NBC announced Tuesday the renewal of The Voice for its 23rd edition and the departure of Blake Shelton from the show. The Voice Season 23, which is set to air in the spring of 2023, will be the last for the country singer.

Shelton has appeared as judge or coach in all of the 22 seasons of the singing competition. 

“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 said in a statement. “This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me.”

“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 said in a statement. “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 my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani! 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. Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at The Voice chasing their dreams. It wouldn’t happen without you!” 

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Who is Blake Shelton?

American country music singer Blake Shelton made his debut with the single “Austin” in 2001. Austin, which is a Platinum-certified debut album, produced two more top 20 entries (All Over Me and Ol’ Red).

His second and third albums, 2003’s The Dreamer and 2004’s Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill, are gold and platinum. His fourth album, Pure BS (2007), was re-issued in 2008 with a cover of Michael Bublé’s pop hit Home as one of the bonus tracks.

His fifth album, Startin’ Fires was released in November 2008, followed by the extended plays Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight in 2010, and the albums Red River Blue in 2011, Based on a True Story… in 2013, Bringing Back the Sunshine in 2014, If I’m Honest in 2016, Texoma Shore in 2017, and Fully Loaded: God’s Country in 2019.

As of December 2020, Shelton has charted 40 singles, including 28 number ones, 17 of which were consecutive.

Shelton has received nine Grammy Award nominations, including two for Best Country Album. 

Shelton married long time girlfriend Kaynette Gern on November 17, 2003, and the two got divorced in 2006. In 2005, Shelton met singer Miranda Lambert at the CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets Concert. After dating for four years, Shelton and Lambert got married on May 14, 2011, in Boerne, Texas.

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In July 2015, Shelton and Lambert announced their divorce. In late 2015, it was announced that Shelton had started dating his colleague from The Voice, Gwen Stefani.

Shelton said he and Stefani first bonded over their ongoing divorces in the summer of 2015 as they filmed the ninth season of The Voice

On October 27, 2020, Shelton and Stefani announced their engagement after five years of dating. They got married on July 3, 2021.