Voice Coaches React to Adam Levine's Exit: Blake Shelton Is 'Gonna Miss Working with That Idiot'

Matt McNulty
Updated
Voice Coaches React to Adam Levine's Exit: Blake Shelton Is 'Gonna Miss Working with That Idiot'

Adam Levine announced Friday that he’s leaving The Voice after 16 seasons — and no one is sadder than his fellow coaches.

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend reacted to the Maroon 5 frontman’s sudden departure after the news broke Friday morning.

Though Shelton’s longtime girlfriend Gwen Stefani is stepping in to replace Levine next season, the country star, Clarkson and Legend made it clear that the singer will be missed.

“Having a hard time wrapping my head around Adam not being at The Voice anymore,” Shelton wrote. “After 16 seasons that changed both of our lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet.”

He concluded with a jab at Levine, who has become a close friend: “Gonna miss working with that idiot.”

RELATED: Adam Levine Is Leaving The Voice After 16 Seasons — and Gwen Stefani Is Taking His Spot

Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in May 2019 | Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo bank
Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in May 2019 | Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo bank

Levine, 40, and Shelton, 42, were two of the original coaches when the show launched back in April 2011 and quickly built a bond, becoming good pals (and each winning the title of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive during their Voice tenure).

“I remember when I saw him at the meeting at NBC, I was instantly very taken by him ’cause he was definitely not your typical country artist,” Levine told PEOPLE in 2017. “He was not a cookie-cutter guy, and the second we met, we were friends. All of the bulls— that we do comes from a place of love.”

Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in 2014 | Parisa / Splash
Blake Shelton and Adam Levine in 2014 | Parisa / Splash

The first time Shelton met Levine, “I didn’t know what the hell was going on,” says Shelton. “It was this skinny guy with a white T-shirt with the collar all stretched out. I remember turning to my manager and saying, ‘I think that’s Adam Levine.'”

Now years later, the pair have seen each other through many of life’s milestones and found lasting friendship. “He’s one of the most loving people I’ve ever known,” Shelton tells PEOPLE. “We drive each other nuts, but outside of this world, he’s one of my best friends and it’s because of his heart. He needs his face slapped around, but he has a huge, huge heart.”

Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in 2011 | Kevin Winter/Getty
Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in 2011 | Kevin Winter/Getty

RELATED: The Voice Coaches Open Up About Their Tight Bond — and Gwen Reveals Why She’s Jealous of Adam (Hint: It Involves Blake Shelton)

Singling out Shelton specifically in his farewell message on Instagram shortly after the news broke Friday, Levine wrote, “BLAKE F—IN’ SHELTON. 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, I’m just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life.”

He added, “Kelly and John, 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.”

View this post on Instagram

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. First thank you must go to Mark. ❤️ 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.” It went on to be a life shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever. Thank you NBC for signing me up. I am truly honored to have been a part of something I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you to every single coach I ever sat in those chairs with. That is shared experience that is singularly ours. We have that for life. Thank you to everyone who supported this long strange and amazing left turn into a place I never thought I’d go. Thank you Carson Daly for babysitting the musicians and making sure our shoes were tied and we had our lunch boxes. You are the backbone of this thing and we appreciate you more than you know. Audrey, thank you for being perhaps the most patient person in all the free world. 4 musicians all at once is a lot. Sainthood is imminent. Thank you to Paul Mirkovich and the band for their ridiculously hard work and learning more songs than maybe any band ever. 😂 Thank you to the people behind the scenes who do the real work and make this machine hum. To the amazingly talented vocalists who competed on the show and blew my mind on a daily basis. And, BLAKE FUCKIN’ SHELTON. 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 just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly and John, 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. And lastly, to all of the loyal voice fans, there’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on. Your support has meant EVERYTHING. And Lastly, I’d like to thank my manager Jordan for convincing me to take that meeting. 😊 What an amazing ride. Thank you all so much. ❤️ Adam

A post shared by Adam Levine (@adamlevine) on May 24, 2019 at 8:12am PDT

RELATED: Adam Levine Breaks Silence About Surprise Decision to Leave The Voice: ‘It Was Time to Move On’

In addition to his ongoing tour with Maroon 5 and working on new music, Levine will be busy at home with his wife, model Behati Prinsloo, and their young two daughters, 2½-year-old Dusty Rose and 15-month-old Gio Grace.

Fellow Voice coach Kelly Clarkson, 37, also expressed her disappointment over Levine’s departure from the show, adding how strange it will be to work on the show without him.

“Found out last night about Adam leaving The Voice & 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 👀 To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!”

 

Responding to Levine’s Instagram post, newest coach John Legend, 40, wrote, “We’ll miss you, brother.”

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine | Trae Patton/NBC
Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine | Trae Patton/NBC

RELATED: Maelyn Jarmon Reveals What’s Next After Winning The Voice — Dinner at John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s House!

The Voice‘s official Twitter account also praised Levine’s contributions before announcing the return of Stefani, who previously coached for three seasons.

“Our friend and coach Adam Levine made the decision not to return next season. We’re going to miss Adam, but The Voice is family and with family it’s ‘see you soon,’ never ‘goodbye. Gwen Stefani returns with Kelly, John, and Blake on The Voice stage this fall. Join us in welcoming back Gwen, and sharing our heartfelt gratitude to Adam!”