14 DAY TRIAL // It’s time to say goodbye to Sara Bareilles on NBC’s The Sing-Off. Entertainment Weekly has learned that the singer is leaving the show to pursue other projects, which means season 4 will most likely introduce a new judge.
“The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter wants to ‘focus on her music,’ says a source close to Bareilles. She replaced original Sing-Off judge Nicole Scherzinger for the show’s third season after Scherzinger departed to Fox’s X Factor,” EW reports.
NBC is yet to announce Sara’s departure officially but, as these things go, if EW is throwing its weight behind the story, it’s probably pretty accurate.
The same media outlet also notes that a change was overdue and will probably lead to a boost in ratings. Sara’s departure could not be an isolated case either but, for now, that much is pure speculation.
“The move creates at least one opening on the judges panel for the lively a cappella competition. The show is being overhauled for its upcoming fourth round by its new executive producer — The Voice and Survivor guru Mark Burnett,” EW says.