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Fans were thrilled to learn that Adam Levine is coming back to The Voice after nearly six years, but it won’t be the same without his bromance with former coach Blake Shelton. Keep reading to see if Blake Shelton is returning to The Voice with Adam Levine in 2025.
Is Blake Shelton returning to The Voice with Adam Levine?
As of right now, nine-time winning coach Blake Shelton, who exited The Voice in 2022, is not slated to return with Adam Levine next year, but that could change. News first broke that the Maroon 5 frontman is coming back to the show in June 2024, when NBC announced the Season 27 coaches.
Joining Levine on the coaching panel is newcomer Kelsey Ballerini, returning coach John Legend and Michael Bublé, who will be making his coaching debut this fall during Season 26. While Shelton’s name is not currently on the roster, Season 27 doesn’t air until Spring 2025, so there’s plenty of time for a casting shakeup.
In fact, rumors have been swirling that Levine is trying to get his frenemy back on the show. “Adam has got some ideas, and he’s not afraid to share them, especially when it comes to his fellow coaches,” a source told Life & Style in July 2024. The insider added: “Adam would love it if Blake Shelton came back … He knows that their bromance would make headlines again and boost ratings.” If Shelton were to come back for Season 27, one of the already announced coaches would have to be bumped. Levine is seemingly aware of this, though, as the source noted: “Adam is definitely stirring the pot!”
During their time together on the show, Levine and Shelton had a notorious love-hate relationship. Their playful jabs at one another and their witty banter were easily a highlight of the show, and something recent seasons have lacked.
The pair played into the competitive dynamic on-screen, but off-screen, the two artists grew to be very close friends. Shelton gave a hilarious yet touching speech at Levine’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2017, and the “Payphone” singer returned the favor in 2023 for Shelton’s ceremony. “It makes me sick to my stomach to say this to you,” Levine joked to Shelton, before adding: “I’m really proud of you man and I love you.”
Levine also gave the country crooner a shout-out on Instagram after his 2019 departure from the show. “I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried. Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books,” he wrote alongside a Rolling Stone cover featuring the four original coaches. “Whatever this whole surreal experience was, Im just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life.”
Shelton also spoke about Levine’s departure, telling Extra: “I didn’t expect it. 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.” Shelton added that he “was pretty upset that Adam was gone.”
If the “Boys ‘Round Here” singer were to return with Levine for Season 27 to reignite the bromance, he would most likely take Ballerini’s spot. The only exception to this was Season 25, which featured both Reba McEntire and country duo Dan + Shay, a casting choice that was met with fan backlash for being perceived as “too much country.”
While everyone would love to see the dynamic duo back in action together, fans are also looking forward to Ballerini’s debut. “I will def watch this season now .. just for you ❤️,” one fan commented on an NBC post that announced the “Miss Me More” singer as the newest coach. “I cannot love this enough!! So excited for this next season!!” another fan wrote.
The Voice is available to stream on Peacock.