Blake Shelton shares ONCE situation that could bring him back to The Voice
Blake Shelton says he has left The Voice for good after 23 seasons on the NBC competition series. Still, the country star admits there is one specific circumstance that might entice him to return for a single, special season.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the grand opening of Ole Red Las Vegas on April 17, Shelton opened up about the personal reasons behind his exit and what, if anything, could draw him back to the iconic coaching chair.
“I miss the people,” Shelton said, describing the close bonds he formed with the cast and crew. “Those people became like family to me — from the crew to the producers. I was with them more than I was with my family… I miss that.” At the same time, he was clear that he does not miss the day-to-day responsibilities of the job itself.
Shelton explained that his decision to leave came after he realized he was losing the passion required to serve contestants at his best. “I totally needed a break from that, because if I wasn’t into it then it wasn’t good for whoever was on my team,” he said. “I don’t want to be someone who’s just going through the motions. Those artists need somebody fighting for them.” When he started to feel disconnected — unable to remember which season it was or who the other coaches were — he knew it was time to step away.
Over a 12-year run on the show, Shelton celebrated nine victories with members of his teams. Leaving after such a long tenure has required adjustments to his daily routine and lifestyle, but he told ET that each day feels a little better and that he stands by his decision to move on.
Blake Shelton would be up for a reunion of The Voice OG coaches panel
Despite his firm stance on stepping away, Shelton left the door ajar for one high-profile possibility: a reunion of the original judging panel. If NBC could reunite the show’s founding coaches — including Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green — Shelton said he might consider returning for a single, celebratory season.
“If they were ever able to put together the original four coaches again, maybe I’d return for one season, a one-off,” he said. “That would be fun for me… That would be something I would be interested in doing.” The idea of revisiting the early chemistry and camaraderie that helped define the show appealed to him as a special occasion rather than a permanent comeback.
That scenario, however, faces practical obstacles. Christina Aguilera departed the series after season 10 in 2016, and in the years since she has publicly criticized elements of the program. She did not send a special message during the season 23 finale — an episode that partly celebrated Shelton’s long tenure — which suggested she is unlikely to rejoin the series without significant incentive.
Shelton acknowledged the challenges of assembling the original lineup but held on to the possibility as a hypothetical that would be worth considering. Even if a reunion were unlikely, the thought of one-off, nostalgic moments on television clearly resonates with him and with viewers who remember the show’s early seasons.
For now, Blake Shelton appears focused on life beyond the coaching chair: reconnecting with family and friends, enjoying new projects, and adjusting to a pace that suits him. He emphasizes that leaving the show was a decision made out of respect for the artists he coached — and out of a desire to give them the full commitment they deserve. While he’s content with his choice, he’s open to unique opportunities that honor the show’s legacy and the relationships he built there.