Seven announces new coaches for The Voice in 2021
Seven has swapped out three coaches for The Voice 2021, with Rita Ora, Keith Urban, and Jessica Mauboy joining Guy Sebastian, replacing Delta Goodrem, Boy George and Kelly Rowland.
The 10th season of The Voice Australia will air on Seven and be hosted by Sonia Kruger; the network nabbed the format in August after a nine season run on Nine.
The coaching line up in 2021 includes (clockwise from top left): Sebastian, Ora, Mauboy, and Urban
While Seven called the addition a “coup”, Nine was happy to see the back of “the poorest financial performer on our slate”, costing $40 million to produce but drawing 871,000 metro viewers for its most recent finale – the lowest finale result it’s experienced. However, the episode was impacted by COVID-19-induced production issues, with only two of the four judges able to appear in person (Rowland and Boy George were connected via satellite).
“We wish Seven well in their quest to revive yet another Nine show,” a Nine spokesperson said at the time of the deal.
The coaches announcement is the first after Seven’s director of programming, Angus Ross, promised to “supercharge” the format. In a statement, Seven reiterated that the upcoming season will feature “surprising new elements”.
Kruger will host the show
Three of the four judges have coached on the show before – Ora in the UK, Urban appeared on the first Australian season, and Sebastian joined in season eight.
“The evolution of The Voice in 2021 is genuinely exciting,” Sebastian said.
“I am so happy to be working alongside these amazing coaches. I have known Jess for a long time, I am a huge admirer of Keith and Rita is a great talent. I really feel like this panel will genuinely nurture a new generation of artists.”
Urban said the panel is “very cool and musically diverse”, while Ora said her love for the show and Australia meant the gig is a “match made in heaven”.
Mauboy is also no stranger to reality singing shows, coming second on the 2006 season of Australian Idol and adding: “I know firsthand exactly how life-changing a show like this can be, so I’m honoured to be part of such an experienced team of coaches and I’m looking forward to some amazing chair-turning moments.”
In addition to The Voice, Seven is resuscitating Australian Idol, which will return in 2022. It’s upcoming content slate also includes familiar formats such as Big Brother, Farmer Wants a Wife, and Australia’s Got Talent. Plate of Origin, My Kitchen Rules, and House Rules were all axed for 2021.
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Brittney Rigby was Mumbrella's deputy managing editor - news and analysis. She left Mumbrella in April 2021.
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