‘The Voice' coach Blake Shelton talks flirting with Rihanna, 'awkward' 2015 CMAs with Miranda Lambert

Musicians Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert arrive at the 48th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee November 5, 2014. Reuters/Eric Henderson

Blake Shelton recently shared what it was like working with Rihanna on “The Voice” during a guest appearance on Tuesday’s episode of “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” The 31-year old also talked about why the upcoming Country Music Awards (CMAs) would be awkward given his relationship status (or lack thereof) with ex-wife Miranda Lambert.

In the video below, the “My Eyes” singer was asked about the upcoming Country Music Awards and about the CMA jokes that are bound to be shared at the event. He opened up about why the upcoming awards would be different this time around given his divorce from Lambert.

“This year is ‘gonna be awkward at the CMAs,” he said.

“Speaking of jokes…. I don’t know…because we are, it’s such a family. Everybody there is friends, you know. There’s ‘gotta be one about me and Miranda,” Shelton told Meyers, and cited fellow country singer Brad Paisely, whom he said is likely going to make a joke about him and his ex-wife.

In the same interview, Shelton also talked about his experience working with Rihanna on “The Voice,” where US Weekly said the “FourFiveSeconds” singer was brought as a celebrity mentor. In the video below, the country singer is heard recalling his futile attempts to flirt with Rihanna.

“She’s such a smart-ass. I never could get the upper hand with her. I was trying to get her to be a bit flirty, I mean, why not? I’m a perfect match for Rihanna,” he said.

Shelton also joked about coming up with names for their supposed love team on “The Voice.” He told Meyers that he came up with two couple names including “Blihanna” and “Rake.”

This is not the first time Shelton had spoken about his affections to the “Diamonds” singer. The 31-year old had previously expressed his interest on Rihanna during an interview with Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez. Shelton had then called Rihanna “funny” and teased that she is crazy about him. When asked if they would do music together in the future, Shelton had joked of a different kind of collaboration where they would “end up hooking up at some point.”

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