‘The Voice’: Gwen Stefani Returns To Replace Christina Aguilera
Gwen Stefani is returning to Season 9 of The Voice, replacing Christina Aguilera, who is taking a break from her red chair.
Stefani will join returning Voice judges, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and reigning champ Pharrell Williams. Host Carson Daly is also returning for the Fall season. There has been some speculation that Christina is leaving because her fellow judges and Voice staff wanted her gone, as the Inquisitr reports. However, Daly assures there is no drama behind the scenes. He told US Weekly the big red chairs are revolving both literally and figuratively, due to the nature of the judges’ careers.
BREAKING NEWS: Say ? to your Season 9 coaches @adamlevine @blakeshelton @Pharrell & ? @gwenstefani! #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/xNgiyvErME
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) June 10, 2015
“These guys tour. They’re not TV people — they’re musicians first. We knew that they have to tour around the world and so, unlike other shows, we’ve always known that we’re going to have the revolving chairs. When we can get Usher and Gwen in the mix with these guys, it’s been great.”
Despite rumors of Christina Aguilera’s diva behavior, The Voice host says fans have actually come to expect and enjoy new faces, especially since it airs twice a year.
“I think we were scared by it at first because, you know, whenever there was a panel change at [American] Idol or another show I think the public thought that meant there was trouble in paradise. We always felt like we had A-list artists who need to tour. We actually liked fresh blood; we thought it changed up each season. We’re on twice a year too, so it just changes things up a little bit, and look at what we’ve gotten! CeeLo [Green] is awesome, then we got Usher, now Pharrell.”
Gwen Stefani is a familiar face on The Voice, coming back for her second time as judge, after making her debut in Season 7. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton have been with the show since it began in 2011. Pharrell Williams is returning for his third season. Stefani shared her excitement in a statement on Wednesday.
“I’m coming back and am so excited! I can’t believe I get to return to The Voice. It’s so inspiring to be around such incredible talent and music. I’m looking forward to working again with Adam, Blake and Pharrell. I love those guys.”
The Voice will return to NBC for its ninth season in September.
Do you look forward to seeing Gwen Stefani back as a judge?
[Image via The Voice / Facebook]
