CONFIRMED: Shakira to Exit THE VOICE; Usher to Follow?

The Voice is prepping for its original four judges to return.

As BWW TV previously reported, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green are finishing deals to reclaim their red chairs on NBC's singing competition, and in the process, forcing out freshman mentors Shakira and Usher. Today, Shakira confirmed to E! News that she would be departing after a single season.

"It was a hard decision for me to make," she said today. "...I'm really fond of the coaches, the people in production and everybody around me. And I really enjoyed THE VOICE, but I also have a musical career and I'm also a mother now and my poor baby's so tired flying such long distances. He already has more miles than any pilot. So I think I have to give him a little break, and we'll see what happens in the future."

In addition, sources have confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Usher will also be out. The R&B star has a previous commitment to star as Sugar Ray Leonard in HANDS OF STONE, opposite Robert De Niro.

Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are also wrapping up their own deals to stick around The Voice for another couple of seasons.

Both original judges have been expected to return in the fall, but replacement judges Shakira and Usher have resonated with audiences, and created a fresh rapport: in April, the show hit an all-new ratings high.

What do you guys think? Are you pleased that the original four will be back, or peeved that NBC is taking the IDOL route and playing musical chairs with their judges each season?

For Shakira's original confirmation, head on over to E! News.

Photo credit: Mark Selinger/NBC

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