Blake Shelton Reveals If & When He Would Return to ‘The Voice’ After Coaching Exit

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Blake Shelton is sharing how NBC’s “The Voice” could lure him back to his coaching chair after he officially leaves the show following spring 2023’s season 23.

In an interview with ET Online after the show’s 2022 finale, Shelton said he would happily return to the singing reality TV show competition if he were asked to mentor for his wife and fellow “The Voice” coach Gwen Stefani.

“Oh my God, I’d be honored to be Gwen’s mentor,” Shelton told the outlet. “Whatever she tells me to do, I’m gonna do.”

Shelton said he felt emotional about the fact that season 22 was the last time he and pop star Stefani would serve together as coaches for the show.

“It will be the last time she and I do this together, and it is crazy to think of how the show changed my life,” he told the outlet. “I was so wrapped up in this that I didn’t even think about that, and now you’re trying to make me emotional!”

What Comes Next for Shelton?

Shelton has been a fixture on “The Voice” since it began airing more than a decade ago. But according to a source speaking with ET Online, Shelton now wants to focus on other personal and professional projects.

“Blake will continue to focus on ‘The Voice,’ the new season and also his new show, ‘Barmageddon,’ music, his 2023 tour, and – of course – his family and life on his farm,” the source told ET Online. “He’s just focusing on other projects both personally and professionally.”

Stefani echoed that sentiment last November, when a reporter from Extra asked the “Don’t Speak” singer why Shelton was leaving the eight-time Emmy award winning show.

“He just got to a point, he just wants time at his ranch time to do the other things he loves to do,” she said.

Stefani has three children — Kingston, 14, Zuma, 12, and Apollo, 6 — from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale. Shelton is close with the boys and even asked them for permission to propose to their mother, according to People.

The entertainment power couple officially tied the knot in July 2021 in an intimate ceremony on their Oklahoma ranch. “The Voice” host and Shelton’s long-time friend Carson Daly acted as the officiant for the wedding.

Shelton Wrestled With the Idea of Leaving ‘The Voice’

In his announcement that he was leaving “The Voice”, posted on Instagram on October 11, 2022, Shelton said he had been wrestling with the decision for some time.

“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,” Shelton shared. “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.”

He added, “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 my fellow Coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!”

Shelton’s team has won “The Voice” nine times. He won in season 2 with Jermaine Paul, season 3 with Cassadee Pope, season 4 with Danielle Bradbery, season 7 with Craig Wayne Boyd, season 11 with Sundance Head, season 13 with Chloe Kohanski, season 18 with Todd Tilghman, and most recently in season 20 with Cam Anthony. He also pulled through with the win in season 22 with country singer Bryce Leatherwood.

“The Voice” is set to return in the spring of 2023 with coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper.