Adam Levine addressed his decision to leave “The Voice” in an Instagram post on Friday, saying “it was time to move on” after 16 seasons on the singing competition show.
An hour earlier, Carson Daly broke the news on “Today” show that Levine would be leaving.
Just two weeks ago today, NBC announced to media that Levine would be returning for the fall installment, Season 17, as would Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Blake Shelton. But Levine had been talking on set for a while about leaving the singing competition show, a network insider tells TheWrap.
Gwen Stefani is set to replace the Maroon 5 frontman on this fall’s run of the hit singing competition. Stefani, the lead singer of No Doubt, has served as a “Voice” coach on Seasons 7, 9 and 12. She’s also been an advisor twice. Levine’s departure will make Shelton the longest-tenured coach, and the only one with the program for each run since its 2011 launch.
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Here are Levine’s full remarks:
About 8 years ago, 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. First thank you must go to Mark. We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going. After the first day of shooting, I sat there, stunned. I said to myself “theres some magic here. Something is definitely happening.” 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. Thank you to every single coach I ever sat in those chairs with. That is shared experience that is singularly ours. We have that for life. Thank you to everyone who supported this long strange and amazing left turn into a place I never thought I’d go. Thank you Carson Daly for babysitting the musicians and making sure our shoes were tied and we had our lunch boxes. You are the backbone of this thing and we appreciate you more than you know. Audrey, thank you for being perhaps the most patient person in all the free world. 4 musicians all at once is a lot. Sainthood is imminent. Thank you to Paul Mirkovich and the band for their ridiculously hard work and learning more songs than maybe any band ever. Thank you to the people behind the scenes who do the real work and make this machine hum. To the amazingly talented vocalists who competed on the show and blew my mind on a daily basis. And, BLAKE F—IN’ SHELTON. 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. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, Im just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly and John, take care of the cowboy and I’m sure I’ll be back to say hi very very soon. So much love to you both. And lastly, to all of the loyal voice fans, there’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on. Your support has meant EVERYTHING. And Lastly, I’d like to thank my manager Jordan for convincing me to take that meeting. What an amazing ride. Thank you all so much.