‘The Voice’: Blake Shelton Not Shocked Over Adam Levine’s Exit, Thankful Gwen Stefani’s Back

“The Voice” fans were shocked when NBC announced that Adam Levine, one of the original coaches since the show started, will not be returning to Season 17 and will be replaced by Gwen Stefani. Now fellow coach Blake Shelton shares how he feels going on with the show without the Maroon 5 frontman and reveals why Levine’s exit was no longer a surprise to the show.

“I can’t imagine, honestly, what the show is gonna feel like at first without [him] there,” Blake Shelton told Entertainment Tonight. “I mean, we’re about to start filming the 17th season of the show, and Adam has been my frenemy from day one.”

Both Shelton and Levine are part of the original four coaches when the show started, the other two being Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. Shelton and Levine are known for their friendly competition, and their antics are some of the highlights of “The Voice.”

NBC’s announcement of Levine’s departure came as a shock to fans as it was already announced beforehand that he’ll be back for Season 17. The sudden reversal spawned a few speculations about the reason for the Maroon 5 singer’s ouster, with one theory saying that an NBC boss was unhappy over his “lifeless” performance when the coaches sang at Radio City Music Hall.

It might have appeared as a sudden development, but Shelton hinted that it was not as unplanned as it seems. While Levine’s move might have surprised fans, Shelton said that the show’s insiders already have an inkling that he was about to go.

“I think we all knew, on the inside of the show, that he was ready to make a move,” Shelton explained why they were not as surprised as the rest. “For a guy like Adam, who is just — he's the most ADD person I think I've met — for him to have even done it as long as he did without wanting to move on to the next thing, is amazing.”

Shelton admits that he, as well as the other coaches, will miss Levine. But for him, the presence of his girlfriend, Gwen Stefani, will somehow make the transition easier.

“But I know he's happy with his decision,” he added. “Doesn't mean I am, or any of us [are happy], but at least they were able to soften the blow a little bit and bring Gwen back.”