In a world full of reality show competitions, The Voice, entering its eighth season, has risen above the rest, due in large part to the appeal of the music superstars that are in the judges’ chairs, every season. Granted, the artists vying for spots on the show are incredibly talented, but their coaches are undeniably at the top of their game and can provide a wealth of advice and support until it’s up to America to pick the ultimate winner.
This season, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera will be battling it out amongst each other to put together teams of the strongest vocalists from across the country. During a recent conference to promote the new season, the foursome talked about what it takes to find a winning contestant, learning from each season, whether it’s significant that the show hasn’t had a real break-out artist, making sure your singing sounds as good as possible, rebuilding confidence in such a tough business, and why this show is enjoying continued success when their competitors have struggled.
Christina and Pharrell, what are you guys going to do this year to beat Adam and Blake?
CHRISTINA AGUILERA: With different coaches, you get different flavors and different styles and different talent that come on the show. I’m always like, “Okay, maybe this time.” I know these guys have been on for eight seasons. And then, I wasn’t on the season that Usher actually won. Honestly, I just want to have a good time, listen to great singers and great music, and just use my instincts, as usual. Everything happens for a reason. I’m sure that my time will come. But, it’s not just about us. It’s great that you can share and feel proud of somebody that you’ve supported through this journey, which is crazy and it’s a lot of work for them, and you get to see what they go through. It’s a competitive format, which I love and hate. I don’t like music to be so competitive. But it’s exciting and it’s a great training ground to prep them for what comes in the future, once they are not on the show. It’s an amazing training camp, in general.
PHARRELL WILLIAMS: We’ll continue to fight. You’ve got to fight.
AGUILERA: Somebody’s going to take it.
WILLIAMS: Adam is so swift. And Blake is so convincing. Aside from their experience, they’re just really talented people who have done really well, in their own careers. Artists are going to listen to them, so we just have to continue to fight. I haven’t won, but I have enjoyed it so much. You see these kids light up when they see something different in themselves. Not that you brought out, but you may have just pointed at it, and they see it and are able to retrieve it and take it to another level. That, in itself, is a win for me, but it doesn’t win the show. I remain content with that, but I also remain winless.
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