'A little bit of nothing would be nice': Blake Shelton reveals why he's quitting 'The Voice' after 23 seasons
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Blake Shelton has revealed exactly why he decided to leave 'The Voice' after a whopping 12 years. The 46-year-old country star first shared the news in October 2022, when he announced he was stepping down after hosting the singing competition for 23 seasons.
The singer will serve as a coach for the last time for the upcoming 23rd season of 'The Voice' after becoming the only artist to take on the role for every season of the hit show. The 'God's Country' hitmaker, who left his mark by winning a record nine seasons, notably met his wife Gwen Stefani on the show. He has now revealed that he began thinking about leaving during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
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'This show changed my life'
"I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit," he told host Carson Daly during the Monday, February 27 episode of 'Today'. "And then, because of COVID, I didn’t want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind," he added. "I mean, this show changed my life. I’ll stay here until the world kind of gets back to normal again." Shelton noted how 'The Voice' had not only changed his life professionally, but also blossomed his personal life. "I met my wife on this show," he said. "It’s changed my life in every way it possibly can, from a personal standpoint." Shelton and Stefani first met in 2014 while coaching for the competition. Both were in other relationships at the time. However, they went through divorces in the summer of 2015 and began dating eventually. Shelton popped the question to Stefani in 2020 and the pair tied the knot the following year.
"When I came on as a coach on this show, I mean, everything in my life was turned upside down," Shelton told Today. "And in a good way, you know? This has been incredible, but it’s time, you know. It’s time for not even what’s next. A little bit of nothing would be nice." It's worth noting that Kelly Clarkson is set to return to 'The Voice' for Season 23 after sitting out for a year. She and Shelton will be joined by two new hosts, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper. The country music star joked to the 'Today' hosts that he might have stayed on if Clarkson hadn't returned to the show. "I’d like for Kelly to not be on the show anymore," he quipped, adding, "I just think there’s too much Kelly Clarkson on television, in general."
'It's been a hell of a ride'
Taking to Instagram in October, Blake announced season 23 would be his last. "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," he shared. "It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week." The 'Boys 'Round Here' crooner added, "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. It's about y'all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches, and everyone at The Voice who is chasing their dreams. It would not happen without you!"
Blake Shelton's final season on 'The Voice' premieres Monday, March 6 at 8 pm on NBC.