The Voice Swaps Christina Aguilera For Shakira

The Voice is already securing it’s mentoring line-up for the forthcoming spring season in 2013, bringing in Columbian superstar Shakira in a straight swap for Christina Aguilera.

The show, which demolished The X-Factor USA in its season premiere, has also brought in Usher for Cee Lo Green, according to Entertainment Weekly. The new additions are part of NBC’s plan to develop an “on-going tent of talent” for the show, though Aguilera is likely to return after promoting her new album. Executive producer Mark Burnett said of the new line-up, “Having award-winning artists as coaches means they need to be able to tour…Whether in the red chair or on tour, our coaches have their chairs for life. This is exactly why, after three seasons, we needed to allow them to rotate out so they can get on the road amongst their fans. Meanwhile, we’re incredibly excited to have singular artists like Usher and Shakira joining the fold.” It’s probably a wise move by show bosses, who will be all too aware of the sinking ratings of The X Factor and American Idol, both of which have failed to come up with original concepts in recent years and relied too heavily on all-star judging names.

Country singer Blake Shelton and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine will continue on the spring season of The Voice.