The Voice coach Adam Levine calls it quit on the talent reality show

After signing up to become a judge on The Voice eight years ago, Adam Levine feels it is time to move on.

Levine made the announcement in a lengthy and emotional essay posted on Facebook just hours after The Voice host, Carson Daly, announced that the Maroon 5 frontman would be leaving the reality singing show after 16 seasons.

As the only other original judge — alongside his BFF Blake Shelton — Levine is leaving after first taking his seat in a giant red chair on 26 April 2011, and leading three singers to the winner’s circle over eight years.

“About 8 years ago, [executive producer] Mark Burnett convinced us to sign up for this show where you sit in a big red chair with your back turned away from the singers on the stage,” writes Levine. “First thank you must go to Mark. We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going. After the first day of shooting, I sat there, stunned. I said to myself ‘there’s some magic here. Something is definitely happening.’ It went on to be a life-shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever.”

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Levine had many thanks to share, including for his manager and NBC for allowing him to be part of something “I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life.” He tipped his hat to all the other coaches who’ve sat alongside him over the years, sharing a singular experience that they will all have for the rest of their lives, as well as to all of those who supported him on what he termed a “long strange and amazing left turn into a place I never thought I’d go.”

Read the full post below:

“About 8 years ago, Mark Burnett convinced us to sign up for this show where you sit in a big red chair with your back turned away from the singers on the stage. First, thank you must go to Mark (heart emoji). We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going. After the first day of shooting, I sat there, stunned. I said to myself ‘there’s some magic here. Something is definitely happening.’ It went on to be a life-shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever.

“Thank you, NBC for signing me up. I am truly honoured to have been a part of something I’ll always cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you to every single coach I ever sat in those chairs with. That is (a) shared experience that is singularly ours. We have that for life. Thank you to everyone who supported this long strange and amazing left turn into a place I never thought I’d go. Thank you, Carson Daly, for babysitting the musicians and making sure our shoes were tied and we had our lunch boxes. You are the backbone of this thing and we appreciate you more than you know. Audrey, thank you for being perhaps the most patient person in all the free world. 4 musicians all at once is a lot. Sainthood is imminent. Thank you to Paul Mirkovich and the band for their ridiculously hard work and learning more songs than maybe any band ever. (Laugh emoji). Thank you to the people behind the scenes who do the real work and make this machine hum.

“To the amazingly talented vocalists who competed on the show and blew my mind on a daily basis. And, BLAKE F----N’ 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. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, I’m just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly and John, 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.

“And lastly, to all of the loyal voice fans, there’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on. Your support has meant EVERYTHING. And Lastly, I’d like to thank my manager Jordan for convincing me to take that meeting. What an amazing ride. Thank you all so much. (Heart emoji).
Adam