NEWS

Christina Aguilera On Leaving 'The Voice': I'm an Artist First

By:OK! Staff

Sept. 22 2012, Published 1:00 p.m. ET

Christina Aguilera, as we all know, has decided to leave The Voice after season 3. The popstar (who has an amazing voice of her own) wants to focus on her music, but says she will definitely miss the behind-the-scenes antics with co-stars Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green, who is also departing after this season.

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"When me and Adam are on breaks backstage, you know, we're writing profanity with my red lipstick all over Blake's trailer while he's napping inside," Christina told E! News. "It's like we have definitely become like brother and sister. We goof around and play around. I'm going to miss it."

But Christina realizes that although she still possesses the voice that made her famous, her credibility as a coach could waver if she doesn't stay relevant. "In order to be the best coach I can be on that show is to go out and be able to have the experience as an artist," she said. "Create new experiences for myself so that I can then come back to the show and share that much more."

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So, yes, Christina plans on returning, even though replacements for herself and Cee Lo (Shakira and Usher) have been decided upon. She calls leaving "bittersweet," but says, "I have to feel creatively fulfilled in order for me to then do my job as a coach and be on that show." And apparently producer Mark Burnett is in total agreement — the two have already discussed the possibility of Christina coming back. "He understands that we're artists first," she says.