“The Voice: Celebrity” has reportedly encountered an unexpected production problem before its first season has even reached television. Singer and social-media star Bella Poarch is said to have withdrawn from the celebrity competition after already completing the Blind Auditions.
The special edition will serve as Season 31 of “The Voice” and is scheduled to premiere in 2027. Instead of undiscovered singers, the competition will feature celebrities from entertainment, music, sports, comedy, social media and reality television.
According to a report citing an unnamed production insider, Poarch had been selected as one of the celebrity contestants and successfully advanced through her Blind Audition. However, she reportedly left the show only days before filming of the Battle Rounds began.
The timing reportedly created an immediate challenge for producers. Because contestants had already been divided among the Coaches, losing one Artist meant production needed to adjust the teams before the next stage could proceed.
The report described the situation behind the scenes as “chaos,” with producers having to quickly determine how to keep the competition properly balanced. Exactly how the format was adjusted following Poarch’s departure has not been publicly revealed.
Most importantly, the reason for her reported withdrawal remains unknown. Poarch has not publicly explained why she stepped away, and NBC has not officially confirmed the circumstances surrounding her exit.
Poarch, 29, became internationally famous through TikTok in 2020 after one of her lip-sync videos became one of the platform’s most popular posts. She later turned that enormous online audience into a recording career.
She signed with Warner Records and released her breakout single “Build a B***h” in 2021. She followed it with additional music, collaborations and her 2022 EP “Dolls,” establishing herself as more than simply a social-media personality.
Her reported participation would have given viewers an opportunity to see how her voice handled the unusual pressure of “The Voice.” Unlike a traditional concert performance, the competition requires Artists to survive Blind Auditions, coaching sessions and head-to-head rounds.
“The Voice: Celebrity” itself represents one of the biggest experiments in the franchise’s history. Keke Palmer will host the special edition, while Queen Latifah, Riley Green and Joe Jonas will occupy the three coaching chairs.
NBC has also announced several new behind-the-scenes elements for the celebrity format, including Voice Boot Camp, a VIP Room and a Workroom. These additions are designed to show more of the celebrities preparing, watching one another and strategizing throughout the competition.
For now, Poarch’s departure should be treated as a reported behind-the-scenes development rather than an officially confirmed storyline, since NBC has not announced the celebrity contestants. What is clear is that production on “The Voice: Celebrity” is underway, and if the report is accurate, producers have already faced an unexpected challenge long before viewers see the new format in 2027.
