TODAY (April 11th 2011)

Celebrity judges discuss being on "The Voice"

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, co-host: Well, the new singing competition "The Voice" premieres here on NBC on April 26th and it features some of music's biggest names. TODAY's contributing correspondent Jenna Bush Hager caught up with them recently. Good morning, Jenna.

JENNA BUSH HAGER reporting: Good...

GUTHRIE: Another good assignment for you.

HAGER: I know. A lot of fun. Good morning. "The Voice" has superstars evaluate and eliminate wannabe singers hoping to break into the music industry. And while it may sound like that other TV singing competition, this one has a whole new spin.

Several weeks of singing and eliminations with an occasional pat on the back from a big-name celebrity artist.

(Clips from "The Voice")

HAGER: And then America decides who has the voice to make it in the recording industry. The concept may sound familiar, but "The Voice" on NBC puts a new spin on the conventional TV singing competition.

Mr. ADAM LEVINE: We're not just watching a performance and then judging them based on what we see.

HAGER: Actually, during the initial audition the coaches never see the contestant. They sit in revolving chairs with their backs to the singer.

Mr. CARSON DALY (Host, "The Voice"): Jenna, you are sitting in the chair, the star of "The Voice," and if you hear somebody's voice that you like, you will hit a button, it's not here now, and it'll turn this big chair around.

HAGER: So this is--to sit here is a pretty big honor. Whose chair is this?

Mr. DALY: That is Cee Lo's.

HAGER: Cee Lo.

Mr. DALY: Yes.

HAGER: He's my favorite.

Mr. DALY: He's the best.

HAGER: Currently on tour with the hit song topping the charts, Cee Lo Green signed with "The Voice" to help launch new talent.

Mr. CEE LO GREEN: It's an honor. It's not hard work, I do admit, and--but it's very gratifying. I'm very gracious and grateful to be here. And it's a wonderful opportunity, it's great show and I'm glad to be a part of it.

HAGER: Pop diva Christina Aguilera...

(Clip from "The Voice")

HAGER: ...country singer Blake Shelton...

(Clips from "The Voice")

HAGER: ...and Maroon 5's front man Adam Levine will choose and mentor a team of singers, eliminating the weakest until each celebrity coach has one team member left.

(Clip from "The Voice")

Ms. CHRISTINA AGUILERA: You're looking for that something that moves you and inspires you.

HAGER: Making headlines for forgetting the lyrics to the National Anthem at this year's Super Bowl, filing for divorce and a recent arrest for public intoxication, Aguilera says her new gig is exactly what she needs.

Ms. AGUILERA: You know, it couldn't have come at a better time for me. Anyone that has been divorced will tell you, you know, there's a lot of things and emotions that stir up and that happen and, yeah, it was a pretty rough year but, you know, you learn from those tough times and, you know, you rebound.

HAGER: Adding to the pressure of coaching amateur singers, Blake Shelton is also taking on the role of wedding planner.

So what's more nerve-racking, this show or planning a wedding?

Mr. BLAKE SHELTON: Are you--the wedding part's easy. Look at--look at...

Ms. AGUILERA: Well, because it's probably Miranda's job.

Mr. SHELTON: ...look at--yeah, she--I don't...

HAGER: What's the dynamic like between the four of you?

Ms. AGUILERA: Well, I'm the mama bear trying to rein in my rowdy boys here. It's literally me and the boys and I can't even believe I'm witness to some of the conversations that happen between, you know...

HAGER: Gross.

Mr. SHELTON: Her hands went this way when she said that.

Ms. AGUILERA: It's just like three brothers. It's like having three brothers or...

Mr. LEVINE: She's got to deal with a lot of fart jokes and stuff like that.

HAGER: Yeah. Gross.

Mr. GREEN: Yeah.

Ms. AGUILERA: Or a teacher--yeah--with the little boys in the classroom. I have to do some wrist slaps every once in a while, get them in line.

HAGER: And the coaches say don't call them judges; they don't watch "American Idol" and say that this is the only show they'd be interested in participating in. Beyond the great talent, they seem to be having lots of fun.

GUTHRIE: I got to say, last time I saw you, Jenna, you were singing with Celine Dion so, you know, maybe...

HAGER: Oh, yeah, maybe Cee Lo...

GUTHRIE: ...there's a shot for you.

HAGER: ...maybe my--maybe my star crush Cee Lo will have me come sing.

GUTHRIE: Well, I'll be there to do that story if it happens. Jenna Bush Hager, thank you.

And a reminder, "The Voice" premieres Tuesday, April 26th at 9, 8 Central time right here on NBC. And you can catch a special speak preview tomorrow night during "The Biggest Loser."