Anxious Adam Levine Turned Down 30 Million The Voice Payday (Report)

THE VOICE -- "Live Semi Finals" Episode: 1218B -- Pictured: Adam Levine -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

Adam Levine had signed on to appear in two more cycles of The Voice, seasons 17 and 18, but had grown “increasingly anxious in recent weeks to move on,” says a new report from The Hollywood Reporter.

Sources reveal that Adam’s most recent per season salary for The Voice was more than $14 million. The entire deal would have netted close to another $30 million. Yet, a mere two weeks after NBC announced the entire panel would return in the fall, host Carson Daly announced on the Today show that Adam was leaving.

THR speculates that The Voice salary, which seems like an incredible payday, isn’t all that compared to other reality show payouts:

But because The Voice audition rounds entail long shoots and substantial edits, and the live shows stretch out over weeks, the payout doesn’t appear quite as efficient as some of the more recent reality talent deals. Stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Titan Games) or Alec Baldwin (Match Game) can make more than $1 million in a day, knocking out multiple episodes, for as much as $450,000 a pop.

Oh boo hoo. The coaches spend a few days in studio for each round. And the live shows stretch out over six weeks at most. It’s a great payday by any measure. Additionally, singing shows like The Voice provide golden promotion for an artist’s projects. I suspect that’s the major reason why artists sign on for a cycle or two and are usually carefully times to coincide with a tour or record release.

THR notes that other stars such as Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams signed on for a few The Voice seasons, and then moved on. Indeed, Christina Aguilera is back in the news talking about her own departure from The Voice. She told People magazine.   In the past, Christina dissed the entire premise of The Voice. These are much milder remarks. 

I originally took the seat on The Voice because it kept me in a little bit of a more grounded position for my children,” she says. “But after a certain amount of time, of course the artist in me was like, ‘I have to evolve!’ I was just very afraid of going out on tour and the instability I felt it would maybe impose on my children.”

The THR sources also insist the notion that NBC execs were really annoyed with Adam’s surly attitude at the upfronts were exaggerated, and that the parting was amicable.

But reports of the upfront performance angering his NBC bosses are said to be overblown. (It was hardly the only time in history, or even that week, that talent pouted their way through an appearance for advertisers.)

NBC is keen to keep a good relationship with Adam, reportedly. He’s the executive producer of the new competition reality show Songland, airing after America’s Got Talent on Tuesdays. The premiere neted a 1.2 rating in the 8-49 demo–a solid rating in this day and age. Reportedly, Adam will continue to promote the show for the network.

And anyway, The Voice ratings erosion is “undeniably steady” says the report.

Out of broadcast’s Top 20 for the first time since it premiered in 2011, The Voice’s marquee Monday telecast wrapped the 2018-19 season down 20 percent — ranking below Big Four reality shows America’s Got Talent, The Masked Singer, The Bachelor and even Survivor with a 2.1 rating in the key demo.

Even American Idol ratings outperformed The Voice in the last weeks of the season. So maybe it’s time for Adam to jump off a sinking ship and turn to more lucrative pursuits such as touring and recording…

Yet…this report still does not explain why Adam bailed at the last minute. He had months to decide whether to re-sign or not. Most reports say Adam had been unhappy for months. Yet, he still signed on. Maybe he felt the payday was too good to pass up, but then got cold feet as the Blind Audition tapings loomed. Still, this report sounds like the sources originated from Adam’s camp. People magazine posted a similar piece a few days ago. That’s why stars pay PR firms the big bucks.

Still, my money is on something or someone triggering Adam’s sudden decision to leave the show.

 

About mj santilli 34858 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!