Keith, Rita, Guy and Jess: The Voice Australia judges revealed

Channel 7 has finally revealed the performers who will act as judges on the upcoming season of The Voice. 

Next year, the spinning red chairs will be occupied by country superstar Keith Urban, international pop star Rita Ora, and local giants – and former reality TV contestants themselves – Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy.

Just yesterday it was revealed Mauboy was defecting to Warner Music Australia after a 14-year relationship with rival Sony Music Australia.

Last year, the show was on Channel 9, and was judged by international stars Boy George and Kelly Rowland, alongside Aussie heavyweights Sebastian and Delta Goodrem.

Sebastian is the only star to survive the network transition, and he said the evolution of The Voice in 2021 is “genuinely exciting”.

“I am so happy to be working alongside these amazing coaches. I have known Jess for a long time, I am a huge admirer of Keith and Rita is a great talent. I really feel like this panel will genuinely nurture a new generation of artists,” he said.

New recruit, and newly signed, Mauboy, added: “I’m so proud of the talent that exists in this country. I know firsthand exactly how life-changing a show like this can be, so I’m honoured to be part of such an experienced team of coaches and I’m looking forward to some amazing chair-turning moments.”

Urban has also appeared on the show before, way back in season one in 2011, then alongside Goodrem, Seal and Joel Madden. He said the stars have finally aligned again.

“Ten years after spinning in the first season, and just before getting back on stage around the world, I’ve been invited back alongside a very cool and musically diverse panel,” he said.

Ora is no stranger to television, and has been a judge on The X Factor UK, as well as The Masked Singer. She also hosted America’s Next Top Model, and sat in the red chair for The Voice UK.

“I love The Voice and I absolutely adore Australia so this is a match made in heaven. Having been a coach on the UK series, I know just how powerful it can be in making dreams come true. I can’t wait to find Australia’s next superstar,” she added.

Next year will be the 10th iteration of the show and will feature “surprising new elements, plus the strongest ever line-up of artists competing to be crowned the winner”, Channel 7 said.

It will be hosted by Sonia Kruger.

Names such as Tones and I and Ricki-Lee, and Kylie Minogue and Urban had been bandied around as potential hosts.

Channel 7 will also broadcast Australian Idol in 2022, however the talent lineup has not been revealed.