Season 26 of The Voice is off to a fiery begin, because the stellar line-up of coaches competes tooth and nail to safe the perfect vocalists within the Blind Auditions. Series heavyweight and different pop-rock legend Gwen Stefani is joined by final season’s winner and nation music celebrity, Reba McIntyre, as they fend off the favored new additions, crooner Michael Bublé and business icon Snoop Dog. The Voice ensures that vocal expertise will all the time be prioritized every season, and so selection within the collection usually comes from the introduction of recent coaches, who’ve completely different approaches to pitching and offering counsel to the gifted artists every season.

With the rotating door of coaches every season, followers of the franchise are sometimes upset to see a beloved character depart the collection. Kelly Clarkson endeared herself to followers along with her charming, fun-aunt-energy, plus her healthful rivalry with The Voice OG coach Blake Shelton. Shelton was a choose for 12 years beginning in 2011, earlier than a tearful retirement in Season 23. Though the door is all the time open for a return sooner or later. Stefani herself is proof that judges are sometimes welcome again, even after spending years away from the collection. Last season noticed McIntyre competing towards collection newcomers Dan+Shay and returning coaches Chance the Rapper and John Legend. Chance was a considerate and invested coach, and the collection was fortunate that he may lend his skills for the season. Legend has been a staple on the collection for a complete of 9 seasons, so followers have naturally been questioning what the explanation is likely to be for his determination to not return in Season 26.

Why Didn’t John Legend Return to Season 26 of ‘The Voice’?

In May 2024, Legend informed Entertainment Tonight what he had deliberate for the summer season of 2024, together with a number of performing and touring abroad, which might affect his potential to educate this season. He mirrored together with his typical composed attraction, “I’ll be back… if only I were going to take an actual break!” It is sensible that somebody with Legend’s musical expertise can be wanting to get again to performing. As somebody with a younger household, it appears clear Legend additionally needed to take time to create some memorable moments, together with inviting his younger children onto The Voice set to see the place their father was spending time placing his teaching abilities to work. But although Legend will not be teaching in Season 26 of The Voice, that is not to say the collection was removed from his thoughts.

During his interview with ET, Legend expressed his pleasure at seeing new coaches coming onto The Voice as soon as once more. He predicted that having Snoop Dog, who has appeared on the present as a mentor up to now, now becoming a member of as a coach would “reinvigorate” the collection. Even after only one episode, Snoop has already proved the prediction right, together with his pitches proving virtually irresistible to the rivals. Legend additionally noticed that rotating new coaches in to affix the extra skilled staff is “how we continue to stay fresh.” When it got here to his reflection on the finale for Season 25, Legend put the deal with the expertise, saying, “I’m just rooting for the artists to be their best selves, honestly.”

When Will Viewers See Legend Again?

Even although Legend won’t be returning for Season 26, viewers will not have to attend lengthy to see him again on The Voice. The soulful crooner has already confirmed he will likely be again in his coaches’ chair for Season 27, which has already begun filming and can air someday in spring 2025. Joining Legend will likely be returning coach and vocalist for Maroon 5, Adam Levine. Levine has a exceptional 16 seasons of expertise teaching on the collection. Bublé can be confirmed to return for his second season, and becoming a member of these skilled coaches is first timer, Kelsea Ballerini. Carson Daly can even return as host. Since the season simply picked up filming the Blind Auditions, and Season 26 simply started airing, there’ll in all probability be a while earlier than we begin to see promotional supplies for the following season. However, one of many coaches could not resist sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Season 27 already.

Catch Season 26 of The Voice Mondays on NBC. Past seasons might be streamed on Peacock.

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