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The show must go on…but this time without Adam Levine.
After 16 seasons on The Voice and one of only two coaches (the other being Blake Shelton) who have never missed a season, it has been confirmed that Adam Levine is leaving the popular series ahead of season 17, and in his place Gwen Stefani is returning as a coach.
The Voice host Carson Daly revealed the news while on the Today show during the Pop Start segment. In his announcement Daly said it was Levine’s decision to leave and added he “will always be cherished member of The Voice family, and of course we wish him nothing but the best.” “After 16 seasons, Adam Levine, our beloved coach and friend, has decided to leave The Voice,” Daly began. “Adam was one of the original coaches that launched the show, winning the competition three times and inspiring many of the artists he worked closely with over the years.”
Daly then announced Stefani’s return in Levine’s place. “With Adam’s departure you might be wondering, ‘Well, who’s going to be sitting in that coveted big, giant red chair?’” Daly said. “And I’m happy to share this morning that Gwen Stefani will be returning for season 17. Gwen has sat in the chair before. She met her current boyfriend, Blake Shelton, through the show and we’re looking forward to having Gwen back.”
Over his 16 seasons as a coach, Levine has won three times: first with Javier Colon in season one, then with Tessanne Chin in season five, and again in season nine with Jordan Smith. Most recently all the coaches lost out to brand new coach John Legend who won season sixteen with contestant Maelyn Jarmon.
Although Levine hasn’t commented publicly on his exit yet, his friend and co-coach Blake Shelton shared a message on Twitter, writing, “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.”
With Levine not returning, season seventeen’s coaches are set to be Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Gwen Stefani. Stefani previously served as a coach in seasons seven, nine and twelve.