Snakkle Gets the Scoop on Duets from John Legend, Robin Thicke, Jennifer Nettles, and Quddus
There are so many reality singing competitions on network television, but ABC’s newest one, Duets, is a completely different look for them—or any network. Rather than simply sitting back and offering commentary, the established musical mentors also take the stage with their contestants. The revolutionary idea got Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Robin Thicke, and Jennifer Nettles to sign up, and now they’ve told Snakkle why—and why you should get on board with watching, too. By Danielle TurchianoNone of these artists are at the point in their careers where they need “comebacks,” so the exciting thing for them was not only getting to nurture and mentor new, young talent, but also to be able to challenge themselves musically and open themselves up to a whole new audience as well.
“TV is a huge opportunity to be seen in Middle America or all of these other places where I don’t really tour,” shared Thicke, who pointed out he has only had one song on the pop charts. “When they told me I’d be singing—I didn’t even really know there’d be any judging involved; the first pitch they gave me was ‘Oh, you’re going to be singing on every episode.’ And hey, I love to sing; I love to make music; so it seemed an easy decision to make.”
Duets takes the superstar professionals and pairs them up with amateurs, having them perform a duet live onstage for each other and the audience to ultimately critique and decide who moves on. This alone sets the show apart from other reality singing competitions but offered a new way for those seemingly on top of their game to grow.
Nettles, who performs regularly in a duo, noted that duets have “specific structure, as well as harmonies. People take different leads at different times [and] there’s a different structure to them from when we write” for a lead singer. Her strategy, then, is to “be super collaborative and super trusting” that the two on her team each know their own voices well enough to know where they would best fit in the songs from week to week.
It’s a strategy that just about every professional claimed to utilize. As Legend put it: “My job is to make them shine, really. I already have a record deal; I’m already successful! I want them to shine as much as possible, so I always give them the melody.… I want them to really be in a position to really impress the judges.”
In addition to the “amazing performances” and “dynamic between the superstars and their teams,” series host Quddus, who says he acts more as “the big brother” to the contestants, shared that one of the audience’s favorite parts of the show is sure to be the candid side to these talents they’ve only seen polished and performing onstage before. Duets gives the aforementioned four a chance to let their hair down, so to speak, and have fun with each other and their chosen profession.
“Robin Thicke has been very shocking and surprising,” said Quddus. “He’s a very entertaining gentleman. He has a tendency of saying things that you don’t expect him to, and I really thoroughly enjoy it.”
Regarding Nettles, Quddus added that she is “one of the most genuine and talented people in the business,” and he was excited for more of mainstream America to get to know her as well as those die-hard country fans do.
“And you’ll get to see a lot more of John on the show [too],” he pointed out. “I think he’s been kind of a mystery to people; he’s a pretty cool guy, reserved guy, but he lets the freak flag fly on the show!… And Kelly, she has a mean competitive side to her! There have been a couple of times she’s been ready to throw down.”
Duets will premiere on ABC on May 24, 2012, at 8 p.m.
August 03, 2012 at 2:19 am, Bram said:
Jessica was amazing on Idol, that’s for sure!Like you, I have no idea how I would ever fit in more shows, but with the magic of DVR, the seosan finale of Ice loves Coco and The Voice, I think I an manage one or two more! I am very intrigued to see how these new judges do Howard and America’s Got Talent starts this Monday (just in case you do have room to tape it)!