More Than Music: Michael Bublé on The Voice, Empathy, and Year-Round Holiday Spirit

For decades, Michael Bublé has been synonymous with timeless crooning, effortless charm, and, undeniably, the warmth of the holiday season. Now, as a coach on The Voice, the global superstar is finding a new kind of fulfillment that goes far beyond the stage lights. In a recent exclusive, Bublé opened up about his approach to coaching, revealing that his philosophy is rooted not in cutthroat competition, but in deep emotional connection and the ever-present joy that defines his career—a joy that, for him, feels like Christmas morning all year long.

The Coach’s Golden Rule: Be Empathetic

Bublé, who initially admitted to turning down the coaching role over a dozen times because he felt he had “no place ever judging anyone,” quickly embraced the shift in perspective: “Thank God we’re not judges. We are coaches,” he stated. This mantra defines his winning strategy, which is centered on profound empathy.

Speaking about his role, Bublé shared that his number one rule for coaching is to “Be empathetic and warm,” and to “always realize that [the Artists are] a mirror image of you and where you’ve been and where you’ve come [from].” The commitment to this compassionate approach transforms the competition for him. When discussing the difficult task of sending contestants home, he found comfort in a bigger picture: “I was upset about it. Until I realized that their lives had changed. Until I realized that their careers had started.”

For Bublé, the true measure of success isn’t just winning the show—though he certainly aims for that—it’s providing a genuine partnership and a friend to lift up artists when they have doubts. This is the fulfillment that coaching brings, an opportunity to pay forward the career he loves. He sees his role as advocating for and helping guide these talented singers, taking their dreams “very seriously.”

A Timeless Connection to the Craft

Bublé’s bond with the performers is also deeply rooted in his life-long appreciation for music, particularly the jazz and American Songbook genres he has championed. He often tells his team that the greatness of a performance comes from the soul and the connection to the listener, not just vocal acrobatics. This approach allows him to look beyond just the voice and build a team of confident “singers, songwriters, and entertainers” who possess true artistry.

He famously connected instantly with one four-chair turn artist, even speaking Spanish to the contestant and joking that his Latin wife would leave him if the singer didn’t join his team. This personal touch and authenticity highlight that for Bublé, every interaction is a chance to form a real, human bond. He understands the vulnerability of being on that stage and views his role as holding their hand through the nerve-wracking process.

The Unstoppable Holiday Spirit

Known globally for his perennial Christmas albums, Bublé’s signature holiday spirit isn’t just reserved for the end of the year; it’s an energy he carries into the studio every day. While his Christmas music is an annual phenomenon, the joy and gratitude that underpin that music are his constant companions.

Bublé has openly discussed how a difficult period in his family life gave him a renewed sense of thankfulness, and he now approaches life with a new perspective: “It’s Christmas for me every day.”

He often tells his contestants that before the curtain rises, his ritual is to look up and say, “Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to share, to connect with all these beautiful souls.” This simple prayer reveals the genuine, heartfelt warmth that audiences see on screen and that his artists feel off-screen. It’s the joy and passion for connection—the same emotional current that makes his holiday music so enduring—that he now infuses into every moment on The Voice, making the coaching experience a deeply personal and fulfilling journey.