Michael Bublé might be making his debut on Season 26 of “The Voice” as a member of the star-studded coach panel, but this certainly isn’t the first time the NBC singing competition has tried to get the crooner in a red high-back chair. According to the “Feeling Good” singer, he turned down offers to join “The Voice” over 15 times before finally accepting.
Bublé shared his reasoning for turning down the popular singing series on a visit to the Today show ahead of the Season 26 premiere. His explanation is as selfless as they come.
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Why Michael Bublé Turned Down “The Voice”
With his uncanny ability to pump up the crowd and build up contestants’ confidence, one would assume Michael Bublé is fearlessly forging ahead in his new role as a coach on “The Voice.” However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As the Canadian jazz-pop artist put it during his interview on Today, he was “terrified” to join the team.
In fact, Bublé was hesitant to join for so long that he turned down NBC’s offer for him to come on the show upwards of 16 times. Not only was the singer nervous about working alongside other celebrity coaches like Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, and Gwen Stefani. But he also had qualms about judging the singers.
“Thank God we’re not judges,” Bublé said. “The other shows have judges. We are coaches. Most of the singers are better than me, and I have no place ever judging anyone. So, to get to coach them and live the fantasy of having this career that I’ve had and then get to have the fulfillment of helping someone else get that? That’s the cool part.”
Snoop Dogg Contributed To Michael Bublé’s Nerves, Too
Working out the difference between judging contestants and coaching them wasn’t the only hurdle crooner Michael Bublé had to overcome before joining “The Voice.” In a touching group interview with the Season 26 coach panel, the “Sway” singer revealed that he also had to overcome the fear of working with one of his favorite artists of all time: fellow coach, Snoop Dogg.
“I love you so much,” Bublé told Snoop Dogg. “I’m not joking. My family loves you. I was so terrified that you wouldn’t be who you are. I was so excited to do this with you. People say, ‘Oh, man, he has a great reputation.’ I was so nervous the day we showed up. You were awesome, man, and it was huge for me. Because the truth is, I was really excited. You were better than I ever thought you could be,” Bublé said, visibly choked up.
From meeting his heroes to helping aspiring singers follow the same path he’s been down, we don’t doubt Michael Bublé will fit right in to Season 26 of “The Voice.” After all, 16th time is the charm, right?
Photo by Gage Skidmore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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