After being on The Voice for 22 seasons, fans are asking: Why is Blake Shelton leaving The Voice?
Shelton joinedThe Voice as a coach in season 1 in 2011 alongside Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green. He is the last original judge on the NBC reality TV singing competition after Green’s exit in 2013, Aguilera’s exit in 2016 and Levine’s exit in 2019. Currently, season 22 is airing on NBC and has a lineup of Shelton, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Camila Cabello. Throughout Shelton’s tenure, the show has welcomed the likes of Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Pharrell Williams, Usher and Shakira.
In an Instagram statement, the “No Body” singer announced his departure from the iconic singing show. “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from ‘The Voice’ after season 23,” Shelton wrote. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.” Read below on why Blake Shelton is leaving The Voice.
Why is Blake Shelton leaving The Voice?
Image: Getty Images
Why is Blake Shelton leaving The Voice? He continued his statement on his Instagram, “It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns 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 said. “It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani! I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers — the ‘Voices’ who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach. Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at The Voice chasing their dreams. It wouldn’t happen without you!” Shelton’s last season will be aired in the spring of 2023 where Niall Horan and Chance The Rapper will also take a seat in the famous red chairs, and Kelly Clarkson will return after a hiatus from the show.
A source told Us Weekly that Shelton has been torn about leaving the longtime singing contest. “He was in two minds for a while because the show has given him so much — and certainly way more than just a financial perspective,” the insider said while expanding that he “loved mentoring these upcoming performers.” The insider added that the “God’s Country” singer“made some great friends along the way” while coaching the show and it has “helped him see the good side about living and working in Hollywood after so many years [of being] based in the south.”
The insider continued, “Getting to work alongside his best friend Carson [Daly] and then, of course, Gwen was the icing on the cake,” was the reason why Shelton stayed for so long. “But nowthe show’s moving in a new direction without Gwen and others so it felt right for Blake to bow out as well.” He then “knew it was time to leave the show and needed to move on.” According to the insider, Shelton wants to spend time with Gwen’s three kids, Kingston, 16, Zuma, 14, and Apollo, 8. “Gwen’s kids are becoming older, and their school breaks are becoming longer which allows for the family to spend longer periods of time in Oklahoma.”
Though he didn’t directly state his reason for leaving, Shelton has been hinting at it for a while. In a 2021 interview with hosts Hoda and Jenna on the TODAYshow, Shelton, 44, opened up about his engagement at the time with former Voicecoach and his wife, Gwen Stefani, 51, while hinting at what their upcoming nuptials could mean for his time on the NBC talent series. The “God’s Country” singer revealed that he would like to see himself settling down with his fiancée “sooner than later” when asked about his plans for the future, leading some fans to think of his possible exit from the series.
Hoda asked Shelton, “Do you picture yourself in ten years, you and Gwen, just out in Oklahoma, not jetting all over the place? Do you see yourself living a much simpler life way way down the road?” The country star admitted that he’s hoping for that lifestyle even sooner than the host suggested: “I hope that’s not too far down the road. Ten years sounds like way too long for me,” he said, “I’d like to see that sooner than later.”
In an interview withPeoplein May 2021, Shelton opened up about howThe Voice changed his career. “When I started the show, I had been making records for 10 years with some success and some pitfalls,” he said at the time. “There were times where it was like, ‘Man, is my label gonna drop me?’ Then we’d have another okay hit on country radio. I was just hanging in there. The one thing I think attracted the producers to me was the fact that people knew me as a smart-ass, but in a fun way.” He continued, “To be honest, I didn’t think the show was gonna last. In fact, one of the first conversations I ever had with Adam was, ‘Man, how stupid is this?’”
In late 2021, Blake got entangled in rumors that he was going to be fired from the show in favor of a younger judge, Ariana Grande.In September 2021,Radar Onlinereported that NBC planned to replace Shelton as a coach onThe VoicewithAriana Grande, who joined the show in season 21, and other younger singers. “Current top ten artists like Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Weeknd, were all hesitant about starring on a competition show before Ariana Grande signed on,” a source told the site. “After a decade on the show, producer as quietly looking to replace Blake with someone younger and more current. Blake is great but he is not in Ariana’s league.”
