Benji adds his Voice to panel
Benji Madden says it’s getting serious on The Voice this year, as he joins his brother Joel in a special double judges’ chair alongside fellow new recruit and British superstar Jessie J.
Ricky Martin and Delta Goodrem are also returning as judges to the talent show, which begins on Sunday night, to fight over what Benji promises is “incredible talent”.
“Joel’s said it to me a few times, he feels like the show is a little more serious this year and I think it has something to do with the fact that it’s season four,” Benji toldAAA .
“Everyone coming on to the show knows how it works and we’re really here to find that talent, that voice, and Jessie is really bringing a lot of the fire to the show. I think Australia’s going to really fall in love with her.”
It’s the fourth season for Joel — the only judge to have appeared in all four seasons — and Benji’s first, after the pair joined forces on The Voice Kids last year.
“I think the double chair is kinda fun for people because me and Joel have our dynamic and we never know what’s going to come from the other,” Benji said.
The brothers are no strangers to working together, having started pop-punk band Good Charlotte as 15-year-olds, so Benji says they will “keep it real” on the Nine show.
“We have our arguments, I think that everybody has gotten to know us pretty well in Australia,” he said.
The brothers will fly back and forth between Australia, which they refer to as their “second home” and LA, where they have projects on the go, including working on the next album for Aussie boy band 5 Seconds of Summer.
It’s an arrangement that Benji admits isn’t ideal as a newlywed — having tied the knot with Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz six months ago — but one that’s worth doing for The Voice.
“I’m sure it’s hard for anybody to leave their wife,” he said.
“Home is a really happy place for me but to get to be part of such a great cast of talent and such a great show, it’s a lot of fun.”
