CeeLo Green Opens Up About His ‘Surreal’ Return to The Voice — and Reveals If He’d Come Back to Coach (Exclusive)

Green previously coached on season 1, 2, 3 and 5 of ‘The Voice’

CeeLo Green on The Voice.Credit : Trae Patton/NBC

NEED TO KNOW

CeeLo Green returned to The Voice as a mega mentor and judge for the new All-Star competition
He chose Girl Named Tom as the All-Star winner and praised the returning contestants for their talent and dedication
Green expressed interest in returning as a coach

CeeLo Green has returned to his old stomping grounds.

The singer-songwriter marked his return to The Voice as a season 29 mega mentor and as the official judge for the brand-new All-Star competition.

Speaking with PEOPLE after the episode was filmed, the 50-year-old “Crazy” singer reflected on his experience.

“It felt wonderfully surreal. It’s like groundhog day — like a day hadn’t gone by and time stood still here,” Green (born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway-Burton) says. “The people are just as genuine, just as devoted, just as committed to craft and to industry professionals. I want to be in that environment. That’s my village.”

John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and CeeLo Green on The Voice.Trae Patton/NBC

In the All-Star competition, which concluded on Monday, April 6, coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine brought back two artists of their choosing to compete on The Voice stage one more time.

The Maroon 5 frontman, 47, chose season 1 winner Javier Colon and season 9 winner Jordan Smith. Clarkson, 43, chose season 21 winners Girl Named Tom and season 17 winner Jake Hoot. Lastly, Legend, 47, chose season 16 winner Maelyn Jarmon and season 27 favorite RENZO.

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Green chose Girl Named Tom as his All-Star winner — and he stands by his decision.

“They all were pretty amazing and my hope is for all of them to be acknowledged by way of this platform so they can go on to support themselves and be stars in their own right and inspire the next generation to come after them,” he says of the returning contestants.

Green was a coach on The Voice during its debut season alongside Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Levine. Because has a history with Levine, Green agreed he may receive some shade because he chose Clarkson’s artist as the winner.

“I don’t care how coy Adam wants to play. He’s very serious about competition. It’s just who he is. That’s why I even gave that little disclaimer because he should be proud of that,” he says.

Girl Named Tom on The Voice.Julian Dakdouk/NBC

Green — who went on to coach on seasons 2, 3 and 5 — also revealed his favorite part of returning to the singing competition show stage.

“My favorite part about today is my favorite part about this show itself and the experience itself,” he said, adding that it was a “visceral” moment.

“It’s so necessary for me to be sparked and to be charged by other talented people. These people are my muse,” he says.

When asked if he would ever come back to coach, Green says he’s always left room in his schedule in case The Voice calls.

“If they would have me, I would definitely come back,” the “Forget You” singer says. “I would be walking away from a lot because I don’t consider touring and performing every day a real job. It’s a passion play.”

Outside of The Voice, Green recently reconnected with Danger Mouse for the Gnarls Barkley album Atlanta in March.

“I’ve been working. So in my downtime, I’ve just been as productive as one could possibly be. I’m working, working day and night,” he says.