Christina Aguilera plans to leave 'The Voice'

Pop singer wants to return to making music next year

While NBC's hit music competition The Voice heads underway for its third season, it appears that producers may have to begin searching for a replacement judge in later seasons as Christina Aguilera is planning on leaving the show at the end of this season.

According to MTV News, the singer wants to leave the show in order to return to her own music career. Her season four hiatus is the solution.

"It's taking me away from my heart, which is creating my own music," Aguilera said. "t's been a joy to be a part of other people's journey, to be able to inspire and be a part of new singers coming up in this business."

Her departure for Season 4 may come at a good time for the show. Monday night's ratings for the show were down, likely due to competition from Monday's NFL kickoff. Bringing in a fresh face to the show could boost usher in more viewership. Ratings from the show's post Super Bowl premiere were down 39 percent.

According to Ace Showbiz, the singer was concerned that the show was taking up so much time that the singer feared she may never get back to her music making lifestyle.

"I was starting to get really worried and concerned that I wouldn't have the time to go and be an artist again," Aguilera said.

NBC's The Voice continues tonight as its three-day audition premiere kicks off the upcoming fall season.