The worst kept secret in Hollywood this past week is official. NBC has finally made an announcement on the future of The Voice, confirming that Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will be back and that we haven’t seen the last of Usher and Shakira.
Back on Monday, The Wrap reported that Aguilera had signed on for $12.5 million, while Green was still in talks. Then, Shakira herself confirmed that she is taking a season off to be with her newborn baby Milan.
In an announcement Friday night, Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment, made the news official. He also confirmed reports from later in the week that Shakira and Usher will be back for spring 2014. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will be able to do both the fall 2013 and spring 2014 seasons.
“We locked in a plan several months ago to have the outstanding Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green rejoin Blake and Adam for cycle 5, and we’re pleased to announce that the original four coaches are going to be back together in the fall,” Telegdy said in the announcement. “They’re the reason this show was launched so strong for the first three cycles and we owe them a debt of gratitude. And after careful consideration of everyone’s schedules for next spring, we are excited to be returning the current cycle of coaches — Shakira and Usher along with Blake and Adam — for cycle 6, which will premiere after the Winter Olympics.”
NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt added that the show has been such a success thanks to the relationship between the four coaches. “The show has taken off largely due to the rapport and commitment of these great coaches, in addition to the expert hosting of Carson Daly,” he said.
NBC already announced that The Voice will keep its Monday and Tuesday timeslots in the fall. The network will heavily promote the show during the Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics, which it is also using to launch the changes in late night, with Jimmy Fallon taking over the Tonight Show.
Shakira will split her time off between raising Milan and working on a new album, while Usher will be testing his acting skills with Hands of Stone. In that film, he will play boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
image: NBC