# The Voice: Miley Cyrus/Alicia Keys are replacing Pharrell Williams/Christina Aguilera. It's no joke. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 28, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465 "2016-03-28T15:39:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/21 "2016-03-29T19:42:43Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > I am glad your 11 hours of dreading this came to a happy end. šŸ˜› No dreading on my part. I could care less if the Voice jumps the shark. Nearly every long running show eventually does. Unless the star pulls the plug while they still are on top. Seinfeld and Home Improvement are a couple shows that ended at the right time. I think hiring a entertainer known primarily for her shock value could be a mistake and a jump the shark moment. Time will tell. Miley is certainly capable of toning it down for tv. I said from the beginning that I think sheā€™s a performance artist. Every shocking thing sheā€™s done on stage or for the paparazzi tabloids is carefully planned to get her noticed and sell records. Wrecking Ball was a huge hit for her. Does that make her a great musician? imho No. Would I want my impressible 16 year old daughter coached and mentored by her? Probably not, it depends on the approach Miley takes next year on the show. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/22 "2016-03-29T20:11:35Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think hiring a entertainer known primarily for her shock value could be a mistake and a jump the shark moment. Oh, yesā€¦ thatā€™s why ā€œAmericaā€™s Got Talentā€ regrets hiring Howard Sternā€¦ Iā€™m sureā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/23 "2016-03-29T21:05:35Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > šŸ˜› No dreading on my part. I could care less if the Voice jumps the shark. Nearly every long running show eventually does. Unless the star pulls the plug while they still are on top. Seinfeld and Home Improvement are a couple shows that ended at the right time. > > I think hiring a entertainer known primarily for her shock value could be a mistake and a jump the shark moment. Time will tell. Miley is certainly capable of toning it down for tv. I said from the beginning that I think sheā€™s a performance artist. Every shocking thing sheā€™s done on stage or for the paparazzi tabloids is carefully planned to get her noticed and sell records. Wrecking Ball was a huge hit for her. Does that make her a great musician? imho No. Would I want my impressible 16 year old daughter coached and mentored by her? Probably not, it depends on the approach Miley takes next year on the show. I have come into this thread to see what the beef would be about. Dude, I have bit my tongue (pun intended for the Mily reference!) because: a) I donā€™t watch the show; and b) I really donā€™t care. But you really are not thinking about this correctly. Miley Cyrus is a fucking brilliant musician and manager of her own persona. The Voice is looking for people who will attract viewers while having some fact-based groundedness in the Mentors and their knowledge of Music and the Music Business. Sure, for her persona, sheā€™s a pot-stirrer from the Madonna school, which means she attracts attention and is controversial. Whatā€™s not for NBC to love? But, **aceplace** - cā€™mon, think about it. She grew up in the business. Her dad was a popstar. She had her own frikkinā€™ Disney show, and has been one of the few to successfully steer away from that into her own pop persona. She has a fine, big, technically good pop voice with a bit of grit to it. You are welcome to hate her music and her persona, but not recognizing and respecting how successfully she has navigated her career is a limited view. Again, the show is a construct, but folks like Pharrell and Gwen Stefani know their shit both musically and around the music business. So does Miley. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/24 "2016-03-29T21:25:50Z")
> [@planetcory](#): > > Youā€™re either massively overrating Alicia Keys or underrating Aguilera. Yeah, I would say Keys and Aguilera are at the same tier, it being personal taste which you like better. I personally prefer some of the growl and rawness in Aguileraā€™s vocals. I find it a little much to dismiss her as ā€œjust another pop singer.ā€ She has an interesting voice, a wide vocal range, and maybe not the most classical technique, but it works for me. Back in the Aguilera, Brittney, and Lopez days (early 2000s), she seemed to me to be clearly a league ahead of her peers. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/25 "2016-03-29T21:37:08Z")
