Calling all Arianators…Ariana Grande has started filming her first days on set as the newest coach on The Voice. The pop star will replace Nick Jonas and sit alongside coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton. Although this is her first season as a judge, Ariana has already surpassed the veteran judge’s salaries. Ariana will be paid between $20 and $25 million to coach contestants for season 21 of the show.
In March, Ariana shared with her 245 million Instagram followers that she would be taking Nick Jonas’ seat in The Voice coaching chair. In a picture of her lounging on the revolving Voice chair, she said, “Surprisee !!! I am beyond thrilled, honored, excited to be joining @kellyclarkson @johnlegend @blakeshelton next season ~ season 21 of @nbcthevoice !” She ended the announcement by saying, “@nickjonas we will miss you.” Ariana has been a fan of NBC’s singing competition for over a decade. The “Positions” singer tweeted back in 2011, “Who’s watching the voice tonight? How is it? So excited to watch when I get home. :].“
Season 21’s Blind Auditions started filming on Monday, June 21, and eyewitnesses revealed to E! News how the rookie judge is fitting in with the other coaches and fans. Ariana may be softspoken, but she is getting the hang of her fellow coaches’ banter and is even getting in on the fun. An eyewitness said she and Blake Shelton are “so funny together.” The two sit next to each other and have silly conversations. The 27-year-old was seen taking selfies with fellow female judge, Kelly Clarkson, and talked to any and everybody around her. “She [Ariana] was interacting with the fans so much and was having the cutest moments on and off camera with the coaches. She was so sweet to anyone who came up to her from the production team, as well,” said another eyewitness.
As a fan of the show, Ariana knows it is never a bad idea to bribe contestants with gifts in the hopes of getting them on their team. Kelly Clarkson usually gives her teammates #TeamKelly jackets and former coach Nick Jonas recently gave his contestants a “Nicks Notes” notebook. “Ariana also had a cute little lunchbox filled with goodies for whoever chose to be on her team,” an eyewitness said. “She was so excited to hand them out.” Another eyewitness said the Grammy-award-winner had adorable conversations with fans sitting in the audience.
This may be Ariana’s first season coaching The Voice, but she’s already playing like one of the vets. There is no doubt that contestants will have the newly-married singer’s name at the top of their coach list. One thing’s for sure, season 21 contestants will know if they’re good as hell if the Ariana Grande turns her chair for them to join #TeamAri.
