Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton turned The Voice last season into more than a singing competition. After surviving the emotional challenges of splitting from their spouses at almost the same time (Gwen ended her marriage to Gavin Rossdale, while Blake split with Miranda Lambert), Stefani and Shelton soon became firm friends. And that provided the foundation for a romance that, to the delight of viewers, including flirty fun and PDA on The Voice .
Even when the news broke that Gwen would not return as a coach, Blake found a way to keep his girlfriend close by choosing her as a mentor this season. But the flirtation that Stefani and Shelton display on The Voice reportedly didn’t just result in heating up their hookup. It also brought more attention to Gwen and Blake as well as the chance to profit from their PDA parade. And all that caused Christina Aguilera to stage a bitter feud against Shelton and Stefani, according to a source cited by OK .
Producers allegedly tempted Gwen and Blake with a bonus in the form of cash if they would flaunt their romance for the cameras.
“Blake and Gwen are getting an interesting offer from the show’s execs,” revealed the source. “Producers want the two of them to give fans a full-on love-fest this season when she is a mentor on Team Blake, and they are going to throw in huge bonuses for exclusives, such as on-air duets, engagements, etc.”
The attention on Shelton and Stefani combined with the bonus has infuriated Christina. Aguilera is so annoyed with all the perks given to Gwen and Blake that she’s subjected those around her to tantrums, according to the source.
“[Christina is] throwing mini tantrums about it. [She] wants Gwen out of the picture.”
Aguilera also threw shade at Stefani directly, claiming that the singer lacks talent and is only on The Voice because of her romance with Shelton, claims the insider.
But has all that unpleasantness from Christina and hostile environment that she created because of her feud with Gwen and Blake backfired, causing Aguilera to be booted from the show along with Stefani when it comes to the producers’ plans for the next season?
A shakeup just got revealed for the singing competition, and neither Stefani nor Christina will be filling one of those big red chairs on the upcoming season of The Voice , reported the Chicago Tribune.
Instead, Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys will become coaches during Season 11 of The Voice . Both Pharrell Williams and Aguilera are out, leaving Miley and Alicia to compete with Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.
It’s true! I am going to be the newest judge on Season 11 of The Voice @NBCTheVoice #thevoice ???? pic.twitter.com/hP5AyHDtdh
— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) March 26, 2016
Although The Voice traditionally has provided viewers with variety in coaches, this is a particularly dramatic shakeup. Although Pharrell may return in the future, no such indications have been revealed for Christina.
The new coach lineup means that for the first time, two women will take on the role of coaches and challenge Shelton and Levine’s bromance. In addition, the move to put Miley in a chair means that she will become the youngest coach in the history of the show.
But fans of The Voice aren’t thrilled, according to the Wrap . In particular, social media lit up with attacks on Cyrus.
Some questioned the availability of other possibilities.
“Miley Cyrus will be a coach on The Voice because literally no one else was available,” snarked one person.
Another expressed disappointment and a plan to boycott The Voice .
“Mever thought the day would come when I decide not to watch a season of #TheVoice but Miley, @NBC??!! #beyond #disappointed.”
As for which coaches in addition to Blake Shelton and Adam Levine will return in the future, the Wrap notes that it is “likely” Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani will move back into their coach chairs during Season 12. That may appease some of those who are so angry about Cyrus.
“I’m all for #TheVoice finally having 2 female coaches on one season, but did one of them really have to be Miley Cyrus?” chimed in another Twitter protester. “Like serious WTF?”
[Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS]