UPDATE: The Voice season 22 coaches have been revealed!
Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani Join The Voice 22, No Kelly Clarkson
No splashy announcement yet. But Blake Shelton and John Legend have announced their return to The Voice for season 22 this fall, while Gwen Stefani confirms she will sit on the panel alongside her husband Blake.
Conspicuously missing from the announcement? Kelly Clarkson. And it’s looking like she might NOT be taking part in the Fall cycle! In an interview with Elvis Duran on Thursday (May 11) she is planning on NOT working at all this summer. “I turned 40 and…you know what I’m giving myself for 40?” she told Elvis, “I literally said NO to everything this summer. I will not do anything this summer…I am taking time.” The Voice fall cycle films the Blind Auditions in June and entails a couple of weeks of film shoots. Additionally, the cast spends time in August shooting promos and sitting for interviews ahead of the September premiere.
As far as The Kelly Clarkson Show is concerned, the afternoon talker will go on hiatus for the summer at the end of May.
Blake Shelton, John Legend, Gwen Stefani use popular “Grace Kelly” meme to announce The Voice return
Meanwhile, Blake, John and Gwen made the announcement via the popular music meme, which is a snip of “Grace Kelly” by Mika (ALSO A THE VOICE COACH IN FRANCE!). “#duet with his if you’re going to be a coach on #TheVoice this fall. All three coaches sing the song.
@gwenstefani #duet with @johnlegendofficial #duet this if you’re going to be a Coach on #TheVoice ? original sound – Blake Shelton
Blake has been a The Voice coach on every season since it’s premiere in 2011. Gwen has coached seasons 7, 9, 12, 17 and 19. John has sat on the panel for seasons 16-21. Kelly coached the Voice for seasons 14-21.
Ariana Grande, who coached for the first time last fall, won’t be returning to The Voice, however. Production on the film adaption of the Broadway musical Wicked begins this summer. Ariana is cast as Glinda the Good Witch in a two-film series. She’s so busy, the singer put her upcoming album on hold.
Kelly has been hinting around about a schedule change
Earlier this year, Kelly hinted around that her “schedule would change.” Before she signed on to co-host American Song Contest, the singer said backstage at her afternoon talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show, “I’ve decided this year there’s just gonna be a couple changes for me but I can’t say here.” She added, “There’s a couple of things happening. I’ve been able to make more time just for me and my kiddos and still be able to work, just where we can get away on weekends and like really do some fun stuff with my kids.”
“They only want to hang out with you for so long. And that’s now so I got to take advantage of that. So I’m really excited to have more time with them. I mean, I have a ton of time in the morning, but I’m selfish. I love them they’re fun.”
For now, The Voice is only airing in the fall. NBC cancelled the spring cycle to make way for American Song Contest, which Kelly co-hosted with Snoop Dogg. Unfortunately, the ratings were soft and its return next year is undetermined.
What do you think? Will Kelly return to The Voice? Are you happy Gwen is returning? Who would YOU like to see join the panel?
Additional reporting by Blake Busch
