This Is The Real Reason Adam Levine Is Leaving The Voice After 16 Seasons

Adam Levine recently shocked fans when he announced that he was leaving The Voice after 16 seasons, despite the fact that just two weeks earlier, NBC had confirmed that he would be returning for Season 17. Levine – along with his bestie, Blake Shelton – had been a coach on the show since day one back in 2011 and he had never missed an episode. What happened during those two weeks that caused NBC and Levine to part ways?

According to Cinema Blend, a rumor is swirling that claims Levine embarrassed NBC at the network’s Upfront showcase on May 13th, just three days after the peacock network confirmed Levine would be returning as a coach on the popular singing competition.

Adam Levine’s departure from #TheVoice was not planned. He had previously signed on for two more seasons, which would have paid him nearly $30 million, according to sources https://t.co/h1LUlbJSl0 pic.twitter.com/dIpuSotJRd

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 30, 2019

An Upfront is an event major networks put together for their advertisers every May that reveals all of their new shows that are coming in the fall and also showcases the successful shows that are returning for another season. It’s a big event that has an audience filled with network executives and advertisers who spend millions each TV season. Basically, it’s a sales pitch where networks are showing off a product that they want advertisers to buy.

Many stars from those shows also make appearances, and sometimes they perform. At NBC’s Upfront this year, all of The Voice coaches – Levine, Shelton, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson – were there to perform together. But, according to multiple reports, Levine didn’t want to be there and phoned in a “near-motionless” performance.

Towards the end of Season 16, Levine was allegedly becoming “very difficult” to work with because he was not happy about a rule change this season that left him without a contestant in the semi-finals, which they taped the day before the Upfronts. Levine reportedly made it clear that he was not happy about the rule change, and he didn’t want to be there for the taping. He also refused to comment on the performances of the other judge’s contestants.

By the time Levine got to the Upfronts, he was apparently over it, much to the dismay of NBC executives, especially co-chairman of entertainment, Paul Telegdy, who was “embarrassed” and “furious” about Levine’s attitude in front of advertisers, who are ultimately the people who pay his salary on The Voice.

No one besides Levine and NBC execs knows for sure what happened in those two weeks, but it is obvious something went down that led to Levine’s exit.

Adam Levine to Blake Shelton: "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" https://t.co/0uIqJBbgIl pic.twitter.com/5PAsBn66BX

— Variety (@Variety) May 25, 2019

The Maroon 5 frontman has had nothing but kind words to say about his time on the show, as well as the people who are a part of it. And, on Instagram, he said that he would back to say “Hi” very soon. In the meantime, he is going on a European tour with his band this summer.

As for Shelton, he tweeted that he was having a hard time wrapping his head around Levine’s departure, adding that he was going to “miss working with that idiot.”

Shelton’s girlfriend Gwen Stefani will replace Adam Levine next season, joining Shelton, Clarkson and Legend as the coaches on Season 17 of The Voice, which will air this fall on NBC.