Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and More React to Adam Levine’s Shocking Exit From ‘The Voice’

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Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and More React to Adam Levine's Shocking Exit From 'The Voice'

The Voice will never be the same. Shortly after it was announced that Adam Levine will be leaving his spot as a coach on the reality singing competition, his fellow cast members expressed their emotions surrounding the unexpected news. Host Carson Daly revealed the “She Will Be Loved” singer’s exit on the Today show on Friday, May 24. Minutes later, the series released an official statement on Twitter. “Our friend and coach Adam Levine made the decision not to return next season. We’re going to miss Adam, but The Voice is family and with family it’s ’see you soon,’ never ‘goodbye,’” the statement read. It was also revealed that coach Gwen Stefani will be returning to The Voice to take the Maroon 5 frontman’s spot for season 17. The statement continued, “Gwen Stefani returns with Kelly [Clarkson], John [Legend], and Blake [Shelton] on the Voice stage this fall. Join us in welcoming back Gwen, and sharing our heartfelt gratitude to Adam.” [jwplayer kqgwIH9W-l3ahXupL] The American Horror Story alum, 40, who has been a coach on The Voice since it premiered in 2011, also released a heartfelt message after the news of his departure broke. “About 8 years ago, [executive producer] Mark Burnett convinced us to sign up for this show where you sit in a big red chair with your back turned away from the singers on the stage,” he began via Instagram. “It went on to be a life shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever. Thank you NBC for signing me up. I am truly honored to have been a part of something I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life.” Levine went on to thank everyone he worked with on the series, but saved a shout-out to Shelton, 42, who also joined The Voice upon its creation. “BLAKE F—KIN’ SHELTON. I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried,” the Los Angeles native wrote. “Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, Im just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life.” The “Moves Like Jagger” crooner explained that it was simply “time to move on” from the musical series, but he will always cherish the “amazing ride.” A source told Us Weekly exclusively that Levine’s “decision was a difficult one for him,” but he ultimately chose to walk away because he has disliked the show’s format for multiple seasons. Keep scrolling to see how Levine’s Voice costars reacted to his exit:

Credit: Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and More React to Adam Levine's Shocking Exit From 'The Voice'

The Voice will never be the same. Shortly after it was announced that Adam Levine will be leaving his spot as a coach on the reality singing competition, his fellow cast members expressed their emotions surrounding the unexpected news. Host Carson Daly revealed the “She Will Be Loved” singer’s exit on the Today show on Friday, May 24. Minutes later, the series released an official statement on Twitter. “Our friend and coach Adam Levine made the decision not to return next season. We’re going to miss Adam, but The Voice is family and with family it’s ’see you soon,’ never ‘goodbye,’” the statement read. It was also revealed that coach Gwen Stefani will be returning to The Voice to take the Maroon 5 frontman’s spot for season 17. The statement continued, “Gwen Stefani returns with Kelly [Clarkson], John [Legend], and Blake [Shelton] on the Voice stage this fall. Join us in welcoming back Gwen, and sharing our heartfelt gratitude to Adam.” [jwplayer kqgwIH9W-l3ahXupL] The American Horror Story alum, 40, who has been a coach on The Voice since it premiered in 2011, also released a heartfelt message after the news of his departure broke. “About 8 years ago, [executive producer] Mark Burnett convinced us to sign up for this show where you sit in a big red chair with your back turned away from the singers on the stage,” he began via Instagram. “It went on to be a life shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever. Thank you NBC for signing me up. I am truly honored to have been a part of something I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life.” Levine went on to thank everyone he worked with on the series, but saved a shout-out to Shelton, 42, who also joined The Voice upon its creation. “BLAKE F—KIN’ SHELTON. I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried,” the Los Angeles native wrote. “Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, Im just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life.” The “Moves Like Jagger” crooner explained that it was simply “time to move on” from the musical series, but he will always cherish the “amazing ride.” A source told Us Weekly exclusively that Levine’s “decision was a difficult one for him,” but he ultimately chose to walk away because he has disliked the show’s format for multiple seasons. Keep scrolling to see how Levine’s Voice costars reacted to his exit:

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Christina Aguilera

The “Fall in Line” singer, who costarred with Levine in six seasons of the NBC reality competition, told Entertainment Tonight that she thinks the Maroon 5 frontman’s post-Voice career is “gonna be great” and that “it’s great” that Stefani is rejoining the show.

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John Legend

“We’re gonna miss him,” the “All of Me” singer told Extra. “He has been a part of the show since the very beginning. This was my first year, and he has been a friend of mine for a long time. I have known him since before The Voice. I think he was ready and thought it was the right time.”

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Blake Shelton

Shelton’s heartfelt message to the Maroon 5 frontman featured some of the duo’s signature banter. “Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore,” the country singer tweeted. “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.”

The country star elaborated on Levine’s exit in an interview with Extra in June 2019. “I didn’t expect it,” he said. “I didn’t expect Adam to pull the trigger like he did. … We all knew he was getting to the point — it was 16 seasons he had been doing the show, and it’s hard to keep him focused on anything. He was ready to move on. … I was pretty upset that Adam was gone.”

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Kelly Clarkson

The American Idol season 1 winner, who joined The Voice as a coach in February 2018, admitted that it will be strange to be on set without Levine. She wrote on Twitter: “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!”

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Chevel Shepherd

While Shepherd won The Voice season 15 as a part of Clarkson’s team, she still expressed her sadness to hear that Levine is leaving the show. “Saddened by this, but @NBCSongland is going to be amazing,” she tweeted, referencing the new NBC reality series that Levine is executive producing. “So glad i got the chance to know an amazing human being such as @adamlevine.”

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Sundance Head

The Voice season 11 winner tweeted, “The Voice is a Family and it really is see ya soon! Wish @adamlevine the best. He was awesome to talk to & be around. @NBCTheVoice @blakeshelton.” (Head was on Team Blake.)

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Carson Daly

The Voice host, who has been on the series since it premiered in 2011, spoke about Levine’s departure on Friday’s episode of the Today show. “After 16 seasons, Adam Levine, our beloved coach and friend, has decided to leave The Voice,” the TRL alum said. “Many viewers will miss watching his frenemy relationship with Blake Shelton. He’ll always be a cherished member of The Voice family. Of course, we wish him nothing but the best.”