Blake Shelton has officially left 'The Voice': How his final season went down

Elise Brisco, USA TODAY
Updated ·5 min read

Blake Shelton has officially left "The Voice."

The country singer announced in October that he would be ending his tenure with the NBC singing competition after Season 23, making him the last original judge to leave since the show's debut in 2011. During his time on "The Voice," he's coached the most winning contestants and met his wife, former judge Gwen Stefani. 

"This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me," Shelton said in his statement announcing his departure.

Here's everything to know about Shelton's final season and how his "Voice" family commemorated the moment.

Blake Shelton is constantly reminding the world he's leaving u0022The Voice.u0022 Here's how the show is recognizing his exit.
Blake Shelton is constantly reminding the world he's leaving u0022The Voice.u0022 Here's how the show is recognizing his exit.

Did Blake Shelton win in his final season?

Shelton got close to winning his final season, but freshman coach Niall Horan prevailed. The final showdown was between Team Blake singer Grace West and Team Niall singer Gina Miles.

West performed a soaring cover of Shelton’s “Lonely Tonight," joined by her loyal coach for the performance. Miles and Horan sang a soulful performance of “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel.

In the end, Miles was crowned the winner.

Despite Shelton's loss, the final episode still honored the singer with special performances, reflective montages and there was even a retired denim jacket that hung in the rafters of the competition show's sound stage.

Some of Shelton’s famous pals joined him for his farewell show, including onstage appearances by former “Voice” coaches Adam Levine and CeeLo Green. Green performed a lively ‘80s medley alongside former Team Blake contestants in honor of Shelton, while Levine greeted Shelton with a playfully heartwarming message at the start of the show.

The coaches that weren't able to make the special episode sent Shelton off in video clips taking jabs at his dancing, his arguments and how he turned "The Voice" into a country show.

Season 23 was one big Shelton farewell

Season 23 became all about Shelton's final season.

Before the season kicked off, his fellow judges, including newcomers Horan and Chance the Rapper, made a parody of "The Office" centered around the singer's constant reminders that it's his last season.

"It's definitely about Blake," fellow judge Kelly Clarkson said in the skit.

In other promo videos for the current season, Horan gave his best impression of Shelton's southern drawl, mimicking the seasoned coach's recruiting tactic.

"I'm Blake Shelton. This is my last season on 'The Voice' and I would be honored if you were to be on the last ever Team Blake," Horan said.

During blind auditions, Shelton solidified his exit even more by giving contestants who join his team a custom T-shirt reading: "I'm on Blake's last team."

Even Jimmy Fallon got in on Shelton's last season, surprising him with a blind audition.The late-night host sang a Michael McDonald song, leading three judges to turn their chairs around.

However, Shelton did not turn his chair around so Fallon approached the judge's chair to punch the button for him. 

"I'm across the parking lot doing our show 'That's my Jam' and I texted Carson (Daly) I said 'I gotta come over'," Fallon said. "Hey buddy, 23 Seasons, congratulations. You're a legend."

Why did Blake Shelton leave 'The Voice?'

When the "God's Country" singer announced his departure he said he'd been "wrestling with" the decision to leave for a while. But he said he hopes to use his time away from the show to focus on his blended family with Stefani.

Since his marriage to Stefani, Shelton has become a stepfather to Stefani's three children from her first marriage with Gavin Rossdale: Kingston, 16,  Zuma 14, and Apollo, 9.

"I'm not the first person that I think about anymore," Shelton told Access Hollywood in February on being a stepdad. "I think the only way for me to do that right is to step away from being committed to something like 'The Voice' that demands a lot of your time."

Who is replacing Blake Shelton on the 'The Voice?'

Reba McEntire will fill Shelton's cowboy boots for Season 24 of "The Voice," the show announced in May.

McEntire has served as an adviser to the coaches earlier this season and will join returning coaches Gwen Stefani and John Legend in the seat next to current judge Horan, who is set to return after his big win.

Voice" coaches have come and gone since the singing competition's inception in 2011, with Shelton being a mainstay.

Original judges for the first season included Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Levine and Shelton. Other judges throughout the years have included Shakira, Usher, Stefani, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Camila Cabello.

'The Voice' Season 23 recaps

Contributing: Edward Segarra

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake Shelton 'The Voice' exit: How his final season went down

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