Adam Levine And Blake Shelton Leaving ‘The Voice’ After Next Season?
The Voice is headed for another big casting change next year. Following a season of behind-the-scenes battles between newcomer Miley Cyrus and veteran coach Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani is returning to replace the “Wrecking Ball” singer. With Cyrus expected to return to a coach’s chair in Season 13, will Blake Shelton and Levine call it quits after Season 12?
An inside source told Radar Online that Levine was elated when he heard the news about Cyrus’ exit. Levine and Cyrus reportedly feuded all season, with the former threatening to leave the show if Cyrus returned. Thankfully, it sounds like Levine is sticking around for at least one more run.
“Adam was thrilled! He is just really glad that Miley is gone and Gwen is coming back!” the insider shared. “Blake was not the same this season without Gwen there and it showed. When Gwen was a judge last season he was a ball of light and this season that light went out.”
Cyrus replaced Christina Aguilera this year and was joined by rookie Alicia Keys, who stepped in for Pharrell Williams. This is the first time the show has featured two female and two male coaches. While Levine got along great with Keys, his working relationship with Cyrus couldn’t have gone worse.
“Adam really cannot stand Miley because he thinks that she is the most obnoxious person ever,” the source explained.
As previously reported by the Inquistr, Cyrus is expected to return after taking a year off. Given their mutual dislike for each other, there’s a good possibility that Levine will walk away from The Voice after next season. Shelton apparently feels the same.
“Adam does not really want to return if they bring Miley back. He is that over it,” the source stated. “Both Adam and Blake feel that they have run their course as judges and are highly considering both exiting at the same time, long with Gwen.”
Levine and Shelton have not discussed their future plans on the show. Until more information is revealed, there’s no telling when the pair will call it quits. The only thing we know for sure is that Cyrus had enough after her rookie year.
In fact, a source told OK! Magazine that Cyrus felt like Levine and Shelton were ganging up on her. Things got so bad that Cyrus considered quitting mid-season and was “in tears” after several spouts with the Maroon 5 frontman.
“Things are so bad. She’s had enough. [Miley] feels like it’s a boys’ club and that she’s all alone,” the insider revealed back in September. “After they wrapped, Adam Levine told her, ‘This will be your first and last season. Miley shot back, ‘If I have anything to do with it, it will be your last season, too!'”
For his part, Shelton pushed hard for producers to bring Stefani back on the show. It’s been two seasons since Shelton and Stefani worked together, and the country crooner made it clear that he wanted Stefani back next year.
“Blake made it clear to the producers that he wanted Gwen by his side for the upcoming season,” a source explained, adding that “if [Stefani] did not return then neither would he.”
Of course, Shelton and Levine have fought off rumors of their departure in the past. According to Carter Matt, the longtime coaches have plenty of incentives to remain a part of the show. Not only are they paid well for their efforts, but they are also the only two coaches who have been on The Voice since the beginning.
Shelton and Levine’s playful bickering is one reason why many fans enjoy the show. In fact, Rare released a blooper reel of Shelton and Levine’s best moments together this season. Based on the footage, it doesn’t look like the pair is going anywhere soon.
New episodes of The Voice air Tuesday nights on NBC.
Tell us! Who would you rather see on The Voice – Adam Levine and Blake Shelton or Miley Cyrus? Let us know in the comments below.
[Featured Image by NBC Universal]