I agree Miley knows the music business and certainly understands self promotion. She certainly shattered any lingering Hannah Montana typecasting. Like a Wrecking Ball šŸ˜‰ I didnā€™t mean to come off too harsh or judgemental. Miley is a performance artist. Just like Madonna, Gaga and many others. They put most of their focus on their public image and theatrical staging of their concerts. KISS really started that trend 45 years ago. Madonna took it even farther in the 80ā€™s. Modern performance artists like Gaga have taken it to an extreme level using social media. They sell records and have hits. But their focus is primarily on being outrageous and theatrical . They make big $$$$$ doing it. I prefer more of a balance. Where music is the focus. They can still have a great stage act too. Joan Jett for example. A really fun rocking, bad ass stage show. But I think its the music that she cares about most. I went to a couple Hank Williams jr concerts in the 90ā€™s. A rowdy country-rocking good time. He plays at least five different instruments through out his shows. Hank won performer of year several times. You can focus on music and still put on a great stage act. I guess its apples and oranges. Whatever someone prefers. I erred by being too harsh on Miley. It was not personal. I dislike her public and stage persona but have always known it was a business decision. Breaking that Hannah Montana stereotype from her younger career. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/26 "2016-03-29T21:53:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But their focus is primarily on being outrageous and theatrical I feel like some folks used to say this about David Bowie as well (heck, there was a reason the Grammyā€™s picked Gaga to do the Bowie memorial act). If the music is good, then the public persona, regardless of outrageous or theatrical, doesnā€™t particularly matter. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/27 "2016-03-29T22:15:00Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I feel like some folks used to say this about David Bowie as well (heck, there was a reason the Grammyā€™s picked Gaga to do the Bowie memorial act). If the music is good, then the public persona, regardless of outrageous or theatrical, doesnā€™t particularly matter. Screw itā€“I like a bit of theatre in my music. I mean, most of the music I listen to is straight-ahead no-nonsense, go-up-there-and-play stuff, but after seeing about a million jeans & tee-shirts alternative/indie rock bands back in the 90s, I began to appreciate bringing back some of the braggadocio and theatre into musical performances. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/28 "2016-03-29T22:58:53Z")
Wait til the OP finds out that Ariana Grande is ridiculously talented. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/29 "2016-03-29T23:05:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Screw itā€“I like a bit of theatre in my music. I mean, most of the music I listen to is straight-ahead no-nonsense, go-up-there-and-play stuff, but after seeing about a million jeans & tee-shirts alternative/indie rock bands back in the 90s, I began to appreciate bringing back some of the braggadocio and theatre into musical performances. But wouldnā€™t you agree the experience of attending a Gaga concert would be polar opposite from attending an Aretha Franklin concert? They are both entertainers and obviously sing different styles of music. But their stage act is designed totally differently too, Itā€™s intended to serve a different purpose and reflects what the entertainer feels is important. Both are successful artists but Iā€™d prefer attending Arethaā€™s show. Iā€™m not slamming performance artists. They can be entertaining if you like their shtick. KISS had their pyrotechnics. Bowie was very moody and theatrical. Almost operatic. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/30 "2016-03-29T23:18:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But wouldnā€™t you agree the experience of attending a Gaga concert would be polar opposite from attending an Aretha Franklin concert? I donā€™t know about ā€œpolar opposites.ā€ Theyā€™re both wonderful musicians, in my estimation. Gagaā€™s show would be more theatrical, I think (though I wouldnā€™t be surprised if she went through a non-theatrical phase), but I think sheā€™s got chops. Of course, Iā€™d love to see a legend like Aretha, too. But Gagaā€™s more than a solid singer, theatrics aside. You can read the vocal nerds rating of her [here](http://www.criticofmusic.com/2012/11/vocal-profile-lady-gaga.html), where they list her as an ā€œA-listā€ singer, but not a ā€œstar singer.ā€ Sheā€™s not to be underestimated. I personally think sheā€™s great. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/31 "2016-03-29T23:43:59Z")
I am the curmudeonest of the curmudgeons. And i donā€™t include GaGa in my rails against the likes of Jesse J and Nicki Minaj. GaGa is allright in my book. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/32 "2016-03-29T23:54:00Z")
I agree Gaga is the best of the current crop of musicians. Sheā€™s this generationā€™s Madonna. Christina Aguilera won the Voice of a Generation Award in 2012. There are some very good musicians out there that have hit the stages in the past 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/33 "2016-03-30T00:07:24Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I agree Gaga is the best of the current crop of musicians. Sheā€™s this generationā€™s Madonna. > > Christina Aguilera won the Voice of a Generation Award in 2012. > > There are some very good musicians out there that have hit the stages in the past 20 years. I wouldnā€™t say Gaga is the best ā€“ Beyonce might be my vote, but her tone is a little less distinctive. I never found Madonna particular outstanding as a vocalist, but she has good rangeā€“gets a bit thin in the upper register, though. And a wonderful entertainerā€“I like her music a lot, but sheā€™s not what I think of when I think of the upper echelon of singers purely as singers. