Blake Shelton and Adam Levine’s Friendship Through the Years
Barry King/FilmMagic
The coaches on The Voice are known for having the best chemistry — but it’s safe to say that Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were in a world of their own during their time on the show.
The duo starred alongside one another on the NBC competition series for 16 seasons before the Maroon 5 frontman exited in 2019. The pair constantly poked fun at one another during the show, making everyone laugh in the process.
Behind-the-scenes, they had formed a close friendship.
“We are constantly at each other’s throats, and sometimes we really do get mad at each other,” the Oklahoma native, who called Levine “one of the best friends I have,” told The Tennessean in 2017. “We’re those two guys you knew in high school where we have this bond that is unexplainable. It brings out the best and worst in both of us. It truly is an explosive relationship. … And I know every trick to get under his skin.”
When Levine spoke out about his choice to leave the show, he shared a lengthy statement via Instagram and called out “BLAKE F–KIN’ SHELTON” in the process.
“I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried. Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books,” he wrote at the time. “Whatever this whole surreal experience was, I’m just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly [Clarkson] and John [Legend], take care of the cowboy and I’m sure I’ll be back to say hi very very soon. So much love to you both.”
Shelton, for his part, admitted he was “pretty upset” about his friend’s exit. “I didn’t expect it,” the “Austin” singer said at the time. “I didn’t expect Adam to pull the trigger like he did. … We all knew he was getting to the point — it was 16 seasons he had been doing the show, and it’s hard to keep him focused on anything. He was ready to move on.”
In July 2021, the rocker was absent from the country singer’s intimate wedding to Gwen Stefani. While he never commented about why he didn’t attend, the “Beautiful Mistakes” singer had joked about how much the couple surprised him.
“She’s so cool, and he’s not,” the Grammy winner said during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2021. “I’ll go to the wedding, and I’ll object. I will probably not be invited, now that I’m saying this on live television, but I’ll be there, somehow.”
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The nine-time Grammy nominee later quipped that those comments caused him to uninvite Levine from the ceremony!
In October 2022, Shelton announced that he would be exiting The Voice following the conclusion of season 23. Never one to pass up poking fun at his friend, Levine — who later spoke at his friend’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2023 — had a hilarious reaction to the news. “It’s about time!” he told ET at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party.
Scroll down to read more about their bromance through the years:
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They Have Each Other’s Backs
“If I weren’t a singer, I’d be Blake Shelton,” Adam said in one behind-the-scenes video.
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The Support Is There
Adam spoke to Howard Stern about Blake’s relationship with Gwen Stefani — and he basically ships it. “I think they found each other at a really interesting time in their lives. I see it as a beautiful thing. Good for them. And I think that love is a good, wonderful thing,” he said.
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With Hugs Like These …
When asked during a red carpet which musical artist they’d want under their Christmas tree, he didn’t miss a beat or crack a smile and said, “Blake Shelton.”
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The Look
“He’s one of my best friends, I love him to pieces,” Adam told one of his hopeful singers when trying to convince her to choose him, even though Blake would be a better choice.
Blake Makes the First Move
Blake decided to tweet out Adam’s actual phone number during one episode of The Voice … he had no idea what was coming.
Adam Wins the War
What better way to get back at Blake than to cover his pickup truck with manure? “That’s manure, that’s cow dung, that’s feces of animals,” Adam said while Blake watched a video of it happening.
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Sit on My Lap
“We’re those two guys you knew in high school where we have this bond that is unexplainable. It brings out the best and worst in both of us. It truly is an explosive relationship.” — Blake admitting they actually do butt heads sometimes!
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Did We Mention the Look?
“It’s so foreign to see anything that’s genuine on television these days. That’s why I think so much attention is focused on Adam and I.” — Blake understands why people love the bromance.
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Let’s Hold Hands
“He’s one of the best friends that I have, but I still want to kill him sometimes,” Blake said about Adam.
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And Then There Are Kisses
“Why are you obsessed with me,” Adam asked Blake during one episode. “It’s you you. It’s your hair that I’m obsessed with,” he answered.
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Those Dimples Will Get Ya
“Do not make direct eye contact with his dimples,” Adam yelled at one singer, hoping she’d pick him over Blake.
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No Wedding Invite
Levine was noticeably absent from Shelton’s 2021 wedding to Stefani, something Shelton chatted about during a December 2021 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“That’s the reason we didn’t invite him to the wedding is that interview he did on your show. It’s like, ‘I’m not inviting him,'” Shelton said at the time, citing the Maroon 5 singer’s April interview with DeGeneres. At the time, the “Sunday Morning” crooner chatted with the host, joking, “I don’t support their marriage!”
Shelton added that he “purposely did not invite Adam Levine to my wedding — and I think it’s funny,” explaining that there were only 30 people in attendance.
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Time to Say Goodbye
Levine couldn’t resist poking fun at his longtime friend’s departure from The Voice. “It’s about time!” the “Secret” crooner quipped to Entertainment Tonight at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in March 2023.
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Reunited
“I’m really proud of you, man, and I love you,” Levine told Shelton while giving a speech at the “Austin” singer’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2023. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you and I love you and I’m proud of you. And even though you’re an idiot in so many ways, I just love you and I’m happy to be here and it’s an honor to be here for you, and this is a big deal, and I love you, man.”
