The Real Reason Blake Shelton Quit 'The Voice' After 23 Seasons

The speaker reflects on the evolution of his career, from his early days as a struggling artist to becoming a major celebrity and businessman. He highlights key lessons learned, particularly the power of saying "no" in the entertainment industry, a skill he observed in Christina Aguilera during their time on "The Voice." This newfound ability to decline opportunities marked a significant shift from his earlier career, where he felt compelled to accept every chance that came his way. His rise to fame, especially with "The Voice," brought an unexpected level of celebrity, turning him into tabloid fodder. He humorously recounts how he would consistently appear on grocery store magazine covers, a phenomenon that lasted for a decade. He even has a room in his new house decorated with these tabloid covers, primarily featuring him and Gwen Stefani. This intense public scrutiny was a direct result of his presence on network television. The conversation also touches on his decision to step away from "The Voice" after 23 seasons. Despite the show's immense success and the life-changing opportunities it provided, he experienced burnout from the demanding schedule and being based in Los Angeles. He emphasizes his gratitude to the show's producers and NBC, acknowledging their role in his success, but clarifies that his departure was about prioritizing his life and escaping the "hamster wheel" of constant work. He explains that the frustration eventually outweighed the benefits of the job, leading him to make the difficult but necessary decision to leave. A significant turning point in his life came when his business managers informed him that he had accumulated enough wealth to retire comfortably. This knowledge, though he continued working for several more years, provided immense peace of mind, knowing he had the financial security to make choices without fear of consequence. He shares his passion for his life in Oklahoma, which includes hunting, fishing, and increasingly, gardening and farming. He explains that while he's always been involved in farming for deer food plots, his wife, Gwen Stefani, introduced him to the world of flowers, requiring him to get off the tractor and get his hands dirty, which he finds deeply satisfying, especially when he sees the flowers they grew adorning their home. Regarding his music career, he acknowledges the inevitable reality of fans moving on and the decreasing impact of new records. After 25 years of making music, he accepts that at some point, people will have enough of his albums and concert experiences. He embraces the challenge of new artists emerging and is simply grateful that people still listen to his music. The discussion then shifts to his business ventures outside of music, specifically Ole Red restaurants and his production company. While he initially stated a preference for not being heavily involved in the business side, trusting his team, his partners reveal that he is actually quite savvy and has many great ideas. He clarifies that he prefers to "stay in his lane," offering ideas but not forcing them, understanding that too much direct involvement might not be beneficial. He emphasizes the importance of listening to others and avoiding the pitfall of thinking he knows everything, which he has seen derail other artists. His ambition, even after achieving significant success, remains strong. He believes in "swinging for the fence" in all his endeavors. For Ole Red, this means striving for the best restaurant and bar experience in Nashville, with top-tier stages and production. Similarly, with his production company, he aims to create high-quality content, such as country music documentaries, that people will enthusiastically recommend. He explains his preference for Las Vegas residencies over traditional touring, citing his age (turning 50 this year) and the difficulty of sleeping on tour buses. The stationary nature of a Vegas residency allows him to get better rest and enjoy the performance experience more. Finally, he offers insights into the changing landscape for aspiring musicians. He views social media as a "double-edged sword." While it offers the opportunity for overnight success and viral hits, it often bypasses the crucial development period that artists once had. He recounts his own four years of development, writing, performing, and refining his craft before his big break. He warns that without this maturation period, many artists who achieve instant fame through social media struggle with identity, direction, and often become "one-hit wonders" or face personal problems. He also touches on the impact of AI in music production, noting that while it offers cost-effectiveness, it risks losing something essential in the creative process, contrasting it with his own experience as a demo singer, which he considers his "college" for learning the craft.