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/34 "2016-03-30T00:30:03Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Wait til the OP finds out that Ariana Grande is ridiculously talented. No kidding. Maybe Jimmy Fallon has something to do with it, but these are my favorites: [Miley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mjvfnUAfyo) [Ariana](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss9ygQqqL2Q) Ariana Grande knocked it out of the park with the Christina impression. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/35 "2016-03-30T10:41:24Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I agree Miley knows the music business and certainly understands self promotion. She certainly shattered any lingering Hannah Montana typecasting. Like a Wrecking Ball šŸ˜‰ > > I didnā€™t mean to come off too harsh or judgemental. Miley is a performance artist. Just like Madonna, Gaga and many others. They put most of their focus on their public image and theatrical staging of their concerts. KISS really started that trend 45 years ago. Madonna took it even farther in the 80ā€™s. Modern performance artists like Gaga have taken it to an extreme level using social media. They sell records and have hits. But their focus is primarily on being outrageous and theatrical . They make big $$$$$ doing it. > > I prefer more of a balance. Where music is the focus. They can still have a great stage act too. Joan Jett for example. A really fun rocking, bad ass stage show. But I think its the music that she cares about most. I went to a couple Hank Williams jr concerts in the 90ā€™s. A rowdy country-rocking good time. He plays at least five different instruments through out his shows. Hank won performer of year several times. You can focus on music and still put on a great stage act. > > I guess its apples and oranges. Whatever someone prefers. I erred by being too harsh on Miley. It was not personal. I dislike her public and stage persona but have always known it was a business decision. Breaking that Hannah Montana stereotype from her younger career. There ya go. Thereā€™s a big difference between ā€œI hate what she does, but I can see why she would be viewed as an experience, knowledgable Mentor on a show like this.ā€ As for your preferences, hey, whatever works. All musicians have a persona - and with many, really, thatā€™s all they have. Miley Cyrus isnā€™t like that, even if her persona is distracting. Part of the game. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/36 "2016-03-30T11:02:40Z")
Personally I get annoyed by will.i.am as a judge on the UK version of The Voice - heā€™s at best a mediocre coach and canā€™t really sing, yet the other three more talented judges have all been changed - sometimes more than once - and he remains\*. And he remains because heā€™s a babbling weirdo who makes entertaining television. And, above all, these shows are **television shows** , not an actual audition process for a rising star (as evidenced by the fact that you never hear from any of the winners ever). Television shows are about telelvison ratings. Miley Cyrus will get people watching. As long as she doesnā€™t drive people away, itā€™s all money in the bank for the show. \*although apparently heā€™s leaving when the show moves to ITV next series, as is Ricky Wilson. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/37 "2016-03-30T17:35:29Z")
Miley, all about the shock value, yes - why, i remember when she was prancing about in chaps and underwearā€¦ [Oh, wait](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rg3sAb8Id8)ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2016, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/38 "2016-03-31T10:23:56Z")
I became a big fan of Miley Cyrus when I heard her cover Paul Simonā€™s ā€œ50 ways to leave your loverā€ on the SNL 40th anniversary show. I then stumbled into a bunch of her videos on Youtube where she covers slightly older classics in a stripped down setting called ā€œBackyard Sessionsā€. No theatrics at all. Just a bunch of musicians actually playing music in a backyard. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/39 "2016-04-01T01:33:57Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Miley was the guest adviser for all the acts in tonights knock outs. She did better than I expected. Seemed really interested in helping these young artists. Quite a nice introduction to Miley and what she can bring to the show. Did she keep her clothes on? 'Cuz if she did, Iā€™m not interested. šŸ˜‰ Actually, I was also surprised by her chops on that SNL 40 show. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2016, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465/40 "2016-04-01T10:41:56Z")
Miley Cyrus is a great singer, and she used her antics to break out of the Disney mode and become a real artist. Listen to these: [Jolene](http://youtu.be/wOwblaKmyVw) [Look What Theyā€™ve Done to My Song](http://youtu.be/aSpkaBeZckY) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-miley-cyrus-alicia-keys-are-replacing-pharrell-williams-christina-aguilera-its-no-joke/750465.md?page=3)