It’s the end of an era.
Blake Shelton— who has coached every season of The Voice since the show premiered in 2011— announced on Tuesday that the next season—Season 23– of the singing show will be his last. On the same day, NBC announced that Blake and Kelly Clarkson will return as coaches for Season 23, alongside two new coaches: Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Blake thanked the show for changing his life and helping him to meet his wife, fellow coach Gwen Stefani.
“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after next season,” Blake wrote. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me. 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.”
Blake also credited ‘The Voice’ for introducing him to Carson Daly, the show’s host whom Blake said has become a “lifelong” friend.
“I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!” he wrote. “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.
“Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at ‘The Voice’ who are chasing their dreams. It would not happen without you.”
Blake has had a lot of success with the contestants he’s coached. He has won the show eight times, and helped 15 different artists to get a No. 1 hit on the iTunes Top Songs chart.
In the comment section of Blake’s Instagram announcement post, many of his former ‘Voice’ singers left comments thanking Blake for his help on the show.
“Love you @blakeshelton! You and @nbcthevoice changed MY life!” wrote Todd Tilghman, the winner of Season 18.
Honored to call you my coach and to have had the chance to work with you ? #teamblakeforever,” wrote Season 22’s Eva Sophia Ullmann.
“We love & adore you uncle @blakeshelton ..thank you for being so good to us,” the Instagram account for Season 19’s Worth the Wait trio.
(Photos: Getty Images; Instagram)
One Response
Followed by a divorce from plastic Gwen.