It looks like an era is coming to an end for Blake Shelton, who has officially announced his exit from The Voice ahead of its next season in spring 2023. The country star revealed he had been "wrestling with this for a while," in a recent Instagram post, and as much as we hate to see him leave, we can't wait to see what else he has in store for us. Here's what we know so far.
For those who never tuned in, The Voice began back in 2011 as the ultimate signing competition with an A-list celebrity judge panel. Contestants' true voices were tested when celebrity judges chose their favorite voices blindly and eventually became coaches who guided them all the way to the finish line. When the NBC show began over a decade ago, the original judges were Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, and the one and only Blake Shelton. The judges have changed through the years, but Blake Shelton has remained loyal to the show throughout its 22 seasons. So now that season 23 is coming up, Shelton has formally announced he will be leaving the beloved show.
"This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me," Shelton wrote on 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. It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week." However, the show changed his life in more ways the most, considering he met his current wife, Gwen Stefani, on the show in 2014, when she became a judge. "I've made lifelong bonds with Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years," he wrote, "including my wife Gwen Stefani!"
Sponsored
"I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers—the 'voices,'" Shelton continued, "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." Shelton finished off the statement thanking the fans for all the support throughout the years. Safe to say, we are going to miss him, but we can't help but wonder who's taking his place! Until then, stay tuned.