Wow! Adam Levine has decided not to return to The Voice for season 17 in the fall after all. Host Carson Daly made the announcement on the Today Show this morning. Gwen Stefani will be taking his place
After 16 seasons, @adamlevine has decided to leave @NBCTheVoice and @gwenstefani will take his place in the chair for season 17! pic.twitter.com/dpsb0qhqZu
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 24, 2019
During his run on The Voice, which includes all 16 seasons so far, Adam nabbed three wins: Javier Colon (Season 1), Tessanne Chin (Season 5), and Jordan Smith (Season 9). His last win occurred in the fall of 2015.
Gwen Stefani, who met boyfriend, coach Blake Shelton on the show, previously served as coach for The Voice in seasons 7, 9 and 12. Blake will be the only remaining coach to have sat on the panel for all 17 season. Kelly Clarkson will round at the panel, returning to the show for her 3rd season.
NBC announced on May 10 that the entire panel–Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend would be returning. So what happened? Did Adam jump as reported, or was he actually pushed? There have been calls in the media for Adam to take a break.
He is the least popular coach on the panel. Fans were calling for his ouster after throwing his team member DeAndre Nico under the bus. This season, he lost nearly his entire team–save two–at the cross battles. The rest were eliminated the following week at the Top 13. He had no singers the last two weeks of competition. Did Adam take the hint from press and fans? Was he nervous he’d only get one and two chair turns next season?
The Voice struggled ratings-wise throughout the live shows, with American Idol regularly beating them. The finale notched a 1.1 in the key 18-49 demo, the show’s lowest rated finale ever.
However, Adam still has business with NBC/Universal. He executive produces the new summer competition, Songland, which premieres after America’s Got Talent on Tuesday May 28.
Blake Shelton takes to twitter to comment on Adam’s departure. “Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore,” Blake writes. “After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.”
Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) May 24, 2019
And Kelly Clarkson: “Found out last night about @adamlevine leaving The Voice & while I get that he’s been doing the show 4 a while & wants to step away, it will be weird showing up 4 work & he’s not there ? To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!”
Found out last night about @adamlevine leaving The Voice & while I get that he’s been doing the show 4 a while & wants to step away, it will be weird showing up 4 work & he’s not there ? To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) May 24, 2019
He has yet to speak out himself on his sudden departure. More to come, I’m sure.
UPDATE: Adam posted a statement on Instagram: “And, BLAKE F*****’ SHELTON. I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried. Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books…And lastly, to all of the loyal voice fans, there’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on. Your support has meant EVERYTHING.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2ZDdmDc3G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
