The Voice Is Being Slammed by a Former Celebrity Judge

Christina Aguilera is back in the public eye with promotions for the lead single, “Accelerate,” off her first album in six years, Liberation. The pop star’s cover story with Billboard dropped on Thursday, and it became clear during the interview that there’s at least one reason why she chose to call her album Liberation — and it has to do withThe Voice.

More:Now We Know What Christina Aguilera Was Teasing in Those Cryptic Videos

“It became something that I didn’t feel was what I had signed up for in season one,” she told the music magazine. “You realize it’s not about music. It’s about making good TV moments and massaging a story.”

Aguilera says she also found the show strict and constricting. “I didn’t get into this business to be a television show host and to be given all these [rules]. Especially as a female: You can’t wear this, can’t say that. I would find myself on that show desperately trying to express myself through clothing or makeup or hair. It was my only kind of outlet.”

More:Why This New Era of Christina Aguilera Is Going to Be So Powerful

She also explained why she stayed on the show for as long as she did despite having such a negative experience. “Touring is so frightening to me, because I am a mom first,” she admits. “It’s part of why I stayed in the position I was [at The Voice]. It’s easy to get comfortable and cushy in the same place and not have to worry about uprooting your kids. I’ve been putting myself on the back burner.”

Aguilera has talked about leaving The Voice before, but never so candidly. In 2012, she told E! News the decision to go was bittersweet and that she enjoyed being a coach and bonding with the other coaches. But she also said she needed to go out and have new experiences as an artist.

More:Christina Aguilera Is Working on Something New With a Fellow Former Disney Star

At the time of publication, Aguilera’s former co-judges on The Voice have yet to comment. But one thing’s clear regardless: Aguilera is free from any and all things that make her unhappy, and she’s not looking back.