Christina Aguilera Returns To The Voice, Cee Lo Green To Follow
Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green were cast on The Voice as judges alongside Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in early 2011, but after three seasons with the hit show, Aguilera and Green left to pursue other career opportunities. Aguilera launched her new album, Lotus, and Green was working on his upcoming album, Girl Power, as well as a show in Las Vegas. At that time, producers temporarily filled their empty spots with Usher and Shakira, but now they are back.
According to The Wrap, Aguilera has just inked a $12.5 million deal for season five and Green is in advanced negotiations; meaning his return is just about set in stone.
During her third season on the show, Aguilera earned around $17 million which made her one of the highest paid women in reality television (Mariah Carey was paid $18 million for her gig on American Idol and Britney Spears got $15 million for judging on The X-Factor). But don’t start thinking that she got a pay cut this time around. That is not the case. See, judges on The Voice are actually paid hourly so she has the potential to make much more than the guaranteed $12.5 million.
As often goes with shows like this, judges tables have a revolving door. The talent is always changing and just because a judge leaves doesn’t mean that they are gone for good. In fact, one insider told The Wrap that fans may be seeing season 3 judge Shakira on an upcoming season.
Blake Shelton and Adam Levine are also currently in negotiations for season five and expected to return.