'Voice US' season 5 premieres with original coaches

MANILA -- While “The Voice of the Philippines” ended its successful first season on Sunday night, with Mitoy Yonting taking home the top prize, fans of the worldwide talent competition can look forward to the start of the fifth season of the US version of “The Voice,” which kicks off on Monday.

The Emmy-nominated show premieres its latest season on September 30 on cable channel AXN, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:10 p.m., in the same week of the US telecast.

For “The Voice Season 5,” the original team of celebrity musician coaches will be reunited, as it promises to bring back “the amazing chemistry” between Blake Shelton, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.

Last season, Usher and Shakira joined Shelton and Levine, after Aguilera and Green went on a break for their individual commitments.

Aguilera, who spent time with her five-year-old son and traveled during her break from the show, explained: “I have to take breaks, stay connected with myself. I’m a mom. When I leave here I put on sweats and a T-shirt, I check out. I needed some time to do that. I am revived and renewed.”

Returning from performing the “Cee Lo Green is Loberace” show at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Green added: “I missed everyone. I'm happy to be here.”

Both return to a series that is now looking like “The Blake Shelton Show” as the country music star has already coached three consecutive winners of “The Voice” since season 2.

As with previous seasons of “The Voice,” the four stars will once again start picking their teams by only hearing contestants sing in the signature blind auditions. If a coach is impressed by the contestant’s voice, a button is pressed to select the artist for his or her team, and only at this point, the coach's chair will turn to face the contestant. If more than one coach push their buttons, the contestant gets to choose his or her coach.

Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches, with help from additional celebrity advisors, dedicate themselves to develop their teams of talents, offer advice and share the secrets of their success. Fans will revel in the thrills and spills of the vocal training and elimination competition through the battle, knockout and live performance rounds. And in the end, America’s TV audience will decide who among the coaches’ protégés wins the prize of $100,000 and a recording contract as “The Voice.”

Also with the show for all five seasons is host Carson Daly who praised Aguilera and Green for not having “missed a beat” upon their return. Calling the coaches a “solid” group, Daly also called “The Voice Season 5” the “best season” that they have ever made.

Meanwhile, the producers have confirmed that Usher and Shakira will be back next season.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mitoy on 'Voice PH' win: Masaya at pinagpala ako

MANILA – Veteran band vocalist Mitoy Yonting is still reeling from his victory Sunday night after he was named the first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News immediately after the show, Yonting said he feels blessed that a lot of people voted for him.

“Masayang masaya po ako. Pinagpala ako ngayong araw na ito. Maraming salamat sa Diyos at sa mga gumastos ng load nila,” he said.

Yonting said he is clueless as to how he got a massive support but added that he would like to believe that those who voted for him really believed in his talent.

“Siguro 'yung mga nakakapanood ng gigs ko, baka doon ko nahuli ang loob nila. Siguro 'yun ang nagtulak sa kanila para suportahan ako,” he said unsurely.

Asked what he is planning to do with the P2-million cash prize, Yonting said in jest: “Pag-iisipan muna. Itatago ko muna, siguro after 40 years saka ko gagalawin. Magkano ang interes no’n?”

Speaking on a serious note, the 42-year-old member of Team Lea said he would definitely think about how to spend the money considering what he went through to clinch the victory.

“Pag-iisipan ko muna, mahirap 'yung bigla kasi malaking pera. Kung alam niyo lang ang hriap niyan, talagang mahirap kaya sisiguraduhin ko na maayos ang paggagamitan ko,” he said.

Aside from Yonting, his coach, Tony winner Lea Salonga, was equally elated that her bet won.

“It’s been interesting. It’s been amazing. It’s been wonderful. It’s been a learning experience for me because this is the first time I’ve coached like this. I’m hoping that he actually got something from it,” she said.

According to Salonga, she and Yonting did not expect the victory and that they were already content with the top 2 spot.

“For me kasi, we were also talking about it na okay na, we are in the top 2, we are fine. Whatever is God’s will, that’s what will happen. The kaba was gone because at that point, it was beyond us,” she said.

“I think it’s God’s will that we got the second spot to sing which made me happy that he got to sing last. He picked a song that he knew, he’s comfortable with, that he didn’t have to learn,” she added.

Saying Yonting is deserving of the win, Salonga is hoping the world will get to know his talent and good heart.

As the first-ever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines,” Yonting won a P2 million, a new car, an Asian tour package for two and a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com