As expected, Colombian singer Shakira is not returning to NBC’s The Voice. Both Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera are expected to be coming back for season five, which means that Usher could be out the door as well.
As we previously reported, The Wrap had confirmed that Aguilera already signed a $12.5 million guaranteed contract, with the possibility that she could make more depending on the hours she puts in. The site also suggested that NBC is in talks with Green to bring him back as coach, as well.
After the report, Shakira spoke with E! News to confirm that she won’t be back. She’s hoping to spend more time with her newborn baby, Milan, who was born in January.
"It was a hard decision for me to make, because I'm really fond of the coaches, the people in production and everybody around me” the singer explained. “And I really enjoyed The Voice, but I also have a musical career and I'm also a mother now and my poor baby's so tired flying such long distances. He already has more miles than any pilot. So I think I have to give him a little break, and we'll see what happens in the future.”
Host Carson Daly also told E! that Augilera is coming back.
Since Green is close to coming back, Usher is expected to be leaving as well, although nothing has been confirmed. The Hollywood Reporter’s sources say that he has committed to star in Hands of Stone, which makes a return to The Voice unlikely.
The Voice’s ratings this season have proven that the show’s concept is bigger than the celebrities who sign on to be coaches. Even without Green and Aguilera, the show is still drawing the best rating in the key 18-49 demographic each night it airs. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton did return for this spring.
image: NBC