'Happy' news for fans of The Voice. Pharrell Williams has officially signed up to the US show, NBC has announced.
The singer-songwriter will replace Cee Lo Green in the singing competition's upcoming seventh season.Pharrell, 40, has appeared on The Voice before, as Team Usher's season 4 battle rounds mentor. But he will be training a team of his own come the autumn.
Pharrell is to join The Voice USA
The Voice is on a rotating panel of coaches, with Shakira and Usher stepping in for Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo for seasons four and six. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are the only two judges to have appeared on every season of the show.
Recently Chris Martin joined the show's ranks, serving as an advisor on the sixth season, which is currently underway.Cee Lo announced his departure from The Voice on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.
Cee-Lo Green announced he was leaving The Voice on The Ellen Show
"I'm not coming back at all," he confirmed. "I just don't want to wear out my welcome there, you know what I am saying? I have so many other things that I want to do. I haven't released an album in four years. I'm almost done with my album.
"Pharrell's signing is sure to be a ratings hit for The Voice.
"It's been a huge year for Pharrell, with recognition for his contribution in the world of music — the Despicable Me franchise soundtracks, his Oscar-nominated song Happy and his Grammy-winning collaboration with Daft Punk on the breakout dance hit Get Lucky," NBC boss Paul Telegdy said in a statement.
© Photo: Getty ImagesUsher, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera with Cee-Lo make up the current mentoring panel
"His dominance in record sales in 2014, coupled with his incomparable accomplishments in the world of fashion and design, make him an irresistible addition to The Voice family.
"He has already made a considerable impact as a mentor, drawing on an impressive track record as both a producer and performer. It is a perfect fit for The Voice as we evolve and reach for new heights with this franchise. It feels like we are welcoming an existing family member home."
