NBC is NOT messing around. Not only did they snap up American Idol season 3 alum Jennifer Hudson to coach The Voice season 13 next fall, but they’ve signed the original American Idol Kelly CLarkson to to on the panel alongside Adam Levine and Blake Shelton for next spring’s season 14.
Jennifer Hudson Joins Miley Cyrus on The Voice 13 Coaches Panel
Kelly Clarkson Already Preparing to be American Idol Judge
To be fair, Kelly has a history with the show. She was a mentor for Blake Shelton back in season 2. Her husband Brandon Blackstock also manages Blake. So I imagine there was a flurry of phone calls when news broke that ABC wanted the OG Idol winner for their reboot of American Idol set to premiere in 2018. Kelly served as guest judge during the final season of Idol during Top 12 week. From Variety:
The pop star and season-one “American Idol” champion will join longtime coaches Blake Shelton and Adam Levine for the NBC talent-competition series’ spring 2018 cycle. A fourth coach for the season has not yet been set. Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus are already confirmed to be joining regulars Levine and Shelton this fall for the show’s 13th season.
Clarkson had been in long-simmering talks about possibly joining “The Voice” for an upcoming season. She was approached by the show multiple times in the past and had expressed interest, but had been unable to work its production cycle into her schedule.
Remember, astronomical salaries for judges are mainly what ended the show’s run on FOX. As a result, we’re told ABC’s mindful of overspending.
TMZ is reporting that it came down to money. ABC wouldn’t meet Kelly’s asking price. The Voice immediately swooped in.
The timing is no coincidence — TMZ broke the story, ‘Idol’ producers wanted Clarkson to be a judge when the show returns on ABC in March 2018. Our sources say negotiations were underway, but the sides couldn’t agree on money.
We’re told Kelly’s ask was beyond the budget and when ‘Idol’ blinked, “The Voice” swooped in to land her for season 14 … which will be running at the same time Idol returns.
When Kelly was hired to mentor and judge on ABC’s Duets she mentioned that she prefered mentoring to “judging.” And hey…it’s business. If The Voice was offering her more money, who can blame her for making decisions in her own best interest.
I can’t lie though, I am disappointed she won’t be sitting on the American Idol panel next year. What’s next for The Voice? Grabbing a few X Factor alums to coach? Maybe someday TV will produce a contestant who becomes famous enough to sit on one of their “superstar celebrity” panels, and won’t need to poach off the other singing shows. YES THAT’S SARCASM. YES I’M BITTER.
Here’s the official press release from NBC:
Global superstar and three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson is set to join NBC’s “The Voice” for the show’s 14th season. She will be joined by fellow coaches Blake Shelton and Adam Levine on the network’s three-time Emmy Award-winning series.
A fourth coach will be named at a later date.
“I’m so excited to join ‘The Voice’ at NBC,” Clarkson said. “We’ve been going back and forth with them for years on joining their team and the timing hasn’t been right until now. Ever since NBC and I worked together on my Christmas special years ago we have established an amazing relationship and I have always loved coming on to either mentor, or perform on The Voice over the years. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up and coming artists that I may be able to help get that push and support they’ve been needing to break into this industry. Watch out Shelton… I’m comin’ to win!”
“Kelly has been a part of ‘The Voice’ family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment. “Every time Kelly Clarkson sings you are reminded what an incredible voice really is. We are looking forward to the sound of Kelly Clarkson on ‘The Voice.’”
On Wednesday multi-award winner Jennifer Hudson was named as a coach for the 13th season of “The Voice,” which will air in the fall. She will be joined by Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.
A longtime fan of “The Voice,” Clarkson, who crosses many musical genres, including rock, pop and country, served as an adviser to Blake Shelton’s artists during the show’s second season. Clarkson and Shelton would go on to collaborate on the single “There’s a New Kid in Town” on his “Cheers, It’s Christmas” album.
When Kelly was hired to mentor and judge on ABC’s Duets she mentioned that she prefered mentoring to “judging.” I can’t lie though, I am disappointed she won’t be sitting on the American Idol panel next year. What’s next for The Voice? Grabbing a few X Factor alums to coach? Maybe someday TV will produce a contestant who becomes famous enough to sit on one of their “superstar celebrity” panels, and won’t need to poach off the other singing shows. YES THAT’S SARCASM. YES I’M BITTER.
Clarkson is currently in the studio working on her highly anticipated new album, her first for Atlantic Records, which will be released later this year. The album will draw from the inspiration of soul and R&B as the foundation to her endearing lyrics and powerhouse vocals. Clarkson also recently released her first children’s picture book, “River Rose and the Magical Lullaby,” which debuted at #7 on The New York Times Bestsellers list for children’s picture books.
Blake Shelton made the announcement on Facebook Live
