The Voice's spinning chairs reportedly will once again be occupied by Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green this fall, in addition to mainstays Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
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Aguilera has inked a contract to return as a coach for the NBC reality singing competition's fifth season, while Green is close to finalizing a deal to also come back as a coach, TheWrap reported.
"We are not there yet, but working toward it," an NBC executive told TheWrap.
With Levine and Shelton reportedly returning for another season, that would mean current first-time coaches Usher and Shakira are out.
Aguilera will reportedly be taking a pay cut for The Voice's fifth season, as the executive told the website she'll be earning $12.5 million compared to the reported $17 million she made for Season 3. However, an insider said Aguilera could still potentially end up matching her third-season salary depending on how many The Voice appearances she makes, as coaches are paid hourly.
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Green would not be making a salary even close to Aguilera's, according to TheWrap.
Aguilera and Green's returns to the show aren't unexpected, as both had said they were anticipating coming back for a future season when they announced their departures before The Voice's fourth edition.
In September, NBC cited The Voice's new twice-a-year broadcast schedule as the reason why Aguilera and Green took the show's fourth edition off. Aguilera was getting ready to release a new album, "Lotus," in November and go on tour, while Green was in the middle of developing new music and a new NBC sitcom based on his life.
At the time, Aguilera and Green both pledged to return to The Voice following their hiatus.
"I am so proud of being part of the show from the beginning... As I have expressed since day one of the show, that I am a singer and performer first and I am so excited to get back to that love. Since this year NBC and The Voice have decided to tape back-to-back seasons, requiring a full-year commitment, it is important for me to take Season 4 off, allowing me to support my music that my fans have been waiting for," Aguilera said. "By pursuing my first passion of music during the break, I am also able to come back and offer even more to my team on The Voice in the future."
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"Thank you NBC for supporting my decision to take this Season 4 hiatus! It says that I'm seen and respected as a complete artist and not just a cast member. I'm highly enthusiastic about focusing my undivided attention on my additional endeavors and interests," Green said. "I will return for Season 5 and will be watching Season 4."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski