The Voice’s run with Blake Shelton is coming to an end.
The singer’s final season as a coach for the NBC singing competition comes after 12 years and nine victories.
In October 2022, Shelton made his initial departure from the program official.
In an Instagram post, he announced his decision to leave The Voice after season 23, saying, “I’ve been fighting with this for a while. This program has improved my life, and I will always feel at home there.
“It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns,” he continued, “and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew, and catering people, you are the best.”
Shelton began season one of coaching with Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and CeeLo Green. Up to Adam Levine’s departure from the program in season 16, the Maroon 5 frontman and Shelton co-coached. Since then, other celebrities have occupied the red seats, including Nick Jonas, Shakira, and his wife, Gwen Stefani, whom he initially met on the show.
Kelly Clarkson is back as a coach in the most recent season, joining Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan, who are both new to the show.
Here is everything Shelton has said regarding his decision to leave the show as the season progresses.
More time with Gwen Stefani and their family is something he wants to do.
Shelton said he would concentrate on spending time with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and his stepsons after wrapping up his final season of NBC’s popular singing competition show in the spring.
Shelton said in his December 2022 cover story, “Gwen and I have done so much traveling, touring, and work the first half of our lives that now we’re like, Hey, I’m good to put on my sweatpants at 6 o’clock and watch Ozark eight times.” “That’s our life right now, and we love it.”
“The only thing I would risk if I left my profession at this point would be regretting losing out on the more significant aspects of life. Those are our children right now. It’s not about me anymore, and it never will be, Shelton remarked.
His main priority is his singing profession.
Shelton is taking the time to consider his next moves regarding his music career and spending quality time with his family.
“If you’re going to walk away from music, you might as well kill me. I’m not able to live without that.”
“Right now, I’m definitely at a crossroads. There is some excellent music out there, and the landscape of country music is evolving so quickly. It’s fantastic to hear the music these young people produce and how inventive they are, said Shelton, who has had a long career filled with numerous No. 1 songs.
“I like to watch what’s happening and occasionally release a tune. Another reason why I’m eager to spend some time away from The Voice and focus more on “What kind of record do I want to make?” is because of this. Does it fit the scene? Would I care? Do I care? I have a lot to work out, he declared.
He is engaged in new endeavors.
Shelton is pursuing new endeavors in addition to his music, such as his game show, Barmageddon, which he co-created with Carson Daly, the host of The Voice.
Shelton said that he’s “open” to anything that may come his way after the 2022 premiere of the program, but he’s not in a rush to schedule another work.
“Man, come on,” some folks have said to me. You’re not leaving The Voice to sit around. But I’m not lying. I’m welcoming ideas, so please, he said in jest. “I have Barmageddon, which is fun, and we can finish a season in a few weeks, and my Lands’ End apparel business. Let more family and personal time in and push some of these job things out.
He thought it was time to proceed.
In a December 2022 interview, Shelton discussed how the show had boosted his career, which made it originally tougher for him to say goodbye.
“Over the years, the problem has been that I’ve found it difficult to let go of. I’ve been here since the very beginning,” he remarked. “I had been a country performer for ten years when I first appeared on The Voice. I never reached the top echelon of country musicians until I started coaching. The show did so much more for me than I could contribute then. I’ve accomplished a lot more than I ever imagined I could in the entertainment industry.
Shelton spoke on his decision to leave The Voice in an interview with Today, noting that he initially thought about quitting in 2020.
He admitted to Daly in February 2023, “I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit.” Then, because of COVID, I didn’t want to quit the program and leave everyone in a difficult situation. This show revolutionized my life. I’ll remain here until things return to some semblance of normalcy.
“It altered my career’s course. Shelton stated that everything in my life was turned upside down when I joined this show as a coach. And for the better, you understand? Although this has been amazing, the time has come, you know. Even what comes after now is time. It would be good to get some downtime.