An anonymous agent also claimed that the decision to hire Grande was to makeThe Voiceappeal to younger viewers.“It is time for a shake-up. The only way the show remains fresh is by constantly evolving. Huge stars that wouldn’t even consider joining the show a few months ago are now thinking again, thanks to Ariana,” the source said.
Shelton responded to the rumors in an Instagram posted by Grande in September 2021. In the Instagram post, Grande included a screenshot of a text between her and Shelton, in which the country singer shared an article about his rumored firing. “Thanks a lot Ari…Thanks a fuckin’ lot…,” he texted to her.
In the 10th anniversary episode of The Voice, Blake gushed over his wife Gwen Stefani and recalled that it was the moment that his life changed. “People ask me all the time, ‘What’s the greatest thing that has happened for you since you’ve been on The Voice?’” Blake said during the episode, wherehe and his fellowVoicecoachestook a walk down memory lane. “That’s a no-brainer, right? I met my fiancée here. It’s hard to resist Gwen Stefani. You know, here’s this iconic rock star coming to be a coach on The Voice in a black minivan. That was cool to me.”
Blake and Gwenannounced their engagement in October 2020 after five years of dating. The couple first confirmed their relationship in 2015, following Gwen’s divorce from Gavin Rossdale and Blake’s split fromMiranda Lambert. Though the couple finally met and fell in love onThe Voice, Blake admits that their relationship would have seemed like a complete shock to him when he was younger. “If you would have told me back in 1996 that Gwen Stefani was gonna be my girlfriend, I would have laughed you out of the room,” Blake said. “You know what I’m saying? I would have thought you were crazy. Saying it right now, I almost bust out laughing. That’s how ridiculous it is.”
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC/Peacock. Here’s how to watch it for free.
FAQs
Why does Blake Shelton want to leave The Voice? ›
“I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit,” he confessed to Carson Daly, who also hosts the competition series. “And then, because of COVID, I didn't want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind.
Was Blake Shelton asked to leave The Voice? ›Shelton first announced he was stepping away from the show in October 2022. "I've been wrestling with this for a while and I've decided that it's time for me to step away from The Voice after season 23," he wrote in an Instagram post.
Is Blake Shelton leaving The Voice in 2023? ›Country star Blake Shelton is ready to say goodbye to The Voice, with the upcoming 23rd season being the last time he will serve as a coach on the hit NBC competition series.
Who will be the judges on The Voice in 2023? ›THE Voice returns tonight for season 23 and fans can prepare to see some new faces in the red chairs. Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan are making their coaching debut and will join veteran judges Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton to discover new talent.
How much does Blake get paid for The Voice? ›Shelton makes $13 million per season of The Voice. With each season having 26 episodes, that means Shelton makes $500,000 per episode.
How much did Blake Shelton get paid for The Voice? ›Shelton reportedly makes $13 million per season on The Voice. Seeing as he's appeared on every season of the show thus far, Shelton makes about $26 million annually from The Voice alone, and because he has the most wins in Voice history, he may receive bonuses for that as well.
Are Adam and Blake still friends? ›"They haven't spoken in a while. There was no big dramatic falling out, but they both just moved on. It happens all the time with work relationships," a second source said. The report comes after social media model Sumner Stroh alleged that she and the Maroon 5 singer had a year-long affair.
How much do the judges make on The Voice? ›Most of the judges average around $13million per season. For example, Blake Shelton is rumored to make $26million per year from the show; however, he's had the most wins in the show's history, and he's been on the show since its inception.
Is Blake and Kelly leaving The Voice? ›You know Kelly Clarkson can't help but make a few playful digs at the lovable Blake Shelton. As fans know by now, Season 23 of The Voice will be Blake Shelton's last as a Coach. He'll be joined by his playful rival Kelly Clarkson, plus newbie Coaches Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper, in the red spinning chairs.
Is Blake and Gwen still together? ›They've been together for seven years! Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani have been a couple for seven years, and they celebrated their first wedding anniversary in July 2022. That's almost a whole decade of love—so how have the famous musicians been making it work?
Who will be the coaches for season 23 of The Voice? ›
The Season 23 premiere of The Voice is quickly approaching, and Coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, and Chance the Rapper are celebrating with a group performance that's just too good to be true.
Who are the 2024 Voice judges? ›...
