Tag Archives: The Voice

September 17, 2012 · 5:11 pm

American Idol line-up finalised

Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban will join the panel this year

Two new judges will join a revamped American Idol panel for the show’s new series, it has been announced.

Rapper Nicki Minaj and country music star – and husband to Nicole Kidman – Keith Urban will join long-time judge Randy Jackson and fellow new face Mariah Carey on the panel this year.

The pair have been favourites to replace departing judges Steve Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, for months, however the news was only confirmed by Fox on 16 September.

Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment at Fox, said in a statement:

“We’ve got global icon Mariah Carey and Idol’s heart and soul Randy Jackson, who will be joined by Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

“Nicki’s an unbelievably captivating international phenomenon who has made an indelible mark on rap and pop. And Keith is another great addition to Idol, he’s one of the biggest stars in country music and I know that our fans and contestants will fall in love with him.

“With an unparalleled star like Mariah, fan-favourite Randy, chart-toppers like Nicki and Keith and our incomparable host Ryan [Seacrest], we’ve put together one of the most exciting judging panels around.”

Urban was formerly a judge on the Australian version of The Voice, alongside Delta Goodrem, Joel Madden and Seal. He announced he would not be returning for the next season earlier this month.

Series 12 of American Idol is set to kick off at the beginning of 2013.

Related: Mariah joins American Idol

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , ,

July 24, 2012 · 10:14 am

Mariah joins American Idol

Mariah, with husband Nick Cannon, joins Idol panel

Superstar Mariah Carey has been confirmed as a judge on the upcoming new series of American Idol.

The Glitter star will join the all-star panel, following the departure of Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler and singer Jennifer Lopez, who left the reality programme to focus on her music career.

The new mum will reportedly be paid a huge $18million for a one-year stint on the show, with the option of renewing her contract next year.

Forty-two-year-old Carey will be joined by long-serving judge Randy Jackson, who is also her joint manager. There has been no official announcement regarding a third judge, however teen queen Miley Cyrus and former Idol contestant, Adam Lambert are said to be in the frame.

Despite their big name signing with Mariah, American Idol does face increasing pressure from shows like The Voice and X Factor USA.

Last season’s finale drew the least amount of viewers in its history and the show is seeing a decline in young adult viewing figures.

Fox entertainment chief, Kevin Rielly said:

“Not being the only game in town now, we need to keep things fresh.

“We have the biggest names in the business, like Mariah Carey, interested in doing this.

“So for the next couple of weeks it will be a matter of picking the right one, with the right chemistry, making the deal and finalising this.”

Carey has previously appeared on the seventh series of American Idol as a mentor and was also set to advise Simon Cowell on the X Factor USA, but had to cancel her appearance due to Hurricane Irene.

Her husband, Nick Cannon presents rival show, America’s Got Talent.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

May 16, 2012 · 11:45 am

Louis: I hate The Voice

Louis thinks The Voice is “dull and boring”

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has waded into the great talent show debate, declaring that he hates the BBC’s offering, The Voice, calling it “dull and boring”.

Speaking to Heat magazine, the music boss also revealed that he was glad Simon Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent had beaten the reality programme in the ratings:

“I hate The Voice. I think everyone thought The Voice UK would be like the US version, and it’s not.

“It’s dull and boring. I’m glad BGT is winning the ratings battle – it’s much better.”

When asked by the magazine whether he would ever have considered being a judge on The Voice, he replied:

“No way, it’s not great TV.  The best thing about it are the revolving chairs, and once you’ve seen that, the novelty wears off.”

He also had a pop at The Voice mentor and Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, saying:

“What’s that man’s real name anyway? It’s not will.i.am, is it?

“He thinks he’s got all the answers, but if he didn’t have Fergie in the band, where would he be? Fergie is the real star. I would love her on the X Factor, and to be a judge on the show.

“The X Factor is the biggest show on TV and the other shows are just copying us with their silly chairs.

“Simon Cowell is the king of TV and if he’s not involved then it’s not good.”

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , ,

April 2, 2012 · 12:11 pm

Jessie J ‘turns down X Factor’

Jessie refuses to work with 'gimmicks'

Singer Jessie J has reportedly turned down Simon Cowell’s offer of a judging spot on the next series of the X Factor.

Music mogul Cowell admitted last week that he wanted the Price Tag singer on the panel, following her success on rival reality show, The Voice.

However, Jessie has since told the Sunday Mirror that she wouldn’t work on a show that relies on “gimmicks”:

“It’s very nice of Simon to say nice things about me. But The Voice is the show I want to work on and I’m not going anywhere. It’s the show that represents everything I am about.

“I’ve always supported X Factor and BGT. I’ve been on both and performed. But I love being part of The Voice and I ­genuinely want these people to come out of this show at the end and know that they’re equipped to tackle the music industry.

“It’s bloody hard and we don’t want them to just have 12 months of a career. This is about getting them on the ladder for the long run. The Voice isn’t about gimmicks. X Factor rely on that and that’s their thing but it’s not our thing.”

Veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh let slip last week that he would be returning to the judging panel for the next season, telling the Mirror:

“I am so happy to have signed up for another year. It’s my ninth year, I’m the only person to be in it for nine years… I’m busy now from here until Christmas. I signed the deal yesterday – making it my ninth year on the show.”

Walsh also claimed that fellow judges Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow would be returning, but he wasn’t “sure if Kelly [Rowland] is back”.

