‘The Voice’ Replacing Adam Levine With Gwen Stefani Might Be Linked To This

When “The Voice” Season 17 arrives, one of the original judges who have been with the show since it started won’t be returning anymore. On May 24, NBC announced that Adam Levine, who is one of the four original judges alongside Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green, will be replaced by Gwen Stefani.

The reason was a bit confusing for “The Voice” fans who have been following the latest news about the show. Previously, NBC already confirmed on May 10 that Season 16 judges Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine will be returning for the show’s 17th run. Something must have happened within the two-week period for the network to suddenly change its mind and drop Levine.

There are actually some unconfirmed reports that surfaced that might explain Levine’s departure from “The Voice.” And it might be related to a rule change in Season 16, where it’s no longer guaranteed that “each coach went to the Live Playoffs with the same number of team members,” according to TV Line.

On May 12, Levine and the other judges had to pre-tape “The Voice” Season 16 semi-finals, which was scheduled to air the next day. However, a source told TVLine that the Maroon 5 singer didn’t want to attend the taping at all because, at this point, he no longer had any artist left in the race.

During the taping, Levine reportedly didn’t hide his frustration and was “very difficult.” The eyewitness added that the singer refused “opportunities to offer commentary to the other judges’ performers.”

When talking to Rod Stokes from Team Kelly Clarkson, Levine’s frustration over the new format also surfaced. “I still don’t understand how you’re not on my team,” the judge said to the contestant. “I don’t think anybody does, just ’cause it’s weird how it works now,” he said. “I’m still learning the rules of the new show.”

But what reportedly pushed things over the edge was Levine’s performance the following day when he and fellow coaches sang at Radio City Music Hall. Compared to the enthusiastic performances of his fellow judges, Adam Levine’s was said to be lifeless and “near-motionless.”

Unfortunately, one of the network’s execs was present in the audience. According to multiple sources, Paul Telegdy, NBC’s co-chairman of entertainment, was reportedly not happy with Levine’s performance. One source said that he was “embarrassed” and “furious” for the singer’s “indifference in front of the very people (read: advertisers) who pay his $26-million annual salary.”

Levine posted on Instagram his farewell message to “The Voice,” but it didn’t touch on whether Telegdy was behind his departure or not. NBC likewise declined to comment on the issue at the moment.