Season 23 of “The Voice” will be the last for longtime judge Blake Shelton, NBC announced Tuesday.
He will be joined in his final season by new coach Chance the Rapper and former One Direction star Niall Horan and returning coach Kelly Clarkson. Carson Daly, host of Season 23, starting in January 2023, will also return as host.
“I’ve been battling this for a while and I’ve decided it’s time for me to step away from ‘The Voice’ after Season 23,” Shelton said in a statement. “This show has changed my life for the better in every way and it will always feel like home for me. It’s been one hell of a ride these 12 years of chair turn and I want to thank everyone at ‘The Voice’ from NBC, every producer, writer, musician, crew and catering people, you are the best. ,
He continued, “It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I built a lifelong relationship with Carson and every single one of my fellow coaches, including my wife Gwen Stefani Huh!” Stephanie, who had been an intermittent coach on the music reality competition, married Shelton in July 2021.
Shelton is the most winning coach on “The Voice”, with eight of his musical prodigies standing as the final vocalist.
“I’m thrilled to be joining ‘The Voice’ as a coach for next season,” said Chance, whose new single with Joey Big$$, “The High and the Lows,” dropped this summer. “I’m excited to help other artists take it to the next level and make the most of this life-changing experience. Get ready for the #teamchance.”
Horan said: “I look forward to meeting the new crop of talent and mentoring us while we fight it out with other teams!” Since One Direction’s breakup in 2015, Horan has released two solo albums: 2020’s “Heartbreak Weather” and 2017’s “Flickr.”
