After 23 seasons, country star Blake Shelton is officially stepping away from the judges’ chair on the hit singing competition The Voice. On the 23rd season finale, Shelton, who served as one of the original hosts from the show’s beginning was honored amongst other things including the retirement of his jean jacket which showcased all the seasons in which Shelton’s team won.
The show started off with the competition’s host and TODAY’s Carson Daly leading the country music star from his dressing room to the stage where Shelton encountered crew members who gave hugs and high-fives. Shelton then joined one of his original co-coaches Adam Levine on stage where Levine joked to Shelton to ‘not screw’ up his last show.
Going into the finale Shelton boasted two contestants and had the chance to secure his 10th victory. However Shelton’s team did not win as the crown was given off to 19-year-old Gina Miles who was a member of freshman judge Niall Horan’s team. The One Direction alum was seen hugging and congratulating Shelton following the finale’s conclusion.
During his tenure as host the ‘God’s Country’ star has competed with his team against other noteworthy judges such as John Legend, Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys. One past judge in particular though will remain with Shelton long after he departs from the show.
Pop-star Gwen Stefani shared a touching message on Instagram regarding her husband’s departure from the show.
“When I first came on the show, our lives were having this parallel destruction happening and then next thing you know Blake and I start becoming besties and falling in love,” Stefani said. “It’s hard for me to even talk about it without getting super emotional.”
Shelton’s romance with Stefani began when they starred as judges together on the 7th season of The Voice. Shelton told TODAY’s Carson Daly that meeting Stefani was “the greatest thing to happen to me in my life.”
News was announced on May 15 2023 that Reba McEntire would be replacing Shelton for the 24th season which is set to premier in Fall 2023.
Sources:
