What made Christina say yes to The Voice

When Season 3 of The Voice premieres on Sunday, Sept. 16, on AXN at 8 p.m. (same time every Sunday), the show’s followers will be happy to know that Christina Aguilera will be one of the four coaches to be introduced along with Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine (of Maroon 5, coming for a show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 18).

Hosted by Carson Daly, The Voice (as the AXN production information noted) is the only music reality series to have garnered an Emmy nomination in the “Outstanding Reality Competition Program” category, thereby beating its rival American Idol for the first time in 10 years in that race.

Last year, the show made industry heads turn when it introduced a novel way of sieving musical talents — that is, by having the four judges sit on spinning red chairs, their backs to the talents so that the judges can hear their voices (maybe that’s why the show is so titled) but can’t see their faces. In short, the judges rely simply on their ears in evaluating the contestants.

What’s the secret to the show’s success, setting itself apart from the other reality competition series all over television?

Here’s what (still according to the AXN press bulletin):

Season 3 of The Voice continues to up its ante with “retweaks” to its successful show format. For one, viewers will get to see way more of what made the show tick and that, of course, refers to the blind auditions. It’s also said that everyone’s favorite bit about the blind auditions — the spinning red chairs — will now be introduced to the battle rounds. According to host Carson Daly, the battle rounds will also be “playing with some potential interchangeability.” Here’s a long shot but our guess is that the judges might now be able to pinch an evicted member from a rival team. We like the idea of the coaches’ decisions having long-term implications on the outcome of the show, don’t you?

On Season 3, it’s not only the 24 contestants who command close watching but also how, for example, Christina’s “over-the-top head gear and low-cut tops” will compete for viewers’ attention with Cee Lo’s new paramour which is a pink cockatoo he calls Lady whom he said he met during a vacation on “Fantasy Island” (wherever that is). Cee Loo was quoted as saying, “She’s my little lady with a big opinion. Sometimes she whispers inappropriateness in my ears, but always ladylike.”

Each coach will be assisted by a mentor, with Michael Bublé for Blake’s team and Mary J. Blige for Adam’s team. And those for Christina’s team and Cee Lo’s team? Well, find out when The Voice’s Season 3 premieres on Sunday.

Meanwhile, here are sound bits from Christina in an e-mail interview with Funfare:

Have you been watching The Voice before you were enlisted as one of the coaches?

“I started on the show its first season. But I hadn’t seen the Dutch version prior.”

Do the other coaches and you keep from one another your techniques on how to make your contestants beat those of your “competitors?”

“We each just give our team all we know and each of us having different experiences and being in different genres and our styles are different. So no need for us to be secretive. We teach them what WE know.”

A “steal” has been added to the battle round. Is there any possibility of a coach refusing a “steal” from other coaches?

“We have the option to steal but if we aren’t moved by the performance we don’t have to steal that person. So it isn’t mandatory.”

Just between us, how would you stop other coaches from “stealing” any of your talents?

“Well, if a member is voting off in battle they are open to be stolen by another coach. There is really nothing we can do once we vote them off.”

This new segment of The Voice is so exciting. Besides that, what other things made you say “yes” to be a coach?

“I love the concept behind the show and celebrating the voice and the talent behind it.”

What memories does this new TV experience bring back to you?

“I started on reality competition shows so I know first hand what it feels like to be picked or not. It brings it all back and makes it so real.”

Have you ever auditioned for a show? How was the experience? How did you prepare for it?

“Yes, I was on Star Search and came in second. I also had to audition for the Mickey Mouse Club. It is never easy and you can prepare and prepare but once nerves set in it’s hard.”

(Trivia: The Star Search, aired years ago with Arsenio Hall as host, was the same show where our very own Josephine ”Banig” Roberto emerged a winner. In one episode, Banig drew laughter from the US audience when, asked by Hall what her favorite food was, she said, “Spaghetti at McDonald’s.” It turned out that McDonald’s serves that item only in the Philippines, just as it serves spam-with-rice-and-egg breakfast only in Hawaii where Filipinos are great spam-lovers. Now based in the States, Banig hasn’t been heard of for years. —RFL)

What pieces of advice can you give aspiring singers/artists?

“Know your range, study your idols and always do what you can to grow and learn.”

Please tell us what your other projects are aside from your The Voice stint.

“I am working on my next album and I am so excited to share the music with my fans. I even premiered my single Your Body on The Voice.”

How did you choose your contestants for The Voice (what criteria did you use)?

“I wish there was a formula but honestly I just follow my heart and a gut feeling.”

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