‘The Voice’ Season 23: Blake Shelton Sets Exit as Niall Horan & Chance the Rapper Join
The Voice may only be part way through its 22nd season, but NBC is already making big plans for Season 23 as it unveils its lineup of coaches.
The panel will include returning coaches such as Blake Shelton (who is bidding viewers adieu) and on-again-off-again coach Kelly Clarkson, but two new faces are joining them. One Direction’s Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper will officially serve as coaches, making it the first time in a while that the competition series welcomes more than one new coach. Carson Daly will return for his post as the show’s host.
As a championship of ownership and creating opportunities for others in the music industry, Grammy-winner Chance the Rapper will be a fresh perspective to The Voice. Lauded by his peers and critics for his rise to success, the artist isn’t signed to a major label and instead distributes his music freely via streaming services.
Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper (Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images; Bryan Steffy/Getty Images)
Among some of Chance’s newest work is, “Child of God,” “A Bar About a Bar,” and “The Highs & the Lows.” He’s currently gearing up to release his next project, Star Line Gallery. “I’m thrilled to join The Voice as a coach for the next season,” he said. “I’m excited to help other artists get to the next level and make the most of this life-changing experience. Get ready for #teamchance.”
Meanwhile, Horan is best known for being a member of the former boy band One Direction, and has since gone on to create solo hits like “This Town” and “Slow Hands.” As fans eagerly await his next project, they’ll be able to catch him on The Voice offering wisdom to hopefuls trying to break into the industry. “I’m excited to be joining this season of The Voice as a coach,” Horan said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and mentoring the new crop of talent while we battle it out with the other teams!”
As for Clarkson, she’s eager to get back to her coaching gig following her Season 21 win with sibling trio, Girl Named Tom. “I am so excited to be back with my Voice family!” Clarkson said. “Let’s do this, Team Kelly!”
Kelly Clarkson with Girl Named Tom (Credit: Trae Patton/NBC)
And after 23 seasons with the competition series, Blake Shelton will bid farewell to his red chair following this spring season. He’s the only coach that’s appeared on every season of the show since its debut in 2011. “I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after season 23,” Shelton said.
“This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew, and catering people, you are the best. It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani!”
“I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers – the Voices who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach,” Shelton continued. ”Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches, and everyone at The Voice chasing their dreams. It wouldn’t happen without you!”
Season 22 is currently airing with Shelton, Stefani, John Legend, and Camila Cabello serving as coaches. Stay tuned to see how the competition unfolds and for additional details on the spring season to follow.
The Voice, Season 23, Spring 2023, NBC
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O
The Voice has always been about the judges: they haven't produced a single star in 20+ seasons. The replacement judges have been from so-so to awful. Why bother?
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B
Not true Lloyd
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G
Absolutely true! Name a single Voice contestant whose subsequent career matches those of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Scotty McCreery etc. Crickets.
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G
Blake, Xtina and Adam were good, the rest were meh. He needs to go do something more rewarding than this.
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O
Don’t bring Kelly Clarkson back. Get some well known singers to be judges. Those that haven’t been on The Voice before. We are going to miss Blake Shelton and John Legend!
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R
Many singers of note (no pun intended) would steer clear of this show due to it's total lack of producing any stars. American Idol has always put The Voice in the shade when it comes to real talent.
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O
Show will not be as good. Probably won't watch it. He adds a lot of fun and humor to the show. Sorry he's tired of it.
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I love watching the Voice and with Blake leaving I won't he makes the show
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B
Blake was good for the Voice, the Voice was good for Blake. The OG coach leaves. I feel like he may return for an occasional season but you never know. At this point he doesn’t need the gig as some lesser stars do.
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R
He reminds me of a Levine his last season. Clearly "over it" . I dont think acting stupid is funny.
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B
I get tired of watching him constantly being attacked and minimized by the other coaches. It was sorta funny when Adam Levine was on but it is way out of control now and has gotten old and I feel it minimizes him as a mentor. He brings great value to this show and I have been disappointed for some time over this dynamic. A joke is a joke but somewhere under it all it means something more. Shame on the voice for letting it get so out of control. He has contributed to the validity of this show and now there will not be any real (pure) representation of the country western genre. Kelly Clarkson is too eclectic. I hope she shows him more respect in the spring season. Nobody likes to be the target all the time whether they play in or not. He is a good sport, but you can see the toll it takes in his face at this point in time. Maybe you can honor him during the spring show by backing it off and having other professionals point to the real depth of who he is and what he has accomplished with his mentees over the years. I probably won't watch the show much due these dynamics and his departing the show.
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