‘The Voice’ No Longer Has Goal of Finding ‘Future Pop Stars,’ Insider Reveals
NBC’s The Voice Season 26 is in full swing, and fans adore watching the new set of coaches help the eager singers perform at their best. Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé are coaching this season. Stefani and McEntire are the two returnees. Unfortunately, a source said that the show creators don’t care as much about the talent as they once did. Here’s why.
‘The Voice’ Season 26 doesn’t focus on the ‘future pop stars’ to retain viewers, a source says
The Voice Season 26 maintains the same format that the show has always had. Hopeful singers perform during the blind audition stage first. The four coaches keep their backs on the singers during the auditions. If the coaches like what they hear, they hit their buzzers to turn their chairs. The turned coaches try to persuade the singer to join their team. Once the teams are established, the coaches compete with each other to see whose singers can go the furthest in the competition. Only one singer wins the grand prize.
Fans like to watch the talented individuals who join The Voice cast. However, they also tune in to watch the banter from the well-known coaches. An insider told The U.S. Sun that the show is now more about “seeing famous personalities” than discovering new talent.
“The Voice has more in common with pro wrestling than a legitimate talent competition at this point,” the insider said. “It’s about seeing famous personalities from back in the day mix it up and show unexpected sides of themselves. It’s a little sad that it’s not a place to see future pop stars anymore.”
The source added that the show “can still make money and still get people talking,” without as much focus on the newbies. “There’s a reason it’s lasted this long, and it’s the vibrant mix of hosts, not the contestants,” they said.
The insider also noted that the viewer’s wants have changed. “Nobody’s turning on the show to discover a future pop star anymore,” they claimed. “The format has evolved past that, and that’s reflected in this updated cast.”
‘The Voice’ coaches make upwards of $13 million per season
Because the coaches on The Voice are the biggest draw for fans to keep watching, they get paid a handsome salary. A source told The U.S. Sun that Gwen Stefani agreed to a $13 million paycheck. She considered going back on tour with No Doubt, but the amount she’d earn on tour for two months equaled The Voice paycheck.
“She gets private bookings all the time to do solo gigs, and of course she plays those songs,” the source said. “It is a business decision, really. ‘Go to work and take in all the cash on your own, or split it several ways?’”
Reba McEntire also makes an estimated $13 million per season, as she stepped in to fill Blake Shelton’s shoes.
No official reports note how much Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé are paid to coach their debut seasons, but it’s likely around the same amount.
Two of the coaches this season might not get along
Past sources claimed that Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani didn’t get along — and that seemingly hasn’t changed with The Voice Season 26.
“During the last season, Reba really found her groove and an in with the bosses, her fellow coaches, and the audience, and became a behind-the-scenes mentor herself, but don’t let that maternal side fool you,” an insider told Life & Style. “She’s extremely competitive and bossy and tends to dominate over her peers and associates.”
The insider added that McEntire is letting Stefani know “she’s in charge,” as she’s “welcoming Gwen back on the show with that Cheshire cat grin of hers.” Because Stefani doesn’t have Blake Shelton around to “protect her,” people around the two judges “predict it’s going to get nasty.”
The Voice Season 26 airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
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