'The Voice' coaches discuss underperforming winners, the need for a break, more

Credit: NBC

While some fans will likely be upset to see Shakira and Usher depart the panel for season 5, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green were anxious to discuss their return to the series in a panel joined by host/producer Carson Daly and fellow judge Adam Levine.

"I understand I'm coming back to the Blake Shelton show," joked Aguilera. "He said 'I do understand you re-signed your contract with me.'" Yet Aguilera isn't intimidated by Shelton's winning ways. "We pull for our teams, but I think we can agree at the end of the day it's the contestants that win, not us. But Blake keeps it funny."

Adam Levine contributed his own thoughts about Shelton's winning streak, along with working with the contestants themselves. "It's great to work with these guys to get them the win, but it's great to help them get to wherever they're going to get. So winning's great, and I hate the fact Blake won three in a row, but winning isn't always the point...Honestly, we win. We've been very lucky in our careers. There's nothing else we can ask for. It's about preparing the people on our teams ... to have a great experience."

The panel also involved discussion of The Voice concept itself, and why the coaches initially signed on to participate in the series. In discussing her reasons for joining the show, Aguilera said, "I went in holding hands with these guys, not sure what to expect… I don't think a show like this was on our radar, and [producer] Mark [Burnett] just told us, we all as artists know what it feels like to be in that position [of climbing up the ladder]."

In addition, the panelists also made it clear, if it wasn't clear already, that they're all fans of the show. "I caught an episode of last season, I can see why people like this," said Aguilera. "Who's going to push a button? We get very caught up from season one, sitting in the chair, being in that hot seat… it's nice to see I'm part of a show that has stayed true to the talent. It's a huge platform for them to do what they want to do with it. It's like an amazing school. I had great training on 'The Mickey Mouse Club,' and years later so many successes have come out of that… ['The Voice' has] affected me more on a personal level. We don't necessarily need to win this thing. I've been able to remember the journey. It's important for me to step back and remember what my intention is now as a mom as a woman reentering the business."

Aguilera went on to discuss how it felt to be replaced in the trademark chair. "Well, it's not our chair, we share it," the singer admitted. "For me, I was happy someone filled the spot for a second. I had to step away. In 2010, I joined the show because I needed to step into something outside of myself… [and this year] I needed a moment to step away. Thank God for Shakira; she had a sweet, lovely energy."

Cee Lo Green, who didn't speak much during the panel, offered his own opinion on the matter, saying, "I think it was awkward and intriguing at the same time. An out of body experience. I became a fan of the show, [and] we're all fans at the end of the day. It enriches the quality of life, I am enjoying it completely."

However, while the panel remained lighthearted, for the most part, there was a brief addressing of Levine's impulsive "I hate America" outburst after two of his acts landed on the chopping block in season 4, an act for which Levine immediately apologized after a minor uproar started online. "If your intentions are good, everyone makes mistakes… I think people can see through stupid media hype, no offense. As long as you allow yourself to be who you are, you can't defend every single thing you say… just stand behind it."

Host Carson Daly noted, "It's refreshing when people say something [real], they're real people. You're watching people living in that moment.

"And it's part of my personality to say things that are going to piss people off sometimes," Levine added.

As the event continued, the topic of the show's failure to launch a major star just yet became a hot button topic. "I think it would be really nice to launch a huge star," said Levine. "The goal of the show is to do what we can do for these amazing singers while they're on the show. We all know the lighting in a bottle you have to capture to be successful is extremely difficult… the fact it hasn't happened yet doesn't seem like a shortcoming, it just hasn't happened yet."

The popular coach continued, "There's been a lot of success. They've all gone on to do amazing things and been really fulfilled… it depends on your definition of success," Levine said. "The immediacy of winning and becoming a huge star is a fairy tale we'd love to come true."

"It didn't happen that way for me, either," Aguilera said. "You have Britney [Spears], Justin [Timberlake], Ryan Gosling. Did we rocket to success right after? No. Every single opportunity, it's up to you to take that opportunity and take it to the next level.

Of course, getting the opportunity to work with talented young contestants was only one of Aguilera's motivating factors in returning. "For me, what's great about the show… it actually is like a family. I don't want to be cliche or corny, but I was mostly looking forward to having a laugh with these guys. There's a second show behind the scenes that's for another network. It's so much fun, and to have a laugh with these guys, we just have a good time, and get to meet fresh new talent. It's a cool experience. Do I want to do it forever, I'm not sure, but right now it's the right fit for me."

She would go on to discuss her hiatus in season 4, saying, "I cannot live in front of the camera twenty four hours a day. I have to take breaks. I think it's important so you can be your best on camera. I'm a mom' I go home and put on sweats and a t-shirt, I check out and I'm a mom. [My son] starts kindergarten this fall, but Mom's got to pay the bills. And I also wanted to have a moment for me. You need to take it back for a second and bring it back to yourself. Did a lot of traveling and learned a lot."

"And don't think I don't need a break," added Levine, the only other coach besides Blake Shelton to remain with the show through all four seasons thus far. "I do."

Green added his own reasons for returning, saying, "Everything about this show is so positive and so progressive. It's such a genial family atmosphere, and I really missed the company a lot."

Yet the talk invariably returned to Shelton, who was not present. Levine tried to put a positive spin on coming up short to Shelton for a third season, despite critical and public dissatisfaction with the results of past seasons. "Of course we agree with whoever the winner is…," said Levine. "It's out of our control. On a shallow level, we may be disappointed they're not on our team."

Green, however, didn't mince words. "On two occasions, I wanted [my people] to win."

Via: HitFix