Adam Levine Reportedly ‘Checked Out’ Before Leaving ‘The Voice’ in 2019
Adam Levine makes a triumphant return to The Voice after a six-year absence to coach season 27. However, the Maroon 5 frontman had reportedly “checked out” before saying goodbye to his coaching role in 2019 after 16 seasons and eight years on the NBC competition series.
In 2019, Adam Levine reportedly ‘checked out’ before leaving ‘The Voice’
In 2019, TV Line spoke to NBC insiders who claimed Adam Levine appeared unhappy about the many format changes on The Voice beginning with season 16. This commentary was not confirmed by either Levine or his representatives.
The outlet reported that during NBC’s upfronts, Levine appeared onstage alongside Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend as part of the network’s upcoming programming display. TV Line reported, “Singing on stage alongside his fellow coaches, Levine was near-motionless — a stark contrast to his much more enthusiastic and animated colleagues. ‘Adam had been checked out for a while,” notes an NBC insider, ‘but this was a new low. It was essentially the straw that broke the camel’s back.’”
At the time, Levine was reportedly unhappy with some of the updates made to the singing competition series. It was said the Maroon 5 frontman wasn’t a fan of the Live Cross Battles, where two coaches go head to head by each selecting one artist from their team to go up against another team’s artist, and their fate is decided by the viewer’s votes.
Levine reportedly also disliked a rule that didn’t guarantee each coach would enter the Live Playoffs with an equal number of team members. By season 16’s semifinals, Levine had no team members in the competition, and his displeasure during the live shows appeared evident.
Reports differ on what supposedly happened next. Levine was announced as returning as a coach for season 17 of The Voice on May 10, 2019. His exit from the series was announced days later, on May 24.
Adam Levine later called ‘The Voice’ experience ‘an amazing ride’
In an Instagram message regarding his 2019 departure from The Voice, Adam Levine called his experience as a coach “an amazing ride.” He shared his thanks for the years of joy he had on the NBC competition series.
“To all of the loyal Voice fans, there’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on,” Levine explained.
He added, “Your support has meant EVERYTHING. And lastly, I’d like to thank my manager Jordan for convincing me to take that meeting. What an amazing ride. Thank you all so much.”
Levine’s exit was announced by The Voice host Carson Daly on Today. “After 16 seasons, Adam Levine, our beloved coach and friend, has decided to leave The Voice,” Daly said.
“Adam was one of the original coaches who launched the show, winning the competition three times and inspiring many of the artists that he worked so closely with over the years. He’ll always be a cherished member of the Voice family, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Levine would later tell Ellen DeGeneres of his departure, “I miss [The Voice]. I really do miss it,” he confessed. “But I wanted to stop at this point and be with my young family.”
Adam Levine posted a season 27 ‘Voice’ return photo to Instagram
On July 20, Adam Levine posted a photo to Instagram featuring all four season 27 coaches. “First week of taping Season 27 of @nbcthevoice with these three is done, love them, and it’s great to be back! #S27 #Spring2025,” Levine captioned.
Levine’s team won The Voice on three occasions: Season 1 with Javier Colon, season 5 with Tessanne Chin, and season 9 with Jordan Smith. He is the third most-winning coach in the show’s history after Blake Shelton, who won nine times, and Kelly Clarkson who won four.
The Voice returns beginning Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
