Gwen Stefani's out, Christina Aguilera's in for Season 8 of "The Voice." NBC announced on Oct. 14 that Aguilera will be occupying a red judge's chair next season, ultimately kicking the No Doubt rocker off the singing competition show.
Stefani - who currently serves as a judge alongside Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and newbie Pharrell Williams - temporarily replaced Aguilera when she left to give birth to her second child. It's long been understood that Stefani wasn't a long-term judge but a source told Page Six that some staffers are upset the "Hollaback" singer won't return.
"When Gwen took over, she instantly became a favorite and bonded" with the others, the source said. "She injected energy and humor onto the panel."
The source claims that Aguilera's return for next season is causing a "rift" because people are hoping that Stefani's contract will be extended. However, a second source told the site that bringing the "Beautiful" singer back has always been the plan and Stefani has other things - like her music career - she wants to focus on.
"Whenever there's a change in coaches, there are rumors of drama," the source said. "Christina was always coming back. And Gwen is always welcome- hopefully she'll be back."
"For Gwen to do 'The Voice' is a re-launching pad for things she wants to do in her career. She is going to work more on fashion, music and other things, now that she has a fresh coat of paint on her from the exposure of the 'The Voice,'" a source told Hollywood Life. "But one thing for sure is she will be back on 'The Voice' in the future. 100 percent. They all love her there."
There have also been rumors that "The Voice" producers are trying to get Taylor Swift to sign on as a permanent judge in the future. The "Red" singer will appear on the current season as a key advisor.
"Taylor Swift is great, she filmed her segments and it was basically a job, but she had fun and really had a lot to say. But when it comes to 'The Voice,' everyone loves her on it and it will show on TV and when the producers approached her, it was an approach to groom her into a future position on the panel of judges if they ever need one and it fits everyone's schedule," a source told Hollywood Life.
