Blake Shelton Was Going To Leave ‘The Voice’ Before COVID

Blake Shelton chatted with The Today Show this week and told them that he was thinking about leaving NBC's The Voice a couple of years before he announced that this Season (23) would be his last on the popular show.

Blake, who started on The Voice in 2011 when the show first premiered, said he began thinking about leaving during the pandemic. He told Carson Daly, "I think I was close to calling it a day right when COVID hit. And then, because of COVID, I didn't want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind. I mean, this show changed my life. I'll stay here until the world kind of gets back to normal again."

Shelton joked that one thing might keep him on the series: "I'd like for Kelly (Clarkson) to not be on the show anymore. I just think there's too much Kelly Clarkson on television, in general."

Blake also noted that the show changed his personal life forever. He said, "I met my wife on this show. It's changed my life in every way it possibly can, from a personal standpoint." It changed his career as well. He offered, "When I came on as a coach on this show, I mean, everything in my life was turned upside down. 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."

Blake recently broke ground at the location of his upcoming "Ole Red" Las Vegas restaurant. Plans are for it to have a grand opening in late 2023. Blake said at the event, "If you are going to do something here, you've got to do it big. Every time I'm in Vegas, I want some country music, and Ole Red is the remedy for that."

"Ole Red" Las Vegas will sit in front of Caesars Entertainment's Horseshoe Las Vegas at the Grand Bazaar Shops on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road. At approximately 27,000 square feet with a planned 686 seats, Ole Red Las Vegas is slated to be the brand's largest location to date.

With the news that Season 23 will be Blake Shelton's last season, we wondered who will replace Blake on NBC's The Voice after he leaves. Who could fill the shoes of the longest-standing and most-winning coach on the show with 11 seasons under his belt before he embarks on his last Season, 23?

We gathered a handful of country stars we believe can get the job done and represent country music on the same level as Shelton.

Most people already know that Dolly is quick-witted, very funny, and would be a great chair turner on The Voice. However, she is also very lovely and would have a problem criticizing anyone or hurting the feelings of someone who dares to dream of music stardom. Plus, she is already so busy it's doubtful she would be able to handle a two-night-a-week TV schedule. Parton does say "yes" to a lot lately, and who knows, maybe she would take The Voice plunge if asked just right by NBC, whom she already has a TV movie deal with.

A little-known fact is that Brad was in the running for Luke Bryan's spot on American Idol before Idol chose Bryan. Brad has always been a funny guy and has even filled in as a host on Jimmy Kimmel's show on ABC.

Carrie is quite faithful to American Idol, which made her the superstar she is today, so not sure if she would take an offer from The Voice as Kelly Clarkson did. However, if she did take a turn in the big red chair, no doubt she would be fabulous at it.

Tim would be great in the big red chair if he took over Shelton's spot on The Voice. With his budding acting career, he does spend a reasonable amount of time in California, so maybe a fit into The Voice would work for McGraw.

Keith did appear in The Voice Australia for several seasons before he bowed out recently to spend more time with his family. While he is well qualified, we are not sure he would swap one Voice in his native Australia to do the same in America. Urban was also an American Idol judge from 2013-2016.