Blake Shelton Says This Moment Is When He First Thought About Leaving The Voice

While Season 23 of The Voice may be Blake Shelton’s last, the OG Coach revealed that he originally intended to leave at a different time. However, there was something major that kept him in that red swivel chair for a few more years.

“I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit. And then because of COVID, I didn’t want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind,” he told Host Carson Daly in an interview with TODAY. “I mean, this show changed my life; I’ll stay here until the world kind of gets back to normal again.”

Shelton also discussed in an interview with NBC Insider what he's attached to most on The Voice (besides his fellow Coaches, of course).

“The hardest part about filming my final season of The Voice is I’m very territorial about this particular chair that I’m sitting in,” Shelton said.  I’m trying to negotiate and work out a deal where I can actually take my chair with me. I mean, it's one thing to say,  'I’m handing my chair off to the next Coach’ or whatever, but I literally don’t want to hand my chair off to whoever the next Coach is. I wanna take this one with me. I understand they need to use this area, but I don’t feel good about letting someone else use my chair.”

Shelton’s announcement of his departure from The Voice came with a bittersweet statement.

“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 Season 23,” he said. “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."

He added, "It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson [Daly] and every single one my fellow Coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani! 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!"

Watch The Voice on NBC Mondays at 8/7c and Tuesdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock.