John Legend and Kelly Clarkson are saying goodbye to their fellow coach on “The Voice.” Adam Levine, who announced last week he is leaving the show.
The Maroon 5 frontman, an original coach since the show’s 2011 debut, is departing after 16 seasons, host Carson Daly reported on Friday’s “Today” show. Daly serves as feature anchor for the morning program.
“Of course many viewers will miss watching his frenemy relationship with Blake Shelton,” Daly said. “He’ll always be a cherished member of ‘The Voice’ family, and of course we wish him nothing but the best.”
Daly said that Levine would be replaced by Shelton’s girlfriend Gwen Stefani, who previously served as a coach for the singing competition in Seasons 7, 9 and 12.
John Legend, who joined the show’s current 16th season as a coach, told Entertainment Tonight that he would miss Levine but looked forward to welcoming Stefani back to her red chair next season alongside Shelton and Kelly Clarkson.
“Yeah, we’re sad to see him go. We are very sad, and he’s been a part of the show since the beginning, 16 seasons,” Legend said. “He’s been so important to the show even existing, so we’re all going to miss him.”
“Yeah, Gwen’s going to be great,” he added. “I think Blake is pretty happy about it.”
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The official Twitter account for the show explained in a statement shared Friday that the choice was Levine’s and left the door open for a return.
“We’re going to miss Adam, but ‘The Voice’ is family and with family it’s ‘see you soon,’ never ‘goodbye.’ “
“Join us in welcoming back Gwen, and sharing our heartfelt gratitude to Adam!” the statement continued.
In a NSFW Instagram post, Levine reflected on the beginning of his journey with the show.
“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,” Levine captioned a 2012 Rolling Stone cover featuring the original coaches: himself, Shelton, CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera. “We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going. After the first day of shooting, I sat there, stunned. I said to myself ‘theres some magic here. Something is definitely happening.’
Ultimately, Levine said, the show “went on to be a life shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever. I am truly honored to have been a part of something I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life.”
Levine went on to recognize his fellow coaches and Daly, whom he described as “the backbone of this thing.”
To Shelton, Levine said. “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. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, Im (sic) just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life.”
Shelton tweeted that he was having a difficult time processing Levine’s exit.
“Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives,” the country singer wrote. “I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.”
Clarkson, who joined the show as a coach in Season 14, told her Twitter followers that she also learned of the news Thursday.
“.While I get that he’s been doing the show 4 a while & wants to step away, it will be weird showing up 4 work & he’s not there,” she posted. “To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!”
During his time in the red chair, Levine clenched three victories: Javier Colon (Season 1), Tessanne Chin (Season 5), and Jordan Smith (Season 9).
Season 16 of the show concluded Tuesday. Maelyn Jarmon was crowned the winner, giving John Legend a victory in his first season as a coach.
On the day of the season finale, Levine shared a photo to social media grazing Shelton’s cheek. “A rare moment of tenderness,” he captioned the shot.
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Levine, Stefani and “The Voice” for comment.
Contributing: Cydney Henderson
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