Nick Lachey to host new singing competition series

Ex-98 Degrees lead singer Nick Lachey will be hosting "The Sing-Off," a new singing competition reality show for NBC.

According to an article on People.com, "The four-night NBC series premiering Dec. 14 features eight singing groups vying for an Epic Records/Sony Recording contract, and the only instruments allowed will be their own voices."

"There is nowhere to hide when you're doing an a cappella song," Lachey tells People. "There's no band behind you and dubbing. It's just you. It's just them naked on stage and what they have done to prepare is what will show through in that moment."

Lachey is no stranger to the small screen as he also starred with then wife, fellow pop singer Jessica Simpson, on the hit MTV reality series, "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica," which aired from 2003 to 2005 for four seasons.

Following the tremendous musical success of 98 Degrees, Lachey branched out on his own as a solo artist. His first solo album was released in 2003 and was entitled "SoulO." Despite being released during the success of "Newlyweds," it was a commercial failure. Lachey's second solo effort, entitiled "What's Left of Me," which was released in 2006, fared much better. Its title track reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay and became an instant hit. Plus, in the spring of 2006, the album was RIAA certified Gold.