In the world of country music, Blake Shelton is known for his chart-topping hits and his larger-than-life personality, but on Easter Sunday 2022, he took on a new role that left a lasting impression on his friends and fans alike: the Easter Bunny. What was meant to be a lighthearted surprise for his close friend Carson Daly’s family turned into a hilarious moment of chaos when Daly’s youngest daughter, Goldie, reacted with sheer terror to Shelton’s oversized pink bunny costume. This heartwarming—and side-splitting—story, set against the backdrop of a festive Easter celebration in Oklahoma, showcases Shelton’s playful side, his deep bonds with friends, and the unexpected ways that celebrity friendships can create viral moments. Here’s how it all unfolded, and why it remains a cherished memory three years later.
A Festive Easter at the Shelton-Stefani Ranch
Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, was a day of celebration for Blake Shelton and his wife, Gwen Stefani, who hosted a family gathering at their sprawling 1,300-acre ranch in Oklahoma. The couple, who had married the previous year in July 2021, were joined by Stefani’s three sons—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—and a few close friends, including Carson Daly and his family. Shelton, then 45, was in the midst of his 23rd season as a coach on The Voice, while Daly, 48, had been the show’s host since its inception in 2011. Their long-standing friendship, forged through years of working together on the NBC singing competition, often spilled over into their personal lives, with shared holidays becoming a tradition.
Shelton, known for his love of family and his knack for entertaining kids, decided to go all out for the Easter festivities. He donned an elaborate pink bunny costume, complete with floppy ears, matching slippers, and a fuzzy tail—an outfit that would make even the most stoic onlooker crack a smile. The country star’s commitment to the bit was evident as he strutted through the house, much to the amusement of Stefani, who captured the moment on video. “Bunny Blake strikes again! Hope u had a hoppy Easter 🐰🐣 gx,” she captioned the post on Instagram, sharing a clip of Shelton walking down a hallway, trailed by their pets, before planting a sweet kiss on her lips as The Beatles’ “Do You Want to Know a Secret” played in the background.
The video, which quickly amassed over a million views on TikTok, showed Shelton beaming from ear to ear, clearly delighted by his role as the Easter Bunny. For Stefani’s sons—Kingston, then 15; Zuma, 13; and Apollo, 8—the costume was a source of laughter, with Apollo likely being the primary target of Shelton’s playful antics. But the real surprise came when Shelton turned his bunny persona on Daly’s family, who had joined the celebration in Oklahoma, bringing along their four children, including their youngest, 2-year-old Goldie.
Goldie’s Terrified Reaction Steals the Show
Carson Daly, a proud father and the host of The Voice and TODAY, was no stranger to Shelton’s antics, having shared countless laughs with the country star over the years. But nothing could have prepared him—or his daughter Goldie—for the sight of a 6’5” pink bunny towering over her. In a now-iconic photo shared by Daly on Instagram, Shelton is seen holding Goldie in his arms, his bunny ears flopping as he grins broadly for the camera. Goldie, however, is visibly horrified, her face contorted in a scream as she tries to wriggle free, a mouthful of food adding to the comedic chaos of the moment. “Goldie’s not so sure about this Oklahoma #EasterBunny,” Daly captioned the post, adding, “#HappyEaster.”
The reaction was instant and uproarious. Goldie’s terror, juxtaposed with Shelton’s unbridled glee, turned the snapshot into a viral sensation, racking up thousands of likes and comments within hours. Fans and friends alike couldn’t get enough of the hilarious contrast, with TODAY meteorologist Al Roker chiming in, “Hope Uncle Blake is