The coaches on The Voice are known for having the best chemistry — but it’s safe to say that Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were in a world of their own during their time on the show.
The duo starred alongside one another on the NBC competition series for 16 seasons before the Maroon 5 frontman exited in 2019. The pair constantly poked fun at one another during the show, making everyone laugh in the process.
Behind-the-scenes, they had formed a close friendship.
“We are constantly at each other’s throats, and sometimes we really do get mad at each other,” the Oklahoma native, who called Levine “one of the best friends I have,” told The Tennessean in 2017. “We’re those two guys you knew in high school where we have this bond that is unexplainable. It brings out the best and worst in both of us. It truly is an explosive relationship. … And I know every trick to get under his skin.”
When Levine spoke out about his choice to leave the show, he shared a lengthy statement via Instagram and called out “BLAKE F–KIN’ SHELTON” in the process.
“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,” he wrote at the time. “Whatever this whole surreal experience was, I’m just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly [Clarkson] and John [Legend], 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.”
Shelton, for his part, admitted he was “pretty upset” about his friend’s exit. “I didn’t expect it,” the “Austin” singer said at the time. “I didn’t expect Adam to pull the trigger like he did. … We all knew he was getting to the point — it was 16 seasons he had been doing the show, and it’s hard to keep him focused on anything. He was ready to move on.”
In July 2021, the rocker was absent from the country singer’s intimate wedding to Gwen Stefani. While he never commented about why he didn’t attend, the “Beautiful Mistakes” singer had joked about how much the couple surprised him.
“She’s so cool, and he’s not,” the Grammy winner said during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2021. “I’ll go to the wedding, and I’ll object. I will probably not be invited, now that I’m saying this on live television, but I’ll be there, somehow.”
The nine-time Grammy nominee later quipped that those comments caused him to uninvite Levine from the ceremony!
In October 2022, Shelton announced that he would be exiting The Voice following the conclusion of season 23. Never one to pass up poking fun at his friend, Levine — who later spoke at his friend’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2023 — had a hilarious reaction to the news. “It’s about time!” he told ET at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party.
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