Shelton, who has participated in the program for 23 straight seasons and amassed 9 victories, revealed his own exit from the show in October.
Gwen Stefani is expressing her love for Blake Shelton as he is beginning to reflect on his big night. In honor of Shelton's final days on The Voice after 23 seasons, Stefani sent a heartfelt message for him on social media on Monday, May 22. Along with a picture of Shelton grinning, Stefani, 53, said on her Instagram Stories, "So proud of this guy. Last Monday on The Voice, ever." Later that day, the country music icon, 46, expressed his feelings by taking one final look back at the reality show in an Instagram post of his own.
"Can't believe it's been 23 seasons of @nbcthevoice... and especially can't believe today is my final episode. It's bittersweet. When we signed up for season 1, I don't think any of us knew what this was going to be... These past 12 years I have made lifelong friends and memories. I've had the great opportunity to coach some really talented artists, 9 who have taken home #TeamBlake wins (let's make that 10 tonight?), and watch these artists grow so much from the show," Shelton described a selection of images of himself from over the years on the program.
He concluded, "Thank you to everyone... the crew, the coaches, the contestants, the fans, and my wife who have made these some really great years. Love y'all!!!!!!" On Tuesday, May 23 after the initial upload, Stefani published a video of the performer jiggling a ball and declaring, "I'm going to The Voice for the last time." Shelton spoke candidly about his feelings earlier this month on his wife's homecoming. "Well, I'm happy," Shelton said. "When I finally concluded that I was going to call it a day last year, you know, she even said, 'Well, I guess they probably won't have me back ever again.'"
"And I go, 'What are you talking? They invited you to be a coach for seasons before you and I were ever thing.' And she goes, 'Oh, yeah, that's right. They did do that.' I go. 'Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're still going to want Gwen Stefani to be a coach.' Then sure enough, you know, she's already gonna be back and she was excited to get the call," he added. Several well-known performers who previously coached alongside Shelton on the program, including Camila Cabello, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, John Legend, and Adam Levine, will make a comeback for the finale for his farewell episode.
Past mentors Dolly Parton and Stefani, as well as Usher and Pharrell Williams, will also make special appearances. In October, Shelton revealed his own exit from the show. He told PEOPLE that he was putting his music business first while also wanting to spend more time with Stefani and his stepsons. Shelton has participated in the program for 23 straight seasons and has amassed nine victories since its premiere in 2011.
References:
https://people.com/country/blake-shelton-is-stepping-away-from-the-voice-after-23-seasons/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmaXgJupDJ/
https://www.instagram.com/gwenstefani/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris
