Just a few hours after NBC’s unveiled its Season 23 coaches, Blake Shelton to fans that it would be his last season on the show. During a recent interview with , the country singer’s wife and fellow coach on , Gwen Stefani, shared her thoughts on her husband’s announcement.
“I think that Blake–I don’t know, I think he just wants more time, you know what I mean? I don’t know that people realize, if he’s doing two seasons a year, right?” Stefani said. “In between that, he’s touring. So he actually has two teams at the same time at a certain point, so they overlap.”
The couple currently split their time between their Los Angeles home and their Oklahoma ranch with her three sons Kingston, Zuma and Apollo. Stefani went on to explain that since Shelton is constantly moving around with his busy schedule, he doesn’t have much free time left to enjoy the peace of the ranch. In letting go of , he may get the chance to spend some more time at home.
“So it’s a lot of brain power, it’s a lot of time away from the family, those kinds of things. I think he just got to a point where he just wants time in his ranch, like time to just do the other things that he loves to do.”
Stefani continued, “And I’m totally speaking for you, Blake, sorry! I’m married to you so I can say whatever I want! But it’s just, I’m excited for him because, you know, we have lives outside of work, and it’s a really good life, it’s really fun, and we have so much fun!
This decision also means that they will have more opportunities to be together outside of their overlapping work lives.
“We have Oklahoma, which is something I never knew I needed and wanted, you know? We planted a garden, we do all kinds of fun stuff. So we’re looking forward to doing some of that family stuff together. It’s ‘gonna be great.”
Although she gives the utmost support to her husband, the pop icon confesses that she does “feel sorry” for the future contestants on the singing completion who will not get the chance to learn from him.
“I feel sorry for [the Artists on ] because honestly, he’s so talented, he’s so funny, and he’s so great on the show, and I’m sorry, guys, but it wasn’t my decision,” she explained honestly. “It’s totally him and I’m excited to see what’s ‘gonna come next. ‘Cause I betcha something’s out there that we don’t even know about.”
The “God’s Country” singer will be around for one more round of the Emmy-winning show before he says goodbye to the chair he has claimed for 23 seasons. Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance The Rapper will also join him in the coaching seats in 2023.
Blake Shelton took to social media on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11) to share the news with fans via a statement.
“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 revealed.
The 46-year-old hitmaker went on to detail the impact that the show has had on his life and career as well as thank everyone who makes the show possible.
“This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me,” Shelton continued. “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.”
Blake Shelton holds the title for the longest-running as well as the coach with the most overall wins on .
Fans can still watch Shelton on the current season of airing on NBC every Monday and Tuesday at 8/7c and on Peacock the next day.