Jessie is currently appearing as a coach on the The Voice, alongside Sir Tom Jones, The Script’s Danny O’Donogue and Black Eyed Peas star and producer, will.i.am.

1 Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 14, 2012 · 10:23 am

Five’s Sean rejected from The Voice

Image: myspace.com /seanconlonmusic

Former boyband member Sean Conlon has reportedly been rejected from The Voice, after auditioning for the new BBC One reality show.

Sean, who was part of 90s group Five, didn’t make it through to the next stage of the competition, after all four coaches chose not to turn their chairs around.

Mentor Jessie J revealed that she was shocked to see the 30-year-old singer, telling Bang Showbiz:

“I was so excited about Sean from Five auditioning but I couldn’t believe I didn’t turn around for him. He was the first concert I ever went to.

“The way I react when I realise it’s him will be the moment people realise I am still very much in a dream world and pinching myself that I’m here.”

Conlon apparently said he was “gutted” to have failed the audition, admitting that he was looking forward to closing “the door on Sean from Five”.

The Voice format encourages mentors to pick singers from their voice alone through ‘blind’ auditions, with each coach turning their chair around if they like what they hear.

The show will launch on BBC One on 24 March at 7pm, clashing with the first in a new series of Britain’s Got Talent on ITV1.

 

1 Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , ,

March 12, 2012 · 11:10 am

The Voice: Latest pictures released

Official promotional pictures of The Voice coaches and presenters have been released by the BBC, two weeks before the first show debuts on BBC One.

The set of images show the programme’s presenters, Holly Willoughby and Reggies Yates, and also feature individual shots of each mentor.

The Voice UK will see Jessie J, Sir Tom Jones, Danny O’Donoghue and will.i.am will battle it out this spring to find the next vocal superstar.

It was also revealed recently that the show will go head-to-head with Britain’s Got Talent in the Saturday night schedules.

The Voice launches on 24 March on BBC One.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , ,

March 7, 2012 · 9:08 am

The Voice launch trailer released

The first trailer for new BBC reality show, The Voice has debuted online ahead of its expected launch date of 24 March.

The advert features the tagline ‘Who’s got what it takes to make them turn?’, with the famous coaches hitting the buttons of the show’s soon to be iconic red swivel chairs.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, TV

Tagged as , , , , ,

February 23, 2012 · 10:15 am

The Voice: First look

The BBC has released a first look picture from forth-coming reality show, The Voice.

The image shows the four coaches, Sir Tom Jones, singer Jessie J, Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue at ‘blind auditions’.

All four will have their backs to the stage and will have to base their choices on vocal ability alone.

If a coach likes what they hear, they hit a button which turns their chair to face the artist who will then land a place on that coach’s team.

However, if more than one chair turns, the power changes and the auditionee gets to choose which mentor they think is right for them.

The show’s format also includes Battle Rounds, where contestants go head to head against their own team, and the Live Shows.

Each week, the artists that have made it through the previous rounds will perform in front of a live studio audience and face the public vote.

They will fight it out until only one artist is left to be crowned winner of The Voice UK.

The Voice will be presented by Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates and is set to air in Spring 2012.

The coaches at 'blind auditions'

Related: Final Voice line-up confirmed
Related: Willoughby, Yates to present The Voice

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, TV

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

December 8, 2011 · 2:41 pm

Final Voice line-up confirmed

Jones and O'Donoghue complete line-up

Music legend Sir Tom Jones and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue have been confirmed as coaches on new BBC reality show, The Voice.

The duo will join Jessie J and will.i.am to claim the last two remaining places and complete the line-up.

Sir Tom, who had his first hit in 1965 with It’s Not Unusual, said:

“I’m excited about The Voice, and thrilled to be participating as a Coach. This is a strong show; it’s all about talent – but it’s also exciting, competitive and compelling television.

“I’ve been blessed over the years to share the stage with some of the world’s finest artists, and I look forward to being part of the team that discovers a great, new, genuine talent.”

Lead singer of Irish band The Script, O’Donoghue also expressed his excitement, saying:

“I’m a massive fan of The Voice, so to be involved as a coach is amazing.

“This is a show unlike any other because it puts vocal ability first above all else. I look forward to putting my team together and battling it out with the other coaches to see who wins this unique, credible competition. I’m in it to win it!”

The Voice will be presented by Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates and is set to air in Spring 2012.

Related: Willoughby, Yates to present The Voice

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

November 23, 2011 · 5:19 pm

Willoughby, Yates to present The Voice

Holly and Reggie to front show

Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates have been confirmed as hosts for new BBC talent show, The Voice.

The programme, which is set to start in the Spring, uses blind auditions to judge acts on their vocals alone.

Willoughby is best-known for presenting ITV1′s This Morning, while Reggie currently hosts the chart show on Radio One.

Holly, who recently quit as host of Dancing on Ice, expressed her excitement at bagging the role, telling the BBC:

“When it launched in America I watched one of the shows and thought it was just a fantastic format.

“When I heard it was coming to the UK I thought to myself how incredible it would be to be a part of it.

“It’s going to be one roller coaster of a ride and I can’t wait to get started!”

The BBC has also signed up singer Jessie J as a mentor on the show.

The Voice originally began in the Netherlands as The Voice of Holland and features three key stages; blind auditions, battle rounds and live performances.

The show’s format proved popular and has since been sold to over 30 countries world-wide.

Related: Dancing on Ice: Holly out, Christine in
Related: Jessie J to coach on The Voice

Leave a Comment

Filed under Celebrity news, Entertainment, Music, TV

Tagged as , , ,