Country music fans got a good laugh when Blake Shelton reacted to being replaced on a track he originally recorded with Thomas Rhett.
The song, titled “Old Trick,” was part of Rhett’s 2024 album About a Woman. But now, in a surprise 2025 update, the track features none other than Niall Horan— yes, The Voice rival who ended Shelton’s winning streak on the show.
Rhett revealed the new version will drop on Friday, October 17. To promote the track, the country star shared a playful dramatized text exchange between himself, Shelton and Horan.
In the texts, Rhett jokes with Shelton, explaining he found a “great replacement” since Shelton wasn’t available to film content for the updated version. Rhett quipped the replacement wasn’t picked through a “look-alike contest,” but emphasized the new singer was both talented and a good friend.
Rhett ended up bringing Horan into the chat. The former One Direction member jumped in, asking Shelton if he’d listened to the new version of the song.
“NIALL?!” Shelton responded. “Let me get this straight. First you steal my last chance at a win on The Voice and now you’re stealing my song? Unbelievable.”
Horan joined The Voice as a coach in Season 23 — Shelton’s final season on the show. Horan’s rookie coaching season ended with a win, preventing Shelton from winning a tenth time before his exit from the competition.
While they may have a playful rivalry on screen, behind the scenes, they’re the best of buds. “Me and the cowboy became good friends very quick,” Horan said on NBC. “We realized we’re very similar people. For the good and the bad. He’s so funny—from the minute we met him.”
Although Horan hasn’t shown any plans to dive into country music full-time, he’s embraced the genre in his own way. Recently, he shared a video on social media of himself playing “Old Trick” on guitar and singing the song from his living room. Who knows — he may be entering his very own cowboy era.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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