Recently engaged judge Gwen Stefani will not be returning for season 20 of The Voice. The singer will be replaced by former judge, Nick Jonas.
It looks like Gwen Stefani is taking yet another season off from The Voice. According to TV Line, the singer turned coach will no longer be working alongside (and competing against) her country singing fiancé. She will be replaced by season 18's coach, Nick Jonas. Host of The Voice, Carson Daly, made the change of judge announcement on The Today Show this morning, November 17. Carson did not explain why Gwen will not be returning to the show. Nick Jonas will be competing alongside current judges Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend.
In a comical promo video on The Voice's YouTube, the current judges revealed who would be joining them in the newly emptied red chair. Kelly, Blake, and John are seen chatting about not knowing who the new judge will be before walking in on Nick mediating. The video goes into a flashback of Nick's last season where he shares, "I've been living and breathing The Voice since season 18." Blake exclaims, "It's Nick Jonas, he's back!" The promo video concludes by Nick telling the other judges, "A warrior never sleeps." Carson Daly went on to explain that to be a good coach on the show, you must be a good person and Nick is just that. He expressed how excited he is to have Nick return to the show. The new season of The Voice with returning judge Nick Jonas will premiere in early 2021.
Thing really do come full circle, as Nick will take over Gwen's spot on the show after she did the same for him this season. Season 20 could be Nick's redemption time to have a winning singer on his team, beating out his fellow judges. He may have some coaching experience under his belt already, but will his time away from the show be a disadvantage for him? The other judges have all had a few consecutive seasons coaching. Fans will just have to wait and see how the new season plays out. In the meantime, season 19 of The Voice just finished up the Battle Rounds on Monday, and will soon begin the Knockout Round.
Source: The Today Show, The Voice on Youtube, TV Line