Cee Lo Green: Why he's leaving 'The Voice'
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Molly Driscoll Staff writer
Singer Cee Lo Green says he won鈥檛 be returning as a judge for the NBC reality singing competition 鈥淭he Voice.鈥�
Green spoke about his departure during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres airing Wednesday.
鈥淚'm not coming back, guys,鈥� he said, according to the . 鈥淚鈥檓 going to continue my relationship with NBC. I have a television show development deal with them as well and hopefully some other talk show opportunities for later in the year. But yeah, I鈥檓 going to miss 鈥楾he Voice,鈥� too鈥� I just want to 鈥� I don鈥檛 want to wear out my welcome there. You know what I鈥檓 saying? I have so many other things that I want to do. I haven't released an album in four years. I鈥檓 almost done with my album.鈥�
Green will be touring with singer Lionel Richie, who also participated in the interview with DeGeneres, this summer.
In a , NBC alternative and late-night programming president Paul Telegdy said, 鈥淐ee Lo Green has been an instrumental part of the success of The Voice, and we deeply appreciate all his contributions. We鈥檙e looking forward to working with him on other upcoming projects that will tap into both his musical and entertainment expertise."聽
鈥淭he Voice鈥� debuted on NBC in 2011 and is based on the Dutch show titled 鈥淭he Voice of Holland.鈥� Green, Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, singer Christina Aguilera, and country artist Blake Shelton served as judges for the first three seasons of the show. Artists Usher and Shakira took the places of Green and Aguilera for season four, then Green and Aguilera both returned for season five. Usher and Shakira are returning for season six, which is set to premiere on Feb. 24.
Carson Daly has hosted the show since its premiere.聽
The most recent winner of the show is Tessanne Chin, who was mentored by Levine. Shelton has been the most successful of any coach, with three of his contestants taking the prize.
