Blake Shelton has officially signed off The Voice after 12 years.
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Last night’s Season 23 finale marked Shelton’s final episode as a coach for the singing competition and they were sure to send him away in style with a show full of celebration, surprises, and lots of fond memories.
The first surprise of the night came when host Carson Daly directed everyone’s attention to the rafters of the Universal Studios soundstage where a denim jacket was retired in Shelton’s honor. The garment displayed Shelton’s name along with the numbers of all nine seasons he won during his time on the show.
More surprises were sprinkled throughout the night as several celebrity guests popped in to share their well-wishes with Shelton via personalized video messages. They included words from Dolly Parton, Usher, Miley Cyrus, George Strait, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, John Legend, Pharrell and more.
Shelton’s wife and former fellow-judge, Gwen Stefani also made a video appearance sharing her love for Blake and gratitude that the show brought them together. Following her message, Stefani surprised Shelton later in the show with another video showing his chair from the set being delivered to their home so he can play along as he watches future seasons from home.
“The Voice is the reason I met Blake Shelton, and my life completely changed after that,” Stefani said in the package. “It’s hard to talk about it without being emotional.”
Shelton also got a few special, in-person visits from fond friends, fellow-coaches and past contestants during Tuesday night’s finale. Former coaches Ceelo Green and Adam Levine stopped by to perform and say their farewells, but perhaps the most touching moment was an unexpected group performance featuring some stand-out Team Blake members from seasons past.
The group, which included seven of the nine Team Blake winners, gave an emotional performance of Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life),” which brought the crowd, and Blake, to their feet.
Included in the group were winners Jermaine Paul, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Craig Wayne Boyd, Sundance Head, Todd Tilghman, and Bryce Leatherwood. Also in the group were stand-out contestants Dia Frampton, Xenia, RaeLynn, The Swon Brothers, and Ian Flanigan.
While Shelton hoped to add another win for Team Blake to the list before his grand exit, it was Niall Horan who got the Season 23 W as his team member Gina Miles won the season.
Horan will be back to defend the title next season as he is joined by John Legend, Gwen Stefani and new coach, Reba McEntire who will fill the empty seat left by Blake.
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