Just two weeks ago, The Voice revealed that all four coaches from Season 16, John Legend, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Kelly Clarkson, would be “back for more.” The show tweeted the announcement saying, “This iconic squad is returning to The Voice next season.”
https://twitter.com/NBCTheVoice/status/1126882139604013057
During a segment on the TODAY Show Friday morning (May 24), Carson Daly revealed the shocking news that despite confirming he’d come back next season, Adam Levine had quit the show.
“After sixteen seasons, Adam Levine, our beloved coach and friend, has decided to leave ‘The Voice,” Daly said.
The Voice host and TODAY correspondent went on to remind fans that Levine was one of the original coaches and had won the show three times.
Shelton, Levine’s longtime frenemy, reacted to the news on Twitter after the public announcement was made.
“Having a hard time wrapping my head around [Adam Levine] not being at [The Voice] anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot,” he said.
Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) May 24, 2019
A couple hours after Daly told the world the shocking news, Levine broke his silence on social media. He posted a Rolling Stone magazine cover featuring the four original coaches with a long note.
“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,” he said. “We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going.”
Although his time in his iconic red chair has come to an end, he said it was “a life shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever.”
He continued to thank Burnett, every coach the The Voice has had over the years, NBC, Carson Daly – who he called the backbone of the show, everyone who supported him during filming, a woman named Audrey, Paul Mirkovic and The Voice band, the crew, and “Blake F**KIN’ Shelton.”
“I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried,” he said. “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.”
A rare moment of tenderness. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z6fF7WKuWk
— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) May 21, 2019
He also said he’s sure he’ll be back very soon to say “hi,” so a return to the show in one way or another is not completely off the table.
He also paid tribute to his childhood friend and manager, Jordan Feldstein, who passed away suddenly in 2017, writing, “And Lastly [sic], I’d like to thank my manager Jordan for convincing me to take that meeting.”
He ended the note by saying, “What an amazing ride. Thank you all so much. ❤️”
You can see his full post below.