'The Voice' 2023: Blake Shelton turns chair one last time as he gears to exit NBC show after 23 seasons
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Get ready for a shakeup, folks! One of the most familiar faces on 'The Voice' is bidding farewell soon. Blake Shelton, the beloved country superstar who's been a fixture on the show since its inception, is moving on. He made his last chair turn for contestant Grace West. Fans have been glued to their screens all season long, anticipating the moment when Shelton's final curtain call will come. The news first broke last year, when Shelton made the big announcement that he would be leaving the popular NBC singing competition on social media. He's the only original judge who's stuck it out through thick and thin, helping to make 'The Voice' the massive success that it is today. Over the years, he's mentored countless aspiring artists, some of whom have gone on to become stars in their own right. And let's not forget, he even found love on set with former judge Gwen Stefani!
Shelton has been vocal about his feelings regarding his departure from 'The Voice', stating that the show has completely transformed his life. "This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me," he said in an Instagram post. It's no surprise that his fellow judges and the entire 'Voice' crew are going all out to make sure his send-off is a memorable one. If you're a fan of Shelton and 'The Voice', you won't want to miss a minute of this historic final season. From special performances to heartfelt tributes, the show is pulling out all the stops to make sure Shelton's exit is a moment to remember. So sit back, relax, and get ready to say goodbye to one of the most beloved judges in 'The Voice' history.
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The face of a man who just turned his chair for the final time! #TeamBlake #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/7wALJ3Q6mS
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) March 22, 2023
Why is Blake Shelton leaving 'The Voice'?
Hold on to your cowboy hats, folks, because Blake Shelton, the man, the myth, the legend, is bidding adieu to 'The Voice' after an epic 12-year run. But the real reason behind his departure? Love! Shelton, the 'God's Country' crooner, has been wrestling with the decision to leave the hit NBC singing competition for some time. And who can blame him? He's got a whole blended family to take care of now that he's a stepfather to Gwen Stefani's three adorable children from her first marriage with Gavin Rossdale: Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo. But while Shelton may be leaving 'The Voice' behind, he's not slowing down anytime soon.
He's got a ton of exciting new projects in the works, including the game show 'Barmageddon', which he co-created with 'The Voice' host Carson Daly. And while he's not in a rush to jump into anything new, he's open to new opportunities as they arise. It's hard to believe that the country superstar has been a mainstay on 'The Voice' since its inception, coaching some of the most successful contestants and bringing his signature charm to the judges' panel. And let's not forget how he met his lady love, Stefani, on the show back in 2014. Talk about a match made in musical heaven!
So, as Shelton bids farewell to 'The Voice' to prioritize his time with Stefani and their beautiful family, we can only imagine what exciting adventures await him in the future. One thing's for sure: whatever he does next, he'll do it with that trademark Blake Shelton charm and cowboy swagger.
How are the coaches sending him off?
The countdown to Blake Shelton's departure from 'The Voice' is on, and the coaches of Season 23 are pulling out all the stops to celebrate his epic 12-year tenure. In a hilarious parody of 'The Office', released before the premiere on March 6, Shelton and his fellow coaches, including newcomers Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper, poked fun at the country star's constant reminders that it's his last season. Even Kelly Clarkson got in on the action, joking that the skit was "definitely about Blake."
But the fun didn't stop there. In other promo videos for the current season, Horan gave his best impression of Shelton's southern drawl, mimicking the seasoned coach's recruiting tactic. And during blind auditions, Shelton upped the ante by giving contestants who join his team a custom T-shirt reading: 'I'm on Blake's last team.' Even Jimmy Fallon couldn't resist the chance to prank Shelton.
The late-night host surprised the coach with a blind audition, singing a Michael McDonald song and leading three judges to turn their chairs around. And former judges Adam Levine and John Legend couldn't resist weighing in on Shelton's exit, with Levine jokingly saying, 'It's about time,' and Legend calling Shelton the 'heart and soul and anchor' of the show.
As the current season of 'The Voice' continues, fans are eagerly anticipating Shelton's final moments on the show. Will he go out with a bang, or will he leave his fans with a bittersweet goodbye? One thing's for sure: it's sure to be a season to remember.
Who is replacing Blake Shelton on 'The Voice'?
With the winds of change blowing on 'The Voice', the big question on everyone's lips is: Who will replace Blake Shelton? The country crooner has been a fixture on the show since its debut a decade ago, but now he's stepping down to focus on his family and other projects. While the show hasn't revealed who will be joining the coaching panel, fans are speculating and the buzz is building. Will it be a familiar face or a fresh voice? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, though: Shelton will be missed. He's been an integral part of 'The Voice' family, coaching some of the biggest names in the business and providing endless entertainment with his quick wit and infectious charm.
Original coaches from the first season included Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, and Shelton. Other coaches throughout the years have included Shakira, Usher, Stefani, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and Camila Cabello.
'The Voice' Season 23 airs every Monday from 8 to 9 pm ET and Tuesday from 9 to 10 pm ET only on NBC. You can also stream 'The Voice' Season 23 the next day on Peacock.