Blake Shelton: “It’s time to move on” from The Voice
After 12 years on The Voice, Blake Shelton is leaving after the upcoming season 23. The new cycle also features four time winner, Kelly Clarkson, returning to the show after two cycles off. Rounding out the panel are the newbies Chance the Rapper, and former X Factor contestant and One Direction member, Niall Horan.
Considering season 23 will serve as Blake’s goodbye tour, all eyes are on the coach as he tries to secure his 10th win. It’s a nice round number. Producers would probably LOVE him to win one more time. What will they do to help that along? But also, artists are probably eager to join his very last team–not only for the history making moment, but also a calculation that Blake’s last team will serve up the winner.
The coaches visited the Today Show recently, where they chatted with Today and The Voice host Carson Daly.
The COVID-19 pandemic kept Blake from quitting earlier
Blake reveals that he was ready to leave in 2020. But when the pandemic hit, he decided to stick around. “Because of Covid, I didn’t want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind.” he said. “This show changed my life.” He decided to stay “Until the world gets back to normal again.”
Blake joked that if Kelly wasn’t on the show anymore, he’d stay. “I just think there’s too much Kelly Clarkson on television in general!”
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The Voice changed Blake’s life in every way imaginable. He met his wife, Gwen Stefani, when she joined the panel in 2014. Both singers were married at the time–Gwen to British rocker Gavin Rossdale, and Blake to fellow country singer Miranda Lambert. When both of their marriages blew up at around the same time, the two became friendly, eventually beginning a relationship in 2015. The pair were married, with Carson officiating, in 2021.
“The only star The Voice ever found was Blake Shelton”
And as far as his career is concerned, The Voice turned Blake into a mega-star. “I read people say, the only star The Voice ever found was Blake Shelton.” He added that the show turned his life upside down, but “in a good way.”
“This has been incredible,” Blake said, “But it’s time.” He’s not rushing off to something new. “A little bit of nothing” would be a nice next chapter, he added.
The Voice season 23 premieres on NBC Monday March 6 at 8 pm. There are a few big changes to the format this season. Celebrity advisors will not be joining the coaches for the Battle Rounds. However, Reba McEntire will serve as the Knockout Round Mega Mentor.
Also, the Playoffs will be taped instead of airing live. And while producers haven’t explicitly said it, according to the schedule, season 23 will only feature two weeks of live shows and voting, beginning May 15. Check out THIS LINK for all the format changes!
