[TWEET] @THEREALXTINA: '#THEVOICE ELIMINATION NIGHT WAS REALLY TOUGH. @IAMMOSESSTONE & @SERAHILLSINGS...'

#TheVoice elimination night was really tough. @IamMosesStone & @SeraHillSings - I know I'll be seeing you again! You're forever #TeamXtina

— Christina Aguilera (@TheRealXtina) April 4, 2012

[NEWS] CHRISTINA AGUILERA: REALITY TV'S BEST JUDGE (SURPRISINGLY!)

Last season on The Voice, Christina Aguilera personified the Hot Mess. Joining the show shortly after divorcing husband Jordan Bratman — and amid reports of her hard-partying ways, which led to her arrest for public intoxication in March of 2011 — Aguilera was a mentor more “Dirrty” than “Beautiful." Her season 1 ill-fitting wardrobe was just the start of it — the singer also seemed bored with her new role on reality TV and not entirely committed to mentoring her eager contestants. Her comebacks to Adam Levine’s barbs were typically awkward, and her self-promotion tactics went into overdrive. Yes, Beverly McClellan’s “Beautiful” duet with Aguilera was fittingly gorgeous… but it was also a cover of “Beautiful.” Why push your music on a series you're already headlining?

But what a difference six months make. Sure, Aguilera’s wardrobe has yet to completely redeem itself — though her high-collared shirts last night were a definite improvement over her Battle Round Barbarella-meets-Royal Wedding look — but the singer sure has. Over the course of season 2, Aguilera has managed to turn herself into the reality series’ most valuable mentor. Not only have her Levine-directed insults become sharper, but her passion during the blind auditions also allowed her to lock in some of the buzziest contestants. (See: Current frontrunner Jesse Campbell.) And she’s already proved she’s guiding her team on a successful path: The singer was spot-on when she warned contestants during the blind auditions that she would have more time to commit than busy countryman Blake Shelton — Aguilera’s song suggestions for her team last night were far fresher and more fitting for each contestant. (Seth and Amy say, really Blake Shelton? “Livin’ On a Prayer,” “Alone,” and “Living for the City” for your team? American Idol called — it wants its season 3 material back.)

Perhaps more impressively, during last night’s first live show, Aguilera officially established herself as the only useful talent judge left on popular reality TV. Following Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul’s Idol exit, the Fox singing series has been weighed down by three judges seemingly incapable of critiquing contestants, no matter how much they butcher Adele. (I know — it seems mean to shoot Eben Franckewitz when he’s down, but dear God, boy.) And, so far this season, The Voice’s panel has been guilty of the same crime — until Aguilera finally called out Naia Kete for her thin cover of Adele’s “Turning Tables.” Can we give her a round of applause for finally channeling that honest voice within?

Now, don’t get me wrong: There’s still enough mess in the much-hotter Aguilera to keep her entertaining. The aforementioned wardrobe that dangerously borders on malfunction, the hilarious stage mom instincts that lead her to mimic her contestants’ dance moves from her spinning chair, etc. But her actions on this season of The Voice have also reminded us that the girl’s damn talented — not only does she know how to bring out the best in other singers, but she allows her singers to bring out the best in her. One of my favorite moments of this season remains Aguilera’s impromptu duet with Sera Hill — there’s no doubt that Alpha Aguilera saw this as an opportunity to prove her vocal dominance, but it was a moment as sweet as it was calculated. Would Cee Lo turn away from Erin Martin’s legs long enough to be inspired by the most talented on his team? Purrfect says “No no no.”

So let’s applaud Aguilera for her work thus far on season 2 of The Voice — it was about time for her arrival. And NBC should be sending her one big fruit basket to wear on her head: Her commitment to the series makes it that much harder for TV fans to throw in the towel when it comes to The Voice. Even this dedicated Idol fan has fully embraced being blasphemous by throwing her UFO hat into the series. So, please, Aguilera: Continue delivering good TV and quality reality show judging — how refreshing it’s been to see you rub us Voice fans the right way. Wait, is that gross?

Who else is loving Aguilera this season?

Source: Hollywood

[TWEET] @THEREALXTINA: '2 MORE STRONG PERFORMANCES FROM #TEAMXTINA TONIGHT...'

[NEWS] #TEAMXTINA'S SERA HILL SAYS PERFORMING WITH CHRISTINA WAS A 'DREAM COME TRUE'

The Voice contestant Sera Hill has said that performing with Christina Aguilera was a “dream come true”.

The hotel worker had just finished her blind audition performance of Mary J Blige’s ‘I’m Going Down’ when Aguilera, who had turned her chair around and become her mentor, said she felt inspired to join her on stage.

Aguilera and Hill then sang a few lines of ‘I’m Going Down’ together for the audience and fellow coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green.

Speaking to reporters this week, Hill said: “That was unbelievable. She is my idol, she is an icon, and I wasn’t expecting it.

“I was just trying not to trip and fall and sing the notes right! Christina singing with me was just an added bonus and so very, very surreal. It was a dream come true, absolutely.”

Hill said that she had no idea Aguilera only had one spot left on her season two team when she took to the stage, although she did know she was one of the last contestants to audition.

“I was hoping I would actually get to audition,” she said. “I was one of the last people to go and was like, ‘Oh, gosh, what if all the teams are full and no-one picks me?’ The fact Christina turned around and liked ‘I’m Going Down’ was just amazing.

“It helps me bring back the real soul and music I always loved. She is the best role model for that.”

