Shakira Uncertain About Judging Season 5

The Voice: Shakira Uncertain About Judging Season 5, Talks About Show’s Authenticity

It is unknown if Shakira will return as a judge for the fifth season of “The Voice.”

But, until then, the Colombian singer told The Hollywood Reporter that she is enjoying how authentic the show is when it comes to helping others hone their music skills. 

"There's nothing fake about it," Shakira said, adding that she likes how there are "no posers" on the show.

Joining Shakira as a first time judge was superstar pop singer, Usher, who's been dominating the charts for over a decade. Shakira is said to be replacing Christina Aguilera and Usher is replacing Cee Lo Green—for now.

Still, Shakira’s fellow judges---singers Adam Levine and Blake Sheldon--- were a bit apprehensive and intrigued when the two newbies joined the judging panel.

"I don't think we were ever nervous. We were certainly curious of what the chemistry would be when the new guy and gal came," said Levine.  

“It's obvious, too, if you watch the show that there's a lot of chemistry. You never know, it could've not been there... It's a different chemistry than the chemistry before but we're happy it's there."

Sheldon admitted to be worried about how the new lineup of judges would affect the ratings.

"I was a little bit nervous just because I knew how well the show was doing," he said. "It was beating the odds, you know. It was a music talent show in a world where there's a lot of those. We knew we had something that worked and I never met either one of these two before. One thing you can't fake is chemistry."

Aguilera and Green are expected to return as judges on “The Voice” next season, but when asked if they will return, Shakira and Usher stayed tight-lipped.

Usher Shocks With Final Steal From Team Shakira

‘The Voice’ Recap: Usher Shocks With Final Steal From Team Shakira

April 23 was the end of the battle rounds, so it was all on the line — especially for Usher, who had one steal left! Who did he use it on?

The pressure was on for all four judges on The Voice, but only Usher had a steal left — and he had to save it for the right contestant. Meanwhile, Adam Levine, Shakira, Blake Shelton all had extremely difficult decisions to make to secure the teams that would head to the knock out round!

Team Adam Wows All … Again

Wrapping up the battle rounds, all the performers brought their best. At the end, each judge had a full team of eight to bring to the live shows.

Team Shakira brought down the house with a rockin’ performance of Janis Joplin‘s “Piece of My Heart” by Shawna P and Brandon Roush. Shawna’s Janis-like voice won over Shakira, securing a spot for her.

But the most breathtaking performance once again came from Team Adam.

Sarah Simmons already captured my heart with “One Of Us,” and she did it again when taking on Lady Antebellum’s “Wanted You More.” However, she battled Duncan Kamakana who really brought it too, leaving a tough decision for Adam.

Even Blake says: “you’re one of his favorite singers I’ve ever heard in my life.”

And Adam agrees! He chose Sarah, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Usher Finally Uses Last Steal

Cathia and Marie Miranda shook up the stage when singing a Spanish song written by Shakira herself! Talk about a lot of pressure!

However, after the impressive sing-off, Shakira went with Marie, leaving Cathia up for grabs — and that’s exactly what happened! Usher waited at first, the  after she said her tearful goodbyes, she stepped off stage and Usher jumped on his button, securing his final steal.

Latina artists may be the only thing Shakira and Usher agree on – he joked that she was “narcissistic” for choosing a song that she wrote for her team, and she fired back!

“You never get into an argument with a Latin woman,” Usher told Shakira!

Put those claws away, you two!

So, HollywoodLifers – do you think Usher chose the right one to use his steal on?

