Adam Levine is finally addressing Blake Shelton’s departure from The Voice. After Shelton announced this current season will be his last, Levine, 43, spoke out during Sunday’s Vanity Fair Oscar Party, telling Entertainment Tonight, “It’s about time!”
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Levine and Shelton were part of the reality singing competition’s original coaching panel, alongside Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green, until Levine’s exit in 2019. Since then, various stars have appeared as coaches, including Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Usher, Nick Jonas, and more. Shelton, 46, is the only original star on the panel. Since the show debuted in 2011, Shelton has appeared for 23 consecutive seasons and scored nine wins in total.
As we previously reported, Blake’s October departure post reads: “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. This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”
He continued, ”It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns.” Shelton then thanked all the staff at NBC, down to the catering people. He said, “It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.” Of course, Shelton had to include the “lifelong bonds” he’s made, shouting out Carson Daly as well as his wife, Gwen Stefani.
Shelton recently said that when he leaves the show, he’ll be able to spend more time with his family. “The kids see me as a very important person in their life,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “[When they ask], ‘Why isn’t Blake here?’ I take that stuff to heart. I’ve made plenty of money, but you can’t buy time back. I don’t want any regrets.”