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Branded The Voice: Battle of Champions, season 29 is a bold reinvention of the long-running NBC talent show — and the first to feature just three veteran Coaches competing head-to-head. Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and John Legend will duke it out. All three are past winners eyeing supremacy in what’s shaping up to be the most competitive coaching lineup yet. Debuting in spring 2026, this season promises to shake up expectations with brand-new strategic elements, including reduced team sizes (10 artists per coach) and fresh competitive twists. However, a source claims that executives of the new season hoped they could convince Blake Shelton to return alongside Levine.

‘The Voice’ Season 29 executives allegedly wanted Blake Shelton to return with Adam Levine

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The Voice Season 29 is sure to bring new twists and turns to the season, delighting fans who’ve watched the show from the beginning. While viewers are excited to see how the season plays out, their ultimate wish won’t come true: Blake Shelton isn’t returning. Shelton coached the first season of the series and departed for good after season 23 in 2023. Fans loved his banter with Adam Levine, with their chemistry as friends and competitors making for undeniably good TV.

“They offered both Blake and Adam more money, a lot more, to get them back together and do a season together,” a source told The U.S. Sun. “Obviously, it didn’t work out for season 29, but stay tuned — it might happen sooner than later. It’d be a win/win for production and the fans. Their chemistry is unmatched.”

It might take some convincing to get Shelton back on board. Fortunately, Levine is happy to jump in after a long break. The Voice Season 27, which premiered in early February 2025, marked the end of his five-year hiatus since his departure after season 16 in 2019. A father of three focused on family life, Levine explained that he stepped away to prioritize parenting and personal reflection. Eventually, he felt the timing was right to reclaim the signature red chair alongside coaches John Legend, Michael Bublé, and newcomer Kelsea Ballerini.

Blake Shelton previously said he’d consider returning to the show if he could coach alongside Adam Levine

It’s possible that NBC executives could sway Blake Shelton to return to The Voice. In the past, he noted that he’d consider returning if the original four coaches reunited for one season. CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, Shelton, and Christina Aguilera coached the first season in 2011.

“If they were ever able to put together the original four coaches again, maybe [I’d return] for one season, a one-off,” he told Entertainment Tonight in April 2024. “That would be fun for me. … That would be something I would be interested in doing.”

In the same interview, Shelton noted that he “misses the people” in the series the most. “I mean, those people became like family to me, literally from the crew all up to the producers of the show,” he said. “I was with them more than I was with my family.”

Adam Levine allegedly felt a ‘void’ without the country star on ‘The Voice’ with him

Adam Levine is ready to dive headfirst back into The Voice with season 29 — but he likely misses Blake Shelton by his side. An insider told The U.S. Sun that Levine felt a “void” after returning to The Voice Season 27 because Shelton wasn’t there to join him.

“Adam didn’t realize how much his experience was made by having Blake on set with him until this season when he had to film without him,” the source alleged. “He didn’t enjoy this season as much as he anticipated, but he definitely feels Blake’s void and misses him.” The source added that Levine’s “dream” is to have Shelton come back.

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