In its fourth season, the singing competition The Voice finally eclipsed the ratings of rival American Idol, and one of its new editions thinks she knows why.

Colombian singer Shakira spoke to Oprah Winfrey on the June 2 episode of Oprah's Next Chapter. She believed the convivial relationship between herself and her fellow judges is the reason why fans keep tuning in.

"I do feel that there is a special chemistry between us four," the singer said. "We just have fun and I think that translates into the audience. It's very genuine. Whatever you see on TV, it's exactly what's happening."

When Winfrey asked if any interactions between the judges are scripted, the singer insisted nothing was because "we get along." Shakira went on to compare the process of getting their singers to the top, to playing a game of Monopoly.

"When you get together with your friends and you play some Monopoly, that's what it is like," the singer said. "There is the competitiveness and all of that, but at the end of the day, we're here because we want to have a good time and we enjoy what we're doing."

The singer also opened up about motherhood and her reactions to the birth of her first child. Shakira gave birth to son Milan in January and said in the beginning she was "a little bit more confused."

"It wasn't as idyllic as I thought it would be, like, the first month," she said. "First of all you deliver a kid, you see yourself in the mirror, and you're like 'Uh-oh, I look like a shar pei.'"

The singer said she had to face down internal questions about work and getting back down to her previous weight, which she had no answers for because "absolutely no one prepared you for that." Still, she told Oprah that the new job with The Voice helped her regain equilibrium in her life.

"When I came back to the Voice set," the singer said, she started "being normal" again.

"Everything came together in my mind, and I'm like, okay, this is not bad. I love to be a mom and also to be able to do something for myself. I can do both things pretty well so far."

Watch Shakira talk The Voice and motherhood on Oprah's Next Chapter.

Tags: Shakira The Voice the voice season 4