Christina Aguilera Could Snag $12 Million for 'Voice' Return

May 14, 2013 9:50 AM EDT

Kevin Mazur/WireImage for TIME Christina Aguilera performs at the TIME 100 Gala, TIME'S 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2013 in New York City.

Christina Aguilera is in talks to return to "The Voice," a source close to the singer tells The Hollywood Reporter.

A source says Aguilera's payday is likely to be in the vicinity of $12 million.

The Mark Burnett-produced NBC singing competition first featured Aguilera in its inaugural run along with seasons two and three. She then took a one-term break and may return for season five.

Although The Voice has seen a slight dip in ratings this year -- a special May 8 episode notched a 2.7 among adults, a low for the series excluding recaps, but it was still enough to beat American Idol head-on in its first hour -- the buzz on new coaches Shakira and Usher has been overwhelmingly positive, which certainly can’t be said for Idol.

Aguilera’s return is not unexpected. Burnett told THR last summer that artists of such stature (Adam Levine and Blake Shelton fill out the panel this season; Cee Lo Green was among the original foursome) have other musical commitments that could see them take extended breaks from the show’s big red chairs. “These are current touring artists, so it’s a matter of balancing schedules,” he said. “They’re all in demand and we’re just balancing it all.”

In revealing its 2013-14 schedule Sunday, the network announced that The Voice will keep the same two-hour block on Mondays, though Tuesday's one-hour episode has shifted to 9 p.m.

NBC had no comment.