By Melanie Dostis. Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys join ‘The Voice’ as coaches for upcoming cycle as Pharrell Williams departs for season. They’re coming in like a wrecking ball to bring girl power to the judging panel on “The Voice.” Pop stars Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys were announced Friday night as new coaches for the upcoming season of the hit singing competition.
“RT to welcome #AliciaAndMiley as our coaches for season 11! #TheVoice,” the official Twitter page for the show wrote. The new gig is an upgrade for the “Can’t Stop” crooner, who is an adviser for all the contestants this season. “It’s true! I am going to be the newest judge on Season 11 of The Voice,” the 23-year-old tweeted. The two will dole out advice alongside coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton—making it the first time two female stars have placed on the judging panel.
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The shake-up means longtime judge Pharrell Williams will depart for at least one season but pending his schedule he will return in a future cycle, a “Voice” source said. The fourth red chair has always been rotated as longtime judge Christina Aguilera takes every other season off. Singers Shakira and Gwen Stefani have previously filled in but Stefani, who is dating her co-star Blake Shelton, was not asked back by the network. However, the No Doubt star has continued with the NBC show as an adviser for Season 10.
As for the “Hips Don’t Lie” songstress, TMZ reported she is on the “backburner.” In previous seasons, mega stars like Taylor Swift and Rihanna have coached hopefuls but did not go on to judge the reality show. It’s been a busy year for Cyrus, who released a new album in August and is planning her wedding to on-again beau Liam Hemsworth. Meanwhile, Keys is working on her sixth studio album to be released this year.