The Voice (Season 26):
| The Voice | |
|---|---|
| Season 26 | |
| Broadcast from: | February 19, 2024 to May 14, 2024 |
| Judges | Adam Levine Usher Christina Aguilera Blake Shelton |
| Host | Carson Daly |
The coaches for this season are: Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, Taylor Swift, and Blake Shelton.
How much does Kelly Clarkson get paid for The Voice? ›How much does Kelly Clarkson make on The Voice? Although she's sitting out the current season 22, Variety report that Clarkson's work as a full-time coach on The Voice, which started in 2018, earns her a cool $14 million per season. (She'll back in the big red swivel chair for season 23 in 2023.)
Who is the highest paid voice coach? ›- John Legend, 43 – US$100 million. John Legend on The Voice. ...
- Adam Levine, 43 – US$160 million. ...
- Christina Aguilera, 41 – US$160 million. ...
- Gwen Stefani, 53 – US$160 million. ...
- Miley Cyrus, 29 – US$160 million. ...
- Usher, 44 – US$180 million. ...
- Ariana Grande, 29 – US$200 million. ...
- Pharrell Williams, 49 – US$250 million.
Most judges are paid around $13 million per season. Shelton is one of the most successful on The Voice and also the most winningest so far, with a total of 8 wins. This would make us think he's the highest paid, but no. The highest paid coach in the show's history is Ariana Grande and she's only been on season 21.
How much did Gwen Stefani get paid for The Voice? ›How much does Gwen Stefani get for doing The Voice? She started out making $10 million per season on season 7, but by season 12, she was reportedly making more than $13 million thanks to bonuses surrounding her relationship with the country crooner. She appeared again on seasons 17 and 19 but was replaced by Nick.
Who is replacing Blake on The Voice? ›Reba McEntire Admits It's Going To Be “Tough” Replacing Blake Shelton On 'The Voice'
How much did John Legend make on The Voice? ›How much did John Legend make on The Voice? Legend's salary per season of The Voice is estimated at between $13 million and $14 million. At six seasons and counting, Legend has so far made at least $78 million from The Voice alone if we use his $13 million per season salary.
Who is Blake Shelton's best friend? ›Beyond The Clouds and Over The Rocks: Blake Shelton and Craig Morgan's Friendship. You know it's true friendship when it's more than the banters, laughs, and funny moments; it's there for each other through tough times and the happiest and saddest moments.
Why did Gwen Stefani leave The Voice? ›
Season 20 was reportedly filming at the same time as season 19 was wrapping up, so it's possible Stefani was too busy working on new music to take on that type of commitment.
Why is John Legend leaving The Voice? ›“My family's growing, I have a new album out, I'm gonna do a little bit of touring, and so it's probably better that I take a break,” Legend told the publication.
Why do The Voice judges wear the same clothes? ›TV shows often also instruction presenters or guests to wear the same clothes for something called continuity, which makes it easy to edit together footage filmed at different times. "It's all true. Our coaches have been wearing the same clothes for six weeks now.
Has any voice winner been successful? ›Former Hey Monday singer and season three champ Cassadee Pope, who won in December 2012, is still the most successful winner of "The Voice." Pope, 33, already had a following by the time she appeared on "The Voice," but she was competing in a completely new genre.
How much did Jennifer Hudson get paid for The Voice? ›How much did jennifer hudson make on The Voice? But given that she's an Oscar winner and a bonafide pop star, it's likely that she made around the $8 million mark for her two seasons on the NBC singing competition.
Is Blake Shelton coming back to The Voice next season? ›Who are The Voice Coaches for Season 23? Blake Shelton will return for Season 23, and it will be his last season on The Voice (yes, you read that right). Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson will take a seat in her red chair once again after a brief hiatus.
Why Kelly was not live on The Voice? ›During the talk, she was asked about why she had chosen not to return to the singing program for the latest season. And her reasoning was simple, wanting to decompress after some large recent changes. "I hadn't had a minute, and it's obviously been a rough couple of years," she said.
Why isn t Kelly Clarkson doing The Voice? ›"It was really important I think to show my kids that, yes, mommy loves work and I love to do what I do," Clarkson said. "But family is first. So when we need a moment to step back and we need to be together, that's when you take the time when it is necessary.
