The Voice first aired on NBC in 2011 and quickly became a hit music competition show. With Carson Daly as the host and a mix of star coaches, it aimed to find fresh musical talent and turn them into superstars.
The very first season featured Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, and Adam Levine as the original coaches. Each of them brought a different style and perspective to the show. But over time, the coaching panel started to change.
Both Aguilera and Green left the show before season 4, and their seats were filled by Shakira and Usher. While the original judges made a return in season 5, they left again by season 6.
Christina Aguilera returned briefly in season 7 as an adviser and came back as a coach for seasons 8 and 10. However, by 2016, she had officially stepped away. Later in an interview with Billboard in 2018, she opened up about her experience on the show.
She explained that it no longer felt like it was about the music.
“It became something that I didn’t feel was what I had signed up for in season 1. … You realize it’s not about music. It’s about making good TV moments and creating a story,” she said.
Aguilera also shared that the show felt limiting, especially for a female artist.
“You can’t wear this, can’t say that. I would find myself on that show desperately trying to express myself through clothing or makeup or hair. It was my only kind of outlet.”
Through the years, many coaches have come and gone, each for their own reasons — some due to scheduling conflicts, others because the show didn’t feel like the right creative fit anymore. Despite the changes, The Voice remains a fan-favorite, thanks to its mix of music, drama, and star power.