LOS ANGELES — Blake Shelton is ready to leave behind the turning chairs of NBC’s “The Voice” and will conclude his reign as the show’s longest-serving coach after Season 23.
“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,” he announced Tuesday on Instagram. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”
Shelton, who has been with the singing competition program since its beginning in 2011, thanked nearly everyone who has been part of his yearslong journey on the hit series. He expressed gratitude to NBC staff and producers, his wife and fellow coach, Gwen Stefani, and host Carson Daly.
During his tenure, Shelton has ushered in a handful of rising stars, starting with New York singer Jermaine Paul, who won the series’ sophomore season in 2012 under the country singer’s tutelage. Also emerging victorious under Shelton’s coaching were Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Craig Wayne Boyd, Sundance Head, Chloe Kohanski and Todd Tilghman. Cam Anthony was the most recent musician to win “The Voice” under Shelton.