fbpx

Blake Shelton Exits THE VOICE: ‘This Show Has Changed My Life For The Better’

Photo from Blake Shelton’s Instagram

Blake Shelton Exits THE VOICE: ‘This Show Has Changed My Life For The Better’

By Movieguide® Contributor

After 12 years, Blake Shelton announced that he plans to retire as a judge on the popular singing competition series, THE VOICE, after next season. 

In an Instagram post, the country star wrote:

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. 

This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been [quite] 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.

I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one of 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!

Shelton has been on THE VOICE since the show’s start in 2011. He will return for Season 23, alongside Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, and Chance the Rapper, but that will be Shelton’s last season. 

The country singer has always been open about his faith. Movieguide® previously reported

Country crooner Blake Shelton opened up about his growing faith in a recent interview with The Tennessean.

“I believe in God now more than I ever have in my life,” The Voice coach said. “The biggest part of that is just how (Gwen) came into my life and now our relationship. It’s just too weird. If you take God out of it, it doesn’t make sense. If you put God into it, everything that’s happened with us makes sense.”

Gwen is Gwen Stefani, also a recurring coach on the NBC singing show, produced by Christian Mark Burnett. Stefani is often spotted taking her children to church in Los Angeles.

Stefani invited him to church, and he’s been regularly attending services for the last few years.

Shelton incorporated his faith in his latest album, which includes faith-based singles “Jesus Got a Tight Grip,” and “God’s Country.”

Shelton told The Tennessean he had a “revelation” when listening to “God’s Country.”

“It was the most shocking moment I’ve had in my 20 years of doing this,” Shelton said.

He continued, “I was in a place that I consider to be God’s country doing the thing that makes me feel the most connected to God, which is working on the land. I heard that song, and I had one of those moments that you hear people talk about … where they say they pulled over on the side of the highway and listened. I literally had that moment.”

“Sometimes the lyrics of a song fit just right with the listener,” said Charlie Cook, Vice President of Country at Cumulus Media. “Country music fans buy into the sentiment of the song and add an act like Blake, who they hear on the radio all day and on TV a couple of times a week, and it works.”

“God’s Country” was nominated for a GRAMMY award last month and is Shelton’s most-streamed song of all time.