14 DAY TRIAL // Big changes are coming to NBC’s hit singing competition The Voice: Cee Lo Green stepped down as judge and mentor for good and has been replaced by Pharrell Williams, and Gwen Stefani is the most likely new addition to the lineup.
Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are the only two celebrity judges from the old lineup who will still be on board for the next season, The Wrap has learned. Christina Aguilera is expected to announce her exit very soon, as she will be taking the year off to spend time with her second child, which she’s now carrying.
According to insiders familiar with the situation, Shakira won’t be filling in for her as until now and, if you think about it, it makes sense because she has a new album out. This means she has to have time to promote it and maybe even go on tour.
Stefani is frontrunner to stand in for them, under a one-season deal, the report says. The decision is somewhat surprising because the No Doubt lead has just recently given birth herself, so many of her fans assumed she would be out of the spotlight for a while longer.
NBC is refusing to comment on ongoing negotiations but, if and when Gwen is confirmed as judge, expect more details to surface as well, including speculation on how much she’ll be paid for a single season.