After an impressive 12-year run, Blake Shelton has announced that he will be bidding farewell to The Voice. The country singer shared that the upcoming 23rd season will be his final journey as a judge and mentor on the hit reality show. Having guided numerous talented artists to success since its debut in 2011, Shelton has secured a record-breaking nine wins, including last season. Now, in an intimate interview with Today‘s Carson Daly, he reveals what led to this difficult decision.

Shelton confesses that the idea of leaving the show crossed his mind right as the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his dedication to his fellow show members and contestants kept him from walking away during such a challenging time. He didn’t want to leave the show hanging in the balance. “I mean, this show changed my life. I’ll stay here until the world kind of gets back to normal again,” Shelton shares. It’s a sentiment that many of us can relate to.

With the world slowly returning to a sense of normalcy, Shelton is ready for a new chapter in his life. The Voice has undeniably shaped him both professionally and personally. “I met my wife on this show,” he reveals. “It’s changed my life in every way it possibly can, from [a] personal standpoint.” In 2015, Shelton began dating Gwen Stefani, his fellow coach on the show, and they recently tied the knot on July 3, 2021. Shelton now looks forward to spending more time with his family, including his three stepsons—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—who Stefani shares with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale.

“When I came on as a coach on this show, I mean, everything in my life was turned upside down,” Shelton reflects. “And in a good way, you know? This has been incredible, but it’s time, you know. It’s time for not even what’s next. A little bit of nothing would be nice.”

As Shelton gears up for his final season on The Voice, he will be joined by fellow veteran coach Kelly Clarkson, with whom he shares a playful friendship. During the interview, he jokingly stated, “I’d like for Kelly (Clarkson) to not be on the show anymore,” drawing a cheerful laugh from Clarkson herself. Their lighthearted rivalry has been a highlight for fans, and it will surely be missed once Shelton steps away.

Joining the dynamic duo in the judging chairs will be Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan, known for his rise to fame on Britain’s X Factor and as a member of the popular band One Direction. With such an exciting lineup, it’s clear that the upcoming season of The Voice is not to be missed.