The Voice returns on Sept. 22 and for new judge Pharrell Williams, it’s more than just another gig.
“I don’t want to call it a job,” Williams said at a recent press conference at Universal Studios. “You couldn’t ask for a better opportunity!” The “Happy” singer told reporters that he took the gig in the hopes of being able to provide guidance to an array of rising talent both on and off the show. “I knew that we would have access to more people than just the contestants that we were working with who may have some of the same issues or some of the same questions,” he explained. “We may give some suggestions or advice that they didn’t even know that they may need. So I just instantly looked at it as this great opportunity to reach more people.”
Related
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
As far as his strategy as a first-time coach, Williams says he’s following in Blake Shelton’s footsteps. “Strategy is one thing, but this guy has stratagems, which is actually a word, and he really does. His way of competing is awesome because he’s just being so genuine the entire time. It’s literally who he is on and off the camera. And his ability to peer into an artist — it’s the voice, and then there’s the thing that you have, and he just spots it.”
Shelton, having ushered Jermaine Paul, Cassadee Pope, and Danielle Bradbery to victory, however, denies having any sort of plan. “Season 4, I purposely set out with the strategy of trying to put a bunch of country artists together,” he explained. “I did that with Danielle Bradbery but that was just lucky. I don’t think there’s any way to really do that and be honest, because you have to react to these people that are singing behind you…just like you do when you react to your radio in your car. If you hear something you like you turn it up, and if you hear something you don’t like, you change the station. That’s kind of how it is sitting in the chair except, you know, you’ve got to not hurt their feelings,” he added.
For fellow newbie Gwen Stefani, being asked to coach The Voice caught her by surprise. “I just literally had my new little baby boy and was sitting at home and the phone rang,” she said. While the job came out of nowhere, the No Doubt frontwoman is honored that she was asked. “I feel so lucky. There’s only one girl chair and I got to sit in it. I can’t believe it!” she exclaimed.
The Voice Judges’ Billboard Photo Shoot
In addition to being on the show, Stefani, who collaborated with Williams in the past on No Doubt‘s 2001 “Hella Good” is excited to perch next to her musical pal in the show’s famous swivel chairs. The songstress revealed that her children are “Pharrell’s biggest fans” and admitted that she had ulterior motives to hopping on stage with the R&B hitmaker to perform the track at this year’s Coachella. “I got a tour bus because I wanted to show off for my kids. We drove the boys to Palm Springs and the first time I left the house after having the baby was walking out on stage to do ‘Hollaback Girl.'”
Apart from some new faces in the judges’ chairs, show producer Mark Burnett says there are no other immediate plans to make any format changes to season 7. “Things are working really well. The most important thing is don’t try and fix what’s not broke,” he joked. This season, however, the show’s fabulous foursome will be assisted by heavy-hitting musical advisors: Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Little Big Town, and Stefani’s husband, Gavin Rossdale.
Billboard Video: Behind the Scenes With ‘The Voice’ Judges
According to Voice veteran Adam Levine, the chemistry between the existing coaches and the newbies was instantaneous. “These guys came in and we all just kind of congealed like, ‘Wow! This is working!’” he explained. But while the A-list mentors may get along, the competitive spirit that makes America tune into The Voice prevails.
“It’s time for someone else to win,” chirped Stefani with a smirk.
“No, it’s not!” exclaimed Adam.
And with that, we’re off.
Season 7 of The Voice returns to NBC on Sept. 22.