barnesgonzo: Usher On His New 'Voice' Gig: 'I Love Being A Mentor'

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Usher On His New 'Voice' Gig: 'I Love Being A Mentor'

'It's the type of show that I feel really sets up an artist,' he tells MTV News at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.
By Kara Warner

Usher
Photo: MTV News

LAS VEGAS — Being a judge on a reality singing competition is so hot right now. The latest A-list industry names to be attached to said shows are Usher and Shakira for "The Voice," as well as Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban for "American Idol."

MTV News was lucky enough to catch up to new judge Usher in Las Vegas on Friday night, ahead of his show-stopping set with special guest Swedish House Mafia at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, to ask him for his thoughts about signing up for the gig and what we might expect from him as a judge in those swivel chairs.

"Man, you have no idea," Usher said with a wink and a smile.

We then asked whether he'd had a chance to speak with his future "co-stars," current judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, and what it is about "The Voice" that has him wanting to be a part of it.

"I have not spoken to Adam and Blake. I have not spoken to anyone with regards to [the show]. It's still new news, but I'm really excited about it," he said. "It's the type of show that I feel really sets up an artist and makes it about what matters most first: the voice. Everything else comes afterwards in terms of the mentors; that's what gives the personality, gives the opportunity to be an artist who will excel and transcend culture and also be able to tell an incredible story in music. So I like being able to be at that place. I love being a mentor."

Usher has also been doing some homework already, as he was well aware of Avery Wilson, the 16-year-old standout who captivated all four judges with his impressive spin on "Without You" on last week's show.

"Yeah, this one guy who, it kind of worked out in terms of what [he did]," Usher said, adding that he hopes to be around to help a future contestant achieve the same success with either an audition or performance. "[I] might be able to help do it again, huh?"

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