The Voice Christina Aguilera Black/White Dress PR - P 2012
Mark Seliger/NBCChristina Aguilera is in talks to return to The Voice, a source close to the singer tells The Hollywood Reporter.
A source says Aguilera’s payday is likely to be in the vicinity of $12 million.
The Mark Burnett-produced NBC singing competition first featured Aguilera in its inaugural run, along with seasons two and three. She then took a one-term break and may return for season five.
PHOTOS: ‘The Voice’ Teams: Season 4’s Performers
Although The Voice has seen a slight dip in ratings this year — a special May 8 episode notched a 2.7 among adults, a low for the series excluding recaps, but still enough to beat American Idol head-on in its first hour — the buzz on new coaches Shakira and Usher has been overwhelmingly positive, which certainly can’t be said for Idol.
Aguilera’s return is not unexpected. Burnett told THR last summer that artists of such stature (Adam Levine and Blake Shelton fill out the panel this season; Cee Lo Green was among the original foursome) have other musical commitments that could see them take extended breaks from the show’s big red chairs. “These are current touring artists, so it’s a matter of balancing schedules,” he said. “They’re all in demand, and we’re just balancing it all.”
STORY: ‘American Idol’ On The Charts: ‘Voice’ Finalist Takes the ‘Wheel,’ Boosts Carrie Underwood
In revealing its 2013-14 schedule Sunday, the network announced that The Voice will keep the same two-hour block on Mondays, though Tuesday’s one-hour episode has shifted to 9 p.m.
NBC had no comment.
