Blake Shelton Opens Up About Why He’s Leaving ‘The Voice’ After 23 Seasons: I Am Tired’

This article has been updated since its initial publish date. 

Blake Shelton is bidding adieu to his beloved role as coach on The Voice this year, and tonight’s finale will be his last on the show after 23 seasons. Shelton spun around for contestants for 12 years, and also notably scored 9 wins during his time as a coach.

Before the finale, Shelton told Entertainment Tonight that he is looking forward to it. “I’m excited. I’m in a good place about this, you know? I don’t have any regrets about it,” he stressed regarding his decision to leave the show.

Earlier this year, Shelton reflected to the outlet, “I mean, my god, it’s been 23 seasons, 12 years.” He added, “My friends, I’ve seen their kids literally grow up… It’s unbelievable, all the life that’s happened. I met my wife on there, you know, everything good that could come from something like that, I’ve maxed it out.”

Luckily for fans, Shelton’s wife and former co-star, Gwen Stefani will return to the show for its upcoming season as a coach, and fellow country crooner Reba McEntire will take his place. “I’m definitely going to miss it at times, but it’s time,” Shelton also told the publication. “This has changed my life in a lot of ways, but it’s time to let one of these new up-and-coming artists become a coach — like Reba. That’d be a good break,” he went on.

Back in January, Shelton warmed fans’ hearts as he shared the hilarious and bittersweet trailer for his final season. In an Instagram post for his 5.8 million followers, the superstar shared a promo video for it and wrote in his caption, “just a few pointers.”

In the clip, fans can see his playful banter with fellow returning coach Kelly Clarkson and newcomers Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper. Shelton, it seemed, was determined to make his last season the most memorable, as he was also seen utilizing a giant sign in the shape of his signature “pick me” point to convince a contestant to choose him.

“After 23 seasons…” Shelton said in the video, promoting himself to a potential team member before Clarkson funnily interrupted. “He’s so tired!” the American Idol winner added with a laugh. “I am tired,” the “God Gave Me You” singer stressed, “Tired of this!” In his post comment section, many fans wrote that they will “miss” Shelton “so much” and others begged him not to go. “Do you have to leave Blake?” one asked as another chimed in, “we love watching you!”

Back in October 2022, Shelton wrote in a statement for his fans, “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.”

The “God’s Country” hitmaker went on, “it’s been a hell of 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.”

Around the same time, fans were excited to learn that the Walk of Fame star recipient and Clarkson would sit in the iconic red chairs next to pop singer-songwriter (and One Direction alum) Horan and Grammy-winning hip hop artist Chance the Rapper, who took Stefani and John Legend’s spots.

The second part of The Voice finale will air tonight, May 23rd, at 9 p.m., ET/PT, on NBC.