Blake Shelton calls himself a 'country singer first', happy he's away from Hollywood after 'The Voice'

TISHOMINGO, OKLAHOMA: After a 23-season run as a coach on 'The Voice', Blake Shelton is embracing a more grounded life after distancing himself from Hollywood.

After he departed from the bright lights of Tinsel Town, Shelton is rediscovering his roots in country music and savoring the joys of family, football, and a well-deserved break from the “hamster wheel” of constant work.

Blake Shelton opens up about life after 'The Voice'

Having joined 'The Voice' in 2011, Blake Shelton stepped away from the show at the end of Season 23 in May 2023 marking a pivotal moment for the singer.

“I really, and I mean really indulged in not being on a television show anymore,” Shelton shared with People.

He described how the decision allowed him to refocus on the passion that first brought him to Nashville.

“It’s just been great for me to get back in the mode of, ‘Hey, I’m a country singer first'. That’s what I left Ada, Oklahoma, when I was a teenager to go be. I never want to get that far away from what I feel like I meant to do ever again,” he said.

Despite the show’s undeniable impact on his career — “It was the biggest, most important career move of my life,” he said — Shelton admitted he’d been itching to leave for some time.

“I think I was close to calling it a day right when Covid hit. And then because of Covid, I didn’t want to walk away from the show and leave everybody in a bind,” he revealed to 'Today' host Carson Daly earlier this year.

However, Shelton left the door slightly ajar for a potential return.

“If they were ever able to put together the original four coaches again, maybe [I’d return] for one season, a one-off,” he said, referring to the inaugural coaching panel of CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, and himself.

Blake Shelton’s bold career move

Earlier this year, Blake Shelton ended his 25-year tenure with Warner Music Nashville and signed with BMG, signaling a fresh start.

His latest single, 'Texas', released on November 15, showcases his renewed passion for country music.

“It was just time for a new chapter, honestly. And I’m ready for it,” he said.

Shelton described how the song struck a balance between familiarity and forward momentum.

“There was something familiar about it — and then something that felt like a step forward at the same time.”

This thoughtful approach to his career reflects Shelton’s desire to make deliberate choices.

“The last couple of years, especially since I’ve retired from The Voice, I’ve just kind of been trying to be very mindful of the next thing that I do,” he said. “Be thoughtful about it and be sure that I’m not just doing things because I’m on the hamster wheel anymore.”

Blake Shelton reveals his non-negotiable rule for family time

Blake Shelton’s life now revolves around family and home. Married to Gwen Stefani, he cherishes time spent with her and her three sons, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo.

While the couple isn’t competing in music — Stefani’s latest album 'Bouquet' debuted the same day as Shelton’s single — they are celebrating together.

“We just want to take over that day for one day,” Shelton joked. “We want it to be about our family — and then everybody else can have it back.”

Shelton has also set clear boundaries around his work-life balance, prioritizing holidays and downtime.

“I say, ‘Alright, y’all book me here to do things, but leave my Fourth of July alone'. And when it’s fall, I don’t want to be doing stuff. That’s my time to be,” he explained.

At the heart of this simpler life is time spent watching football with loved ones. “Last Sunday, I told Gwen, ‘I’m having the best day'. We had family over, cooked a good meal,” he recalled.

“My team won. It was like, ‘I want to have this day every day for the rest of my life — just laid-back family and watching football'.”

Despite his numerous accolades, including six ACMs and 10 CMAs, Shelton is relishing the slower pace of life.

“It happens, and before you know it, you go, ‘My God, where have the last 10 years gone?’” he reflected.