Blake Shelton is retiring from The Voice after Season 23 airing in 2023, and he has another country singer in mind as his replacement on the long running singing competition. Shelton took to social media on Friday, December 2nd, to recommend a classic country star for consideration, and it’s an outside the box choice that may not have occurred to some fans.
Shelton posted, “Y’all know that next spring The Voice season 23 will be my last, So I’d like to throw @NealMcCoy’s hat in the ring as my replacement! Can I get an amen?!!!!” The post caused a ton of replies from fans who agree with Shelton’s endorsement of the singer. McCoy has been on of country music’s most entertaining live performers and fans seem to be in on the idea of him being on The Voice.
Shelton revealed his decision to retire from The Voice in a lengthy social media post on October 11th, stating, “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after next season. The show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me, It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people, you are the best. It takes a lot of hard work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.”
Shelton joined The Voice in Season one along with Adam Devine, Christiana Aguilera, and CeeLo Green in 2011. Shelton has won the singing competition eight time, more than any other coach in the history of the show.
Shelton’s co-star, John Legend added his own thoughts on Shelton’s replacement saying, “I think it should be someone in country, We’ve never had another country coach before because it’s only been Blake, so I could see Carrie [Underwood] doing it, She’s in the NBC family. She sings on our Sunday Night [Football] broadcasts every Sunday. She could be good. Just an idea, Carrie!”
Season 23 of The Voice is set to feature Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, and Chance the Rapper as coaches.
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