voice Premiere
Rob Latour/Shutterstock

It will be interesting to see the chemistry between Gwen and Blake as they sit in the judges seats. Former Voice contestant Cassadee Pope exclusively dished to Life & Style that the pair definitely have a heat between them. “I can see the attraction because she’s Gwen Stefani, and Blake is Blake … They’re both great people,” the 29-year-old confessed during the Tortuga Music Festival that featured the unveiling of the brand new Nissan Versa 2020. “I got to see her backstage at his Bridgestone show [in Nashville] like two or three years ago and she was just so lovely … She was just really sweet to take time to sit and talk with me for a while.”

Good luck to all the judges this season!