Usher, Shakira to coach NBC’s ‘The Voice’

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On the heels of American Idol‘s new judge reveal, NBC’s The Voice has announced that it will be making some changes to its cast as well.

Popstars Usher and Shakira are set to join the cast of The Voice in the spring for its fourth season. They will be replacing regular coaches Cee Lo Green and Christian Aguilera.

“We are thrilled to welcome Usher and Shakira to The Voice,” Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a recent statement. “The addition of these popular iconic artists continues the tradition established by Christina, Cee Lo, Adam and Blake.”

Christina Aguilera will be taking the fourth season off to go on tour and promote her new album, scheduled for release in November. Cee Lo Green will be busy developing a scripted comedy series based on his life for NBC, among other projects.

Both Green and Aguilera have plans to return to the show in later seasons.

“Having award-winning artists as coaches means they need to be able to tour,” The Voice executive producer Mark Burnett said in the same statement. “Whether in the red chair or on tour, our coaches have their chairs for life.”

“It is important to for me to take season four off, allowing me to support my music that my fans have been waiting for,” Aguilera said in the statement. “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.”

Green agrees, thanking NBC for “supporting my decision to take this season four hiatus.”

“It says that I’m seen and respected as a complete artist and not just a cast member,” Green added.

For now, the third season of The Voice will feature the regular cast, including Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. The season started last week.

Days ago, American Idol, another popular singing competition show, overhauled its cast of judges. Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban will be joining long-time judge Randy Jackson. The season is scheduled to start by the end of this month.

Follow Ugonna on Twitter at @ugonnaokpalaoka.