It’s hard to imagine a season of The Voice without Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.
Although the show’s favorite squabbling couple has been on board since day one, reports indicate that Shelton and Levine might be parting ways with the singing competition.
Are they really giving up their coaching chairs for something else?
It’s not uncommon for coaches to take a break on the show. However, The Boot is reporting that Shelton and Levine aren’t going anywhere, at least for the time being.
Why haven’t Shelton and Levine taken breaks like everyone else?
“They love doing the show, and they love the paycheck,” Robert Greenblatt, the chairman of NBC, explained.
Greenblatt went on to describe Shelton and Levine as “series regulars” who are vitally important to the success of the show.
“[Shelton and Levine] are always hugely popular whenever we do testing, and we’ve done a fair amount of that over 11 cycles,” he stated. “We think that they’re the pillars of the show, and then we have this revolving family of Gwen [Stefani], Pharrell [Williams], now Miley [Cyrus] and Alicia [Keys] joining the pack.”
Meanwhile, Shelton addressed rumors of his departure back in May. According to Taste of County , he appeared on Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and assured fans that he wasn’t quitting the show.
“I’ve heard many rumors that I’ve been fired,” Blake Shelton explained. “I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’d like to stay there as long as I can. Of course, I’m going to stay there!”
Aside from the money angle, there is another reason why producers don’t want Shelton and Levine to part ways.
Shelton and Levine have hurled insults at each other ever since Season 1 of The Voice , building up a fond bromance that fans have grown to enjoy and love.
According to Movie News Guide , the pair’s playful relationship is one reason why they have never taken a break. After all, The Voice would not have the same dynamics without their constant banter.
Coupled with the large paychecks, it doesn’t look like either singer is willing to hang it up just yet.
Indeed, along with confirming his own return next season, Shelton assured fans that Levine is staying put as well.
“The moron is coming back, too,” Shelton joked, referring to Levine. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Production for Season 11 of The Voice is currently underway. The new season will be the first for Cyrus and Keys, who are replacing Williams and Christina Aguilera as coaches.
While many fans were hoping that Stefani would join Shelton as his mentor next season, the country star is bringing on Bette Midler instead.
Midler is best known for her song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Bette is thrilled about being on the show and working with Shelton, though she admitted that her nerves got the best of her.
“I thought ‘He’s really cute, he’s really funny, he has a tremendous amount of personal charm, and I would like to be in his orbit, so why not?” she explained. “[H]e’s a tremendous coach… I was a little bit freaked out to have to do this ’cause I thought, ‘What the hell am I gonna tell these kids?’ I’d seen other coaches and their riffing and running, and I’m like, ‘I can’t do that.’”
Although Shelton and Levine are returning for another season, it isn’t clear how long their run will last. With the show’s ratings still high, there is a strong possibility that they will remain coaches for the foreseeable future.
Fans can watch Blake Shelton and Adam Levine back in action when the new season of The Voice premieres on NBC Sept. 19.
[Image via NBC]