From the New York Times:
“The Voice” has seen the last of CeeLo Green — at least as a regular coach on the hit NBC singing contest.
Mr. Green told Ellen DeGeneres in an interview for her syndicated talk show to be broadcast on Wednesday that he would not be returning to “The Voice” after appearing in four of its first six editions. (The sixth, which is taping episodes, begins on Monday without Mr. Green.) “I’m not coming back at all,” he told Ms. DeGeneres.
NBC confirmed the news in a statement, which did not specify the plan to replace Mr. Green, whose real name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway. Mr. Green had been part of the original foursome of coaches on “The Voice,” along with Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton.
The singer Usher has replaced Mr. Green in the show’s revolving chairs both last year and this year, but NBC executives said on Wednesday that the network was not ready to announce its plans for future versions of the show, though it said a plan was in place.
The departure was described by both sides as entirely amicable. Mr. Green has a development deal for future shows with the network. He said in the interview with Ms. DeGeneres: “I have so many other things that I want to do. I haven’t released an album in four years.”
In a statement released by NBC, Mr. Green said: “There are numerous reasons that led to this decision, which has been amicably reached with NBC, but I’m excited to be developing several other ideas with the network and my association with NBC remains strong.”
In his own statement, Paul Telegdy, the president of NBC’s division overseeing reality programs, said: “CeeLo Green has been an instrumental part of the success of ‘The Voice’ and we deeply appreciate all his contributions. We’re looking forward to working with him on other upcoming projects that will tap into both his musical and entertainment expertise.”
In October, Mr. Green was arrested on a felony drug charge in Los Angeles and accused of supplying a woman with the drug ecstasy. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
