Blake Shelton left The Voice after 23 seasons as a coach
Country singer and television personality Blake Shelton was a coach on NBC’s hit reality singing competition show The Voice from the inaugural season. With nine wins over 23 seasons, he proved that he was apt for the job, earning the most wins of any coach in the show’s history.
His last time in the iconic red chair was the finale of season 23 in May of last year. On the day of his final episode, he reflected:
“When we signed up for season 1, I don’t think any of us knew what this was going to be. These past 12 years I have made lifelong friends and memories. I’ve had the great opportunity to coach some really talented artists, 9 who have taken home #TeamBlake… Thank you to everyone… the crew, the coaches, the contestants, the fans, and my wife who have made these some really great years.”
Why did Blake Shelton leave The Voice?
After announcing his departure from the reality show, the country music icon said that his music career was no longer his top priority. He is instead shifting his focus to family life with his wife Gwen Stefani and her sons, Kingston (16), Zuma (13), and Apollo (8).
He told Access Hollywood last year:
“I think being a stepdad has changed my perspective in that I’m not the first person that I think about anymore.” He added, “There’s no way around it. If you’re going to do it and do it right, you have to be 150 percent in, and I just feel like those days are behind me for now. I got a more important job.“
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John Legend gives his opinion on whether or not Blake Shelton will return to The Voice
Since Shelton’s departure, EGOT recipient John Legend is the most seasoned coach on The Voice, with nine seasons under his belt. He was recently asked by Entertainment Tonight if he thought Blake Shelton would ever return to the competition.
Unfortunately for Blake Shelton fans, Legend feels that a return is unlikely. He shared:
“I feel like Gwen is the only chance we have. I don’t think Blake is coming back.”
Gwen Stefani also took a spin as a coach on The Voice for seven non-consecutive seasons between the years of 2014 and 2023.
John Legend comments that Shelton is “enjoying himself” on his Oklahoma farm. He adds:
“I’ve talked to him and he’s, like, picking corn. He sent us some fresh corn from the farm, he sent us some fresh peaches from the farm, we made peach cobbler. I don’t think he has any desire to come back to Hollywood and film The Voice.”
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Take a look back at the comedic dynamic between Blake Shelton and John Legend from their time working together on The Voice below!