The Season 23 finale of The Voice also marked Blake Shelton‘s final season as a coach. The country music superstar, who has been with the show since its inception, was honored with a farewell tribute by several of the winners on Shelton’s teams over the years, including Bryce Leatherwood, Todd Tilghman, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Sundance Head, Craig Wayne Boyd, Jermaine Paul, and RaeLynn.
They were joined on stage by select finalists, including The Swon Brothers, Ian Flantigan, Dia Frampton, Xenia, as a montage of clips from Shelton’s time on The Voice over the years played, while his former teammates sang Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”
“I didn’t realize that it would mean so much to me when I started this, but I loved being able to help that person trying to attain their dreams. … My favorite thing about going into the blind auditions is that, at any moment, we could be hearing the next superstar,” Shelton said in the video.
“I feel beyond lucky to have been able to call The Voice my home for the past 12 years,” he added.
Last fall, Shelton announced that Season 23 would be his last, marking the end of an era for The Voice.
“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,” Shelton said in part “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 [Daly] and every single one [of] my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!” he continued. “I have to give a huge shoutout 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.”
Thank you, @nbcthevoice. pic.twitter.com/m1xPgH2Cxn
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) October 11, 2022
The Grand Ole Opry member later revealed that it was largely because of his three stepsons, whom he gained after marrying Gwen Stefani in 2021, that he was leaving the award-winning reality TV talent show.
“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 told 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.”
Earlier this month, it was announced that Reba McEntire iwould be replacing Shelton as a coach on The Voice.
There’s a new Coach in town! See you all this Fall! #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/tLxQIuXtRc
— Reba McEntire (@reba) May 15, 2023
“I’m excited about Reba coming on board,” Shelton told E! News. “It’s meant to be, I think. I think from the versions of the story 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, for her to finally get the job that she was meant to have to begin with, it will be fun. I know she’s a fan of the show, and so she’s probably had ideas of how she would do this for a long time anyway.
“I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like for those kids to get a chance to work with Reba,” he adds. “She’s one of my heroes. She’s an icon.”