As for what she is expecting from the upcoming battle rounds, she said: “I’m excited and I’m just looking forward to seeing what Christina has in mind for the battle rounds and how she pairs the teams up.”

She added: “Everyone is so incredible and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with and do my best with it.”

Source: DigitalSpy
Credits: MissXtinaNet

[VIDEO] #TEAMXTINA'S SERA HILL'S 'I'M GOING DOWN' FULL BLIND AUDITION SEGMENT

[SMART-PHONE FRIENDLY]

[NEWS] CARSON DALY RECAPS EPISODE 5 OF 'THE VOICE' AND REVEALS CHRISTINA AND SERA'S MOMENT WAS COMPLETELY IMPROMPTU

I really enjoyed last night’s episode. The theme now is prepare for battle! If the blind auditions are about falling in love with artists, the battle rounds are about earning your respect and earning your keep. It’s one of the things we really liked about this format, and it’s one of the things that’s really risky, too. America’s in love with the blind auditions, but all of a sudden there’s an evolution here, and we’re switching gears next week. Watch a sneak peek of the battle rounds. But last night was about filling up the team, and although the coaches were still very picky, there was some really great talent.

I loved how the show opened with Whitney Myer. I love her story. She tours with her family, and it’s like the 1970s in her world, like the Brady Bunch. But more importantly, I really liked her voice a lot. I thought she was really a strong artist, and got the show off to a great start.

I think the Shields brothers are a good example of Cee Lo proving time and time again that success in music is as much about talent as it is entertainment. Cee Lo is definitely the most business savvy of all of our coaches. Cee Lo sees more than just a good voice. He’s already a step ahead; he’s looking to who’s marketable, who can put butts in seats, if you will, and that’s the way an entrepreneur thinks. You’ve got to entertain a crowd, and you’ve got to put on a show. He looks at the Shields brothers like he does Tony Vincent, as artists that could really be entertaining, which is an equally important weapon to have in your team of 12.

One of my favorite artists last night was Lex Land, who’s actually been on my late night show before. I saw her at South by Southwest several years ago and my staff and I loved her so much. She was really nervous and gave sort of a lackluster performance — she almost didn’t sound good at points — and I know that she’s capable of more, but she still got 3 out of the 4 chairs to turn around. She’s an exciting artist to watch and it’ll be fun to see her battle. That was a real highlight.

With Cameron Novack, I think the coaches made the right call. There was this talk about “Can we break the rules?” but as Cee Lo said, it jeopardizes the integrity of the whole show. The coaches are going to have regrets, and Cameron was Cee Lo’s regret. Cameron seemed to be a lightning rod on Twitter. People wrote to me, “I loved him in an Adam Lambert way!” or they said, “Absolutely not.” I got no gray area on Cameron.

I liked Wade’s version of “Rehab.” I like it when our artists give us their own take on a song. Wade is a student of music, as we learned, and he showed great respect for old school music and the Marvin Gayes of the world. He showed originality, he paid homage to the music that he loves most, and he showed so much talent and range. Really, that was a smart move by him. And he looked like a mini Cee Lo! They had a little brother, big brother thing going on, and their immediate affection for one another was contagious.

I really loved Sera Hill. I liked how the show closed with her, and I loved her personality. When Christina came out on stage, Sera looked as surprised as Taylor Swift looked the very first time she won an award. And when Christina kissed her on stage, she was just trying to hold on to the kiss, grabbing it out of thin air. A couple people asked me last night whether Christina’s performance was planned. The truth is, there are microphones around those coaches at all times if they ever feel inspired to get up and sing. What you saw there was an impromptu jam moment, which is the most fun to witness, just to see the look on Sera’s face. It’s one thing for her to be on Christina’s team, but it’s another for your coach to immediately want to sing with you. That was a really great moment and a looking glass into how, when the show is firing on all cylinders, it provides moments like that.

There was a lot of concern about my well-being after Adley Stump’s mother jumped on me, literally, leaped across the room, like a scene from Black Swan. This was like my audition for Dancing With the Non-Stars. But I caught her, because safety first, Mrs. Stump. Everybody asked, “Are you okay!?” and I want America to know that I am very strong and I proved it last night. I am recuperating!

Another thing I want to mention that America will be thrilled about in the battle rounds is… new wardrobe for all the coaches! What Purrfect the Cat was for conversation during the blind auditions, Christina Aguilera’s compact-disc hat will be for the battle rounds.

What people are watching throughout The Voice is a snapshot into what the music business used to be able to do well and just doesn’t do anymore. There is a process to music: There is a discovery process, there is a mentoring process, and then there is a “let’s see how far your dove can fly” process. Those are the three pillars of real A&R, and this is how the process happens. And there’s a fight in it all, and the fight is the battle rounds. The battles are in the ring and they’re ferocious. The coaches want to enter the live shows with the most diverse teams that they can get. It’s like Gladiator: Win the crowd, win your freedom. It’s been about building these teams, and now it’s about fighting to stay on them.

Source: EW

[TWEET] @THEREALXTINA: '#TEAMXTINA IS COMPLETE! LEE & SERA WERE THE PERFECT...'

[VIDEO] CHRISTINA AGUILERA BELTS 'I'M GOING DOWN' WITH A BLIND AUDITIONER

[SMART-PHONE FRIENDLY]
In this clip from the next episode of The Voice, Sera Hill's blind audition goes so well that judge Christina Aguilera feels compelled to join her on stage for an impromptu run through the Mary J. Blige classic "I'm Goin' Down." Hill is obviously a lock for the show, but tune in on Monday night to find out whether she chose Aguilera as her coach.

Source: RollingStone