Getty Kelly Clarkson and fellow "The Voice" judge John Legend.
Fans have been speculating for a while that Kelly Clarkson would not return to “The Voice” for season 22. There has also been a lot of speculation about who would replace her. Well, the wondering is over. The newest coach on “The Voice” will be pop star Camila Cabello.
The Cuban-born artist actually appeared on “The Voice” in season 21, not as a coach, but as the advisor for Team Legend. Contestants were ecstatic to meet her then. Now they will have even more access to Cabello.
Camila Cabello Brings Experience & Major Star Power to ‘The Voice’
Camila Cabello is joining Season 22 of The Voice as a coach.
Cabello, 25, is no stranger to reality singing competitions. She got her start in 2012 on the American version of “The X Factor,” where she and four other solo competitors were put together to form the now-famous quintet Fifth Harmony. The group signed to Simon Cowell’s record label and went on to make three records, selling over 15 million copies. Cabello left the group in December 2016 to pursue a successful solo career.
According to Monsters & Critics, Cabello’s career has taken off since she left Fifth Harmony in 2016. Her debut album, “Camila,” went platinum (more than a million sales) after its release in 2018, as did her second album, “Romance,” released in 2020. Her latest album was released in April 2022. She’s also had nine platinum singles, and her single “Havana” featuring the rapper Young Thug has sold more than 10 million units, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Cabello’s music has garnered numerous industry awards and nominations, including five American Music Awards wins in 2018 and 2019. She won Collaboration of the Year both years for her work with Young Thug on “Havana” and Shawn Mendes on “Senorita” and was named New Artist of the Year in 2018. She also won Favorite Song and Favorite Music Video for “Havana.”
Cabello has a huge social media following, with 62.2 million followers on Instagram and 12.8 million followers on Twitter.
Clarkson is not the only coach being replaced this season. Ariana Grande is leaving the show and former coach Gwen Stefani is taking her place. After taking a season off, Stefani will once again be sharing the red chairs with husband Blake Shelton, Cabello and staple coach John Legend.
Clarkson was on the show for eight seasons, winning four times. She has not given an official reason for her departure, but, according to Newsweek, some have speculated that she wants to spend more time with family.
Gwen Stefani and Camila Cabello will replace Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande as coaches on Season 22 of The Voice.
What Do Viewers Think?
Although many fans of “The Voice” seem sorry to see Clarkson go, others appear excited to welcome Cabello.
One viewer tweeted, “Camila will be great because a competition show is how she is where she is now. A little bummed about Kelly, but this will be a good panel.”
Another tweeted, “Camila is a very talented artist that can give great advice to the contestants as she knows what they are going through.”
One fan noted Cabello’s ethnicity, tweeting, “Camila Cabello representing the latinos just like Shakira did!”
Not all viewers were quite as enthusiastic about her new position on “The Voice.” One called it a “downgrade” and one Twitter user referred to the switch as “a huge loss for society.” One completely baffled viewer simply tweeted, “What ? Why ? How ? Reasons ??”
There is, of course, no way to please everyone. As to how well the new panel will fare, viewers will have to tune in this fall. While “The Voice” usually airs twice a year, this is the first year that it will only air once. The show is expected to return this fall on a yet-to-be-announced date.
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‘Voice’ Coach Kelly Clarkson’s Replacement Has Finally Been Named