Who is Blake Shelton's wife? ›Blake Shelton
What is the age difference between Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani? ›What is the age difference between Blake and Gwen? Stefani is 53 and Shelton is 46, making the "Slow Clap" singer seven years older than her husband.
Does Gwen and Blake have children? ›
Discover everything The Voice star has said about parenting in her forties with husband Blake Shelton. Gwen Stefani is already a doting mother to her three sons, Kingston, 15, Zuma, 13, and seven-year-old Apollo, who she delivered at the age of 44.
How many does each coach get on The Voice? ›The competition includes four phases this season. The first is the "Blind Audition," in which the judges build their teams, which have 16 spots each. Contestants audition to join one of the coaches' teams, but with a twist - the judges never see the contestant.
Is Kelly Clarkson going to be a coach on The Voice? ›And she will have some competition.
Which coaches won which seasons of The Voice? ›| Season | Winner | Winning Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Jake Hoot | Kelly Clarkson |
| 18 | Todd Tilghman | Blake Shelton |
| 19 | Carter Rubin | Gwen Stefani |
1. Blake Shelton. It is tough to argue Shelton topping this list considering he's won seven championships as a coach. Some may argue he has a lock on all of the country artists, but his first win came in Season 2 with R&B singer Jermaine Paul.
Why is John Legend not returning to The Voice? ›"My family's growing, I have a new album out, I'm 'gonna do a little bit of touring, and so it's probably better that I take a break," Legend told Entertainment Tonight about why he's stepping back from The Voice next season.
Is Gwen Stefani leaving The Voice 2023? ›Who are the coaches on 'The Voice' 2023? Season 23 of “The Voice” comes with big changes in the coaching lineup: John Legend, Gwen Stefani and first-time coach Camila Cabello are all leaving the show.
Do you get paid to be on The Voice? ›Contestants aren't paid to be on the show.
While singers don't make a paycheck from performing on The Voice, they are given a huge platform, free publicity, and celebrity access to grow their music careers.
...
The Voice (franchise)
| The Voice | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Talpa Media (until 2019) ITV Studios (2019–present) |
| Years | 2010–present |
| Films and television | |
Kelly Clarkson returns to the coaching panel for her ninth season, following her absence in the previous season. The season introduces two debuting coaches for the first time since season 11; the new coaches are rapper and singer-songwriter Chance the Rapper, and singer-songwriter and One Direction member Niall Horan.
Why is Gwen Stefani leaving The Voice? ›
Season 20 was reportedly filming at the same time as season 19 was wrapping up, so it's possible Stefani was too busy working on new music to take on that type of commitment.
Why did Adam Levine have to leave The Voice? ›"I was just constantly working for so many years—very lucky, very fortunate, very blessed and all that—but to just be able to stop in this moment to spend time with my new young family and just have the greatest time ever," he explained. "Now I'm just, like, a stay-at-home dad."
Is Kelly Clarkson coming back to The Voice? ›The Voice season 23 will see Blake welcoming back Kelly Clarkson as a coach after she skipped season 22. What's more, newcomers Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper will round out the coaches.
Who is the most successful of The Voice judges? ›As the Coach with the longest tenure, Blake Shelton unsurprisingly has the most wins. The Voice, so far, has crowned 22 winners, and they've all come from different Coaches across the seasons.
How much do the judges get paid for The Voice? ›Most of the judges average around $13million per season. For example, Blake Shelton is rumored to make $26million per year from the show; however, he's had the most wins in the show's history, and he's been on the show since its inception.
Why did Blake Shelton not invite Adam Levine? ›When asked about why Adam didn't attend his and Gwen's nuptials, Blake joked that the Maroon 5 member's interview on Ellen was the real reason he didn't send Adam an invitation. “That's the reason we didn't invite to him to the wedding,” Blake said.
Will Adam Levine ever return to The Voice? ›One of the most famous faces to ever sit in one of “The Voice's” big red chairs, Adam Levine, is officially returning to the show. He'll reunite with old “frenemy” Blake Shelton in the Season 20 finale, airing Tuesday, May 25 on NBC.
Was Adam Levine forced to leave The Voice? ›Everything he said that day suggested that there was no bad blood between him and anyone on The Voice – including Blake Shelton. In actual fact, Adam explained that he had just passed a particular threshold from his time on the popular reality series, and he needed to focus more on his family.