The Sing-Off has found its third celebrity judge. The NBC series, which launches its third season on September 19, 2011 at 8pm, will have a judging panel featuring Sara Bareilles, Ben Folds (of Ben Folds Five), and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men). Nick Lachey will be back as the show’s host.
Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios announced the news. “I love the fact that on this show, the judges are each so rooted in the world they preside over,” said Telegdy. “Simply put, they can do what the contestants are doing and that means a lot. Sara will bring a sublime technical knowledge and huge appreciation for The Sing-Off – she’s a fan and we’re thrilled she’s coming on board.”
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the panel of judges for The Sing-Off this fall!” said Bareilles. “A cappella music is very near and dear to my heart, and I have been a huge fan of the show from the beginning. I love the opportunity to be a part of something that celebrates a genre of music that I just adore and believe in. I can’t wait for it to start.”
The official announcement included this background info on singer/songwriter Bareilles and The Sing-Off:
“Bareilles, a three-time Grammy Award nominee, released her platinum-selling major label debut Little Voice in 2007. The album’s first single ‘Love Song,’ was a hit in 22 countries, including the Billboard Hot100. It garnered a Grammy nomination for the prestigious ‘Song Of The Year’ before going multi-platinum.
Bareilles’ album, Kaleidoscope Heart, debuted in the United States at #1 and yielded the hit single ‘King of Anything,’ which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and was certified gold by the RIAA. The video for Sara’s new single, ‘Gonna Get Over You,’ will be directed by actor/writer/producer/director Jonah Hill, marking his directorial video debut.
Bareilles is currently opening for Sugarland on their summer 2011 ‘Incredible Machine Tour,’ along with some exclusive headlining shows around the country. Bareilles isn’t a stranger to the NBC family, as she performed on the season finale of The Sing-Off last December and appeared in NBC’s 30 Rock. Earlier this year, Sara visited Japan where she traveled to Ofunato in the northern part of the country to volunteer with Allhands.org in one of the areas affected by this year’s tsunami.
While attending UCLA Bareilles was part of the a cappella group Awaken, who were her special guests on stage at her hometown Orpheum show in Los Angeles last summer. She also won UCLA’s annual Spring Sing two years running in both 2002 and 2003.
The Sing-Off scours the country in search of the best a cappella groups ranging in various sizes and ages. This year, the competition has expanded not only weekly but also to the 16 very best vocal groups who will perform chart-topping songs in a weekly competition that will culminate with a live finale revealing the grand prize winner.
The groups will be competing for America’s vote and a chance to walk away with the ultimate prize — a Sony Music recording contract and a cash prize of $100,000.
