'The Voice' PH denies Lea hosting show

By on 7:57 PM

MANILA, Philippines -- The production team behind the local version of the hit reality singing competition "The Voice" has denied that international performer Lea Salonga will be hosting the upcoming Kapamilya show.

According to the business unit behind "The Voice" Philippines, there is still no final set of judges, and negotiations are still ongoing.

This is referring to the supposed involvement of Tony Award-winning performer and Filipino pride Lea Salonga as the host of the show as reported in an article published Tuesday on The Philippine Star.
Actress-singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, who was also pointed to be among the coaches on "The Voice" in the same report, is not yet confirmed to be part of the singing competition.

Along with Salonga, "Pinoy Big Brother" alumnus Robi Domingo and actress-singer Toni Gonzaga have been previously reported to be hosting the Philippine edition of "The Voice."

Auditions for the show are already underway, however, as Filipino hopefuls based in the United States have been screened in September.

Echoing the vision behind the unique twist of the original show -- the Blind Auditions, where coaches screen hopefuls with their backs against them --  director Lauren Dyogi said: "[We are looking for] somebody who has an exceptional voice."

"Compared to the other formats that we have, ‘X-Factor’ and ‘Pilipinas Got Talent,’ ‘The Voice’ is clearly about someone who has an exceptional singing voice," he added.

In the US, where it airs on NBC, the third season of "The Voice" is now said to be the No. 1 singing competition.

It is hosted by former MTV personality Carson Daly, and features as coach-judges popstar Christina Aguilera, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, soul and R&B singer Cee Lo Green, and country musician Blake Shelton.