Blake Shelton will soon begin Season 23 of The Voice, which will also mark his final season on the hit NBC TV show. The Grand Ole Opry member announced last year that this upcoming season would be his last, due in part to wanting to spend more time with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and his three stepsons. But now, Shelton reveals that he actually considered leaving a few years ago, but remained with The Voice because of the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit,” Shelton admits on Today. “And then, because of COVID, I didn’t want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind. I mean, this show changed my life. I’ll stay here until the world kind of gets back to normal again.”
The Oklahoma native had no idea in 2011, when The Voice began, how much the television series would change every aspect of his career, for the better.
“When I came on as a coach on this show, I mean, everything in my life was turned upside down,” Shelton reflects. “And in a good way. This has been incredible, but it’s time for not even what’s next. A little bit of nothing would be nice.”
After Shelton and Stefani wed in 2021, he became even more aware of the role he had in the lives of Stefani’s three sons (from her marriage to Gavin Rossdale), and the impact he wanted to have on their lives.
“If I walked away from my career at this time, the only thing that I run the risk of is having regrets that I’m missing out on some more important things in life,” Shelton tells People. “For now, that’s our kids. This isn’t about me anymore and never will be again.
“Even though I’m a stepparent, I take that job very seriously,” he continues. “The kids see me as a very important person in their life. [When they ask], ‘Why isn’t Blake here?’ I take that stuff to heart. I’ve made plenty of money, but you can’t buy time back. I don’t want any regrets.”
Shelton will be joined for Season 23 of The Voice by Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper , who will all serve as coaches this year. Season 23 of The Voice will premiere on March 6 at 8:00 PM ET on NBC