In a major coup for NBC’s hit singing competition series, The Voice has tapped two music superstars to serve as mega mentors for the upcoming 26th season. Beloved coach Jennifer Hudson is making her grand return to the show, this time as an elevated “mega mentor” alongside 17-time Grammy winner Sting, who will be making his Voice debut in the same role.
Jennifer Hudson’s Homecoming
After serving as a coach on seasons 13 and 15 of The Voice, Jennifer Hudson is coming back to the series with an upgraded title. Coaches Michael Bublé and Reba McEntire will pair up with the EGOT winner and celebrated vocalist to prepare their artists for the high-stakes Knockouts round.
This marks the first time The Voice has called upon two mega mentors in a single season, rather than having one artist split their time between all four teams. It also means Hudson will make her first return to the series since her last stint as a coach.
Though Hudson didn’t manage to eke out a win during her two seasons on The Voice US, she has found success on the franchise in other countries. The singer appeared in three seasons of The Voice UK, where she snagged a win with singer Mo Jamil Adeniran during her very first year.
“By the time I was eliminated, I felt I had gotten an opportunity to display who I was as an artist, so I was okay with being eliminated,” the singer said of her time on American Idol, where she placed seventh back in 2004. “And once I was eliminated, I realized that I was leaving behind my talent and gift.” The competition may have ended, but your passion, love, and drive remain.
Sting Makes His Voice Debut
Joining Hudson in the mega mentor role is rock legend Sting, the frontman of the iconic band The Police. The 17-time Grammy winner will be assisting coaches Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani as they prepare their artists for the Knockouts.
Sting’s massive musical resume includes over 100 million albums sold, both with The Police and as a solo artist. In addition to his Grammys, he’s also won a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and received four Oscar nominations. He holds memberships in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has received honors such as the Kennedy Center Honors, American Music Award of Merit, and Polar Music Prize.
In a recent announcement, the show declared that “The Voice’s Mega Mentors have become even more powerful.” “For the first time in the show’s history, two award-winning artists will help the competing singers through the knockout round. And they’re both super-famous.”
A Historic Season 26
The news of Hudson and Sting joining as mega mentors marks a major moment for The Voice, which has never before enlisted two artists simultaneously in that elevated role. Their presence is sure to provide an invaluable boost to the contestants as they vie for a chance to remain on the show.
“This marks the first time that The Voice has called upon two mega mentors in a single season, as opposed to one artist splitting their time between all four teams,” the announcement noted.
For Hudson, it represents a homecoming to the series where she first gained her footing as a coach. And for Sting, it will be his inaugural appearance on The Voice, bringing his decades of musical mastery to the competition.
Fans can catch Hudson and Sting in action when The Voice’s Knockouts begin airing on November 11. With this dynamic duo on board, season 26 is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded and musically exceptional installments yet.
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