Beloved OG coach Adam Levine is just four days away from his long-anticipated comeback on The Voice. The Maroon 5 frontman was one of four original coaches when the show premiered on NBC in 2011, alongside Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton. The friendly(ish) rivalry that blossomed between Levine and Shelton helped keep viewers tuning in to NBC week after week. Now, the “One More Night” crooner returns to The Voice for his first-ever season without his frenemy. And apparently, it wasn’t enough for Levine to take over the “Ol’ Red” singer’s big red chair. He also had to get in a joke at Shelton’s expense.

What Adam Levine Is Most Looking Forward To This Season

After a 10-season absence, Adam Levine is reclaiming his seat on The Voice stage with a renewed outlook. The three-time Grammy winner, 45, is no longer prioritizing competition.

“It’s an opportunity for us to share our experiences with the people on the show. And it always has been that,” he told People. “I mean, you definitely get competitive that those juices flow for sure. But I don’t see it as a competition and I don’t think that I can bring anything other than what I have just from life and a career.”

Why There’s No Replacing Blake Shelton

Despite his newfound Zen, taking a jab at Blake Shelton proved too irresistible for the “Moves Like Jagger” hitmaker.

“The best part about being back with The Voice Family is that I don’t have to deal with Blake Shelton,” Adam Levine quipped. “”I just don’t like him. So, it’s been great not having to be around him. He’s a bad friend…”

 

“I’m just kidding,” he clarified. “Of course, I love Blake. And I had to open with a Blake joke because he’s not on the show anymore, yet they still continue.”

Is Levine taking applications for a new frenemy? Perhaps fellow veterans Michael Bublé or John Legend, or newcomer Kelsea Ballerini?

“No. No, no, definitely not. There’s no replacing [Shelton],” he said. “The thing that happened with Blake and I, it was so organic, and it was based on our friendship.”

Soon enough, the duo realized that “people loved watching us talk s— to each other,” Levine said.

“Our friendship was based on this not knowing what the hell was happening, and being silly, and stupid with each other… It was very organic, and very unplanned and spontaneous.”