Adam Levine has opened up about the departure of his former co-star and close friend Blake Shelton from NBC’s The Voice.
The Maroon 5 frontman, 43, spoke with entertainment tonight on Sunday while attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and saying, “About time!”
The Moves Like Jagger singer left his position as a coach on the reality competition in 2019, leaving the country singer as the sole original host of the series.
Since Levine’s departure after season 16, several stars have appeared on the show as coaches, including Usher, Nick Jonas, Shakira, and Miley Cyrus.
Shelton, 46, has stayed on the show for 11 years as the only original star sitting in a red swivel chair with a buzzer.
His friend’s final season: Adam Levine, 43, has opened up about Blake Shelton’s departure as a judge on NBC’s The Voice after 23 seasons.
King of The Voice: Last week, a new preview for The Voice showed Blake pressing the buzzer one last time as he confidently said, “I want everyone here to know that there is only one King of The Voice.”
Shelton has appeared on all 23 seasons of the NBC reality show, which began airing in 2011, and even met his now-wife, Gwen Stefani, on it.
In October, Blake announced his departure in a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram account captioned, “Thank you @nbcthevoice.”
“I’ve been struggling with this for a while and have decided 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. It’s been quite a ride over these 12 years of chair changes, and I want to thank everyone at NBC’s The Voice, all the producers, writers, musicians, crew, and catering staff; You are the best.
“It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to put on a live show twice a week. I have created lifelong bonds with Carson and each of my fellow trainers over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani!
“I have to give a big shout out to the singers, the ‘Voices’ who take this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me as their coach,” Shelton wrote.
Following his announcement, NBC revealed that Niall Horan, Chance The Rapper and Kelly Clarkson would be joining Shelton as coaches for his final season.
He’s not surprised: The Maroon 5 frontman attended the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party on Sunday, where he commented on Blake’s departure from the show while speaking to ET by saying, “About time!”
Best friends: Adam and Blake sat across from each other in The Voice’s coaches’ swivel chairs for 16 seasons before the Maroon 5 frontman left the show in 2019 – pictured in 2019
Walk of Fame: Gwen Stefani and Shelton attend the ceremony honoring Adam Levine with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – pictured February 2017
Last week, a new preview from The Voice showed Blake ringing the bell one last time as he and his fellow judges finished the blind audition process to select their teams for the upcoming season.
‘I’m never going to push that again! Get him out of here, get him out of here. For the last time, my team is full,” Shelton said.
Blake, who has trained the most winners on the reality singing competition show with nine, confidently said: “I want everyone here to know that there is only one king of The Voice.”
Clarkson, 40, reflected on the moment, saying: “What I enjoyed the most this season in particular was in the Blinds being there when Blake pushed his button for the last time.”
Kelly also opened up to ET ahead of the season 23 premiere, saying, “I texted him. If I was going to do a final season, I wanted to make sure I was there.
She added: “If (Blake) wins, I’m so happy for him because it’s great to win in the final season, and he’s literally the show, from conception.”
The Due to You singer ended by saying: ‘But, like, I’m not, like, supporting him to win. I’ll be happy for him if he does, but obviously I’m trying to win myself over.
Fun date setup: Adam set up Blake with Gwen during a T-Mobile commercial in which Stefani said she’s “looking for someone educated, maybe from another country, someone who isn’t afraid of a strong woman.” When Blake showed up to her date wearing cowboy boots, Stefani was shocked and said, ‘I mean…spurs? Actually? Who wears those for dinner?
Star Trainers: Judges (L-R) Alicia Keys, Blake, Adam and Gwen, select their teams during the ‘Battle Rounds’ – pictured in 2017