Who Will Replace Blake Shelton on 'The Voice'?

Our top picks for country stars who could replace the OG 'Voice' coach.

Season 23 of The Voice is well underway with OG coach Blake Shelton wrapping up his final season on the singing competition and ticking off a lot of last time's as his final season unfolds: we’ve seen the last time he will push his red button to land someone on his team, the final time he will Block one his fellow coaches, and the final time he will pair team members for a Battle Round.

Tonight, as The Voice pays tribute to his 23 seasons on the show with a retrospective of Blake’s best moments over the years, we broach the question: Who should replace the Cowboy? And should we be concerned?

When Adam Levine, who sat in the bookend big red swivel chair to Blake on the coaching panel, left, there was concern what that would mean to the show’s ratings, but The Voice didn't even slow its roll. Since then, several coaches have sat in that seat, including most recently Kelly Clarkson, who has the second most number of wins—four—to Blake’s nine. But it may be because of his popularity, Blake will be harder to replace than the Maroon 5 lead singer, who didn’t have the same rabid following.

Related: Read Blake Shelton's Heartfelt Goodbye To The Voice

Who will replace Blake Shelton on The Voice?

Does it need to be a country singer? It would make sense since country's such a popular genre on the series with winning country artists including Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Sundance Head, Craig Wayne Boyd, Jake Hoot and Bryce Leatherwood, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be. Coaches such as John Legend and this season’s Niall Horan—and it goes without saying Kelly who won with Hoot—have also expressed interest in working with country artists.

Former country mentors who could replace Blake Shelton on The Voice

If it’s going to be a country artist, it would make sense to put someone into that seat who has previously mentored the show, and there are some great ones.

Kelsea Ballerini

Kane Brown

Jimmie Allen

Darius Rucker

Dierks Bentley

Keith Urban

Shania Twain

Tim McGraw

Garth Brooks

Trace Adkins

Reba McEntire

They all are truly talented when it comes to music and their names have come up for speculation online, but do they also have the special element of humor that Blake brings? All the witticisms that come out of his mouth are his, not words written by a writer, and that’s a hard act to follow.

Related: Iconic Country Superstar To Join The Voice for Season 23

Hot females in country music who could replace Blake on The Voice

No doubt the above list is like a Who’s Who of country music, but there are some fresh faces to consider, including several hot female artists like Mickey Guyton, Ashley McBride, and Maren Morris, who would make a nice addition to the coaching panel, as well as a balance to the number of women on it.

Mickey Guyton

Ashley McBryde

Maren Morris

As for why he’s leaving Blake wrote: “I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after season 23. This 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 work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.

“I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson [Daly] and every single one my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani! I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers—the ‘Voices’ who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach. Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at The Voice chasing their dreams. It wouldn’t happen without you!”

The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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