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The Voice Australia's surprise coaches for 2021 revealed
The major shake up of The Voice Australia continues after three new stars were named to join the show for the 2021 season.
Guy Sebastian is the ‘last-man standing’ from the previous group of coaches, with British singer Rita Ora, Keith Urban, and Jessica Mauboy officially joining the line-up for the next series.
Keith Urban was previously a coach on The Voice Australia back in 2012 alongside Delta, Seal and Joel Madden and is clearly excited to be back.
“The stars have finally aligned again! Ten years after spinning in the first season, and just before getting back on stage around the world, I’ve been invited back alongside a very cool and musically diverse panel,” he said.
Aussie singer Jessica Mauboy said she was also excited for the show, having Australian Idol to thank for her own career kickstart.
“I’m so proud of the talent that exists in this country,” she said. “I know firsthand exactly how life-changing a show like this can be, so I’m honoured to be part of such an experienced team of coaches and I’m looking forward to some amazing chair-turning moments.”
Rita Ora meanwhile has been a judge on both The Voice UK and The X Factor.
“I love The Voice and I absolutely adore Australia so this is a match made in heaven,” she said.
“Having been a coach on the UK series, I know just how powerful it can be in making dreams come true. I can’t wait to find Australia’s next superstar.”
As she revealed in a lengthy Instagram post, the announcement means Delta Goodrem - who has been a coach on the show for almost every season since 2012 - won’t be returning to her big red chair.
“What a ride we had red chair!” she wrote.
“One of the most powerful gifts of my nine year journey on The Voice has been finding my own voice amongst all of it. The heart, the dreams people shared, the exceptional talent and the constant inspiration of being around music - so many magic moments that I am so proud of and I am truly grateful for it all."
“Wishing everyone all the best for a great season ahead. #TeamDelta lives on in my heart and now onto a very exciting new chapter.”
Speculation that former judges Boy George and Kelly Rowland wouldn’t be returning, started not long after it was announced that The Voice Australia would be moving to Channel 7 after the Network commissioned the popular entertainment show from ITV Studios Australia.
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In September an insider told New Idea that Seven had no plans to keep the show's overseas judges, "Seven are going for local coaches only.”
In response to the news, Boy George shared an article to Twitter headlined ‘Seven dumps international Voice coaches in favour of local singers', writing: “I've never been 'dumped' by a network. My nipples are hard!”
Of course, with Rita Ora joining the team, ‘local coaches only’ hasn’t completely eventuated, but the source was almost on the money having revealed at the time the show was “going after Jessica Mauboy” to “be more family friendly.”
For the past nine seasons The Voice Australia has been one of the flagship entertainment programs on Channel Nine, but will move to the rival network for season ten, with viewer favourite Sonia Kruger returning as host.
At the time CEO and Managing Director James Warburton said it was a “coup for Seven”.
Channel Nine was quick to responded with a slightly savage response to the initial announcement, clearly not worried about losing the hit show.
“Unfortunately due to the age of the show and declining demographic profile, The Voice had become by far the poorest financial performer on our slate. We wish 7 well in their quest to revive yet another Nine show,” a representative told the Daily Mail.
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