Blake Shelton Explains Why He Will Not Be Performing During His Final Season On ‘The Voice’

“This’ll be the first season that I’ve ever not performed on the show,” Shelton reflected.

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Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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Posted on May 18, 2023

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Blake Shelton; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC

Blake Shelton is preparing to exit NBC’s The Voice at the end of the season, and when he does, he wants to make sure he remembers his last day, which is coming up very soon.

To do that, the “No Body” crooner says he is going to try his best to “take it all in.” 

“I’ve never really been good at, like, taking in the moment while it’s happening,” Shelton, 46, who has had a long run as the sole country coach on the reality TV singing competition since its 2011 inception, admitted while discussing his anticipated leave with E! News. “And so I’m trying to do that.”

Shelton Will Not Perform During His Final Season On The Voice

Shelton met his wife, pop superstar Gwen Stefani on The Voice, and his decision to soak in the show’s final moments came after she gave him that advice. 

“Gwen and I talk about that a lot. She’s like, ‘Just try to take it in.’ And we both struggle with that whenever something cool is happening,” he shared. 

Shelton adopting that mindset means fans won’t get to see him perform live when they tune in to catch the Season 23 two-night finale, which is something he has done every season leading up to this point.

Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC
Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC

This Will Be The First Season That Shelton Didn’t Perform

But Shelton seems to be content with the change-up.  

“This’ll be the first season that I’ve ever not performed on the show,” he reflects. “I just kinda wanna sit back, and watch it all happen, and enjoy it.”

Shelton announced he would be quitting The Voice in October of 2022 with a lengthy message on Instagram. 

He wrote: “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while, and I’ve 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 to me. 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. 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 shout out 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.”

Blake Shelton Is Leaving The Voice

Opening up about the biggest highlight of his run on the show, Shelton said, “I met my wife while I was here, so I would say that’s easily been the best thing. That’s been the best thing about my entire career journey, really, you know? Who would have ever — no one could have ever predicted that.”

“Outside of that, I think the biggest surprise for me is just how much I’ve learned about music,” he continued. “Just when you think you know it all, you learn when you work on this show that there’s so much cool music out there. New music, old music, different artists, different genres. I came into this show as a coach thinking that I knew a lot, and I did know a lot of country music, but I didn’t know crap about anything else. It’s just been fun to be exposed to all kinds of different music.”

Blake Shelton; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC
Blake Shelton; Photo Courtesy of The Voice/NBC

Reba McEntire To Replace Blake Shelton On The Voice

And while Shelton will no longer be spinning around in his red chair come Season 24, NBC has already announced the coaches who will round out the next panel. Stefani will be returning after a break from the show as well as John Legend. Season 23 newbie Niall Horan will also return to his seat while Reba McEntire will fill in the role of Shelton as the second coach to ever represent the country genre. 

“I’m excited about Reba coming on board,” Shelton said. “It’s kind of meant to be, I think, from the versions of the stories that I’ve heard, she was the original coach that they wanted here on The Voice to be the country representation, and so now that I’ve had my run, she can finally have the job that she was meant to have to begin with. It will be fun because I know she’s a fan of the show.” 

At this point, Blake Shelton has two artists vying for the win while his fellow coaches each have one. Shelton is also the coach with the most wins, with nine total, which means he could secure an even 10 before the end of his run. 

The Voice season finale airs Tuesday, (May 23) at 9/8c on NBC and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

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Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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