Shakira Learns the Power of UshersLeg

“The Voice” Recap: Shakira Learns the Power of #UshersLeg 

Before we can get into anything from tonight’s contestants, we need to take some time to recap what’s happened in the last three weeks. You know, for that huge amnesiac market that every reality show is always catering to. We’re down to the final night of blind auditions, and each coach only has one spot left on their team.
First up, Carson is going to meet Mark Lennon and his band, Venice. Apparently our fearless host was a huge fan of the band growing up, which is just adorable and totally Classic Carson. “I feel like a teenager again!” he says, giddily, as Mark takes the stage. He is singing “Come Together.” Carson is sweating bullets as Mark makes his way through the song without any chairs turning around. He sounds good, but he doesn’t really make the song his own, and when you’re tackling something like The Beatles, it’s pretty much a necessity that you take a risk with it. He’s a good sport about not getting through, though I fear Carson will never recover.
Next up is 24-year-old Jacqui Sandell, who has been singing and dancing for as long as she can remember. She left the classical world of ballet to join a rock band, but tonight she’s auditioning solo. She’s sings “Dreams,” and gets Blake’s chair to turn almost immediately. She has a cool, 90s rock type voice, and it’s enough to get Usher to press his button as well. Usher, always keeping everyone at arms length, says there are some things she needs to work on, but he wants to hear more. Blake calls her sound “sexy,” and otherwise showers her with praise, and ultimately lands her on his team.
After a brief recap of the now complete Team Blake, we meet Amber Carrington, who has been singing for her whole life (cue adorable childhood Elvis impression), but who took a break from music after her mother passed away from breast cancer. Carson also lost a parent to cancer, and has witnessed a  breast cancer battle as well, so he’s super supportive, naturally. She takes the stage and sings Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl.” Blake is excited about her, and with his encouragement, Adam turns around. He’s the only one, so Amber closes out the team.
So now the veterans are set, and the newbies are left to duke it out. Dustin Hatzenbuhler is up next. He’s another former band member, but he’s already struck out on his own, releasing a solo album that was a big ol’ flop. He now lives with his parents, who are sweet and supportive and don’t make him pay rent. He sings “Haven’t Met You Yet,” and it unfortunately sounds like an only okay Michael Buble impression, which isn’t enough to turn any chairs. He has a good attitude, and the coaches all encourage him to return next year.
Luke Edgemon is a young white man who grew up singing in predominantly black church choirs. After high school, he started getting work as a backup singer for a soul singers like Mary J. Blige, so I immediately have high expectations. He’s singing “I Can’t Make You Love Me,”  and he has a really cool voice. If I were a coach, I would have turned two notes in, but it takes a few bars before Shakira presses her button. Usher follows shortly after, and Adam looks physically pained to not be able to turn for him. Usher says he has the specific voice he’s been waiting for, and Shakira says she can teach him something different. Then Shakira pulls the baller move of yanking her leather clad leg up to match Usher’s stance, and that does it. Luke is team Shakira.

That leaves Usher with his pick of the remaining contestants. The first hopeful is Jessica Childress, who left a career in public relations to pursue her dream of being a musician. She sings “Marry You” which, if I were ever a coach, would be an unfair choice because it makes me tear up literally every time I hear it (I’m a sap). She is great, and all the other three judges encourage Usher to hit his button. He’s clearly on board too, but he lets her milk it a little longer before triumphantly hitting his button. He turns with arms wide open, and that’s it for the blind auditions!
Next week we’ll start the battle rounds, with guest mentors Sheryl Crow, Hillary Scott, Joel Madden and Pharrell. Usher and Shakira are going to show off their fire for the first time, and it looks like it’s going to be magical.

 

Shakira and Usher

Shakira and Usher battle it for talented contestant Luke Edgemon... as mentors choose final members for their teams

With only one spot left on all the judges' teams the pressure was on during Tuesday night's Voice.
Not only did Shakira, Usher, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine have to make sure they picked the right singer but they could not hesitate to ensure beat the other judges and turn around for their choice.
And the the rivalry was fierce, especially between new judges Shakira and Usher.

Big fans: Both Shakira and Usher wanted Luke Edgemon on their teams in the final round of blind auditions on The Voice after his beautiful soulful rendition of Bonne Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me

Both stars were desperate to get talented Luke Edgemon on their teams in the final round of blind auditions after his beautiful soulful rendition of Bonne Raitt's I Can’t Make You Love Me.

Convinced that the competitor's soulful vibe would make him clearly favour her rival, Shakira pulled out all the stops to win him over.

'I would be thrilled if I could have you on my team because I think your voice is phenomenal,' Shakira told the 24-year-old church minister's son from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Pick me: 'I would be thrilled if I could have you on my team because I think your voice is phenomenal,' Shakira told the 24-year-old church minister's son from Fayetteville, North Carolina

'You're probably think that Usher is your man - but I'm your girl,' she assured him.

Still convinced that Usher had the upper hand, she then raised her leather-clad leg up and mimicked the R&B star's pose, teasing Luke by saying: 'If I did this would this help your decision? Come on man! Are you ready to pick or what?'

'I pick Shakira,' Luke finally said to everyone's surprise - particularly the sexy Colombian herself. 'It was a little bit of a surprise to me that he made that decision, because Usher is so cool and all that, so I thought, "What if I did the same thing?"'

Dirty tricks: Convinced that Usher had the upper hand, the Latin singer mimicked the R&B star's pose, teasing Luke by saying, 'If I did this would this help your decision?'

Signature pose: Usher often sits looking very cool with one leg up on his chair

But Usher was convinced he was tricked.

'I think the leg sold it for her,' he joked, with Blake adding: 'She had my vote!'

Luke had explained that he had been a backing singer for stars like Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige but thought it was 'time to step out of the background and into the spotlight'. Judging by the two judges battling for him, it could indeed be his time.

As the final blind auditions, the judges were more cautious than normal because once they made their final pick to fill their teams they would have to pass on all the talent to follow.

It was a juggling act that Blake Shelton may have lost.

Country kin: Blake Shelton was devastated when he was not able to pick teenager Amber Carrington from Nashville, Tennessee, as he already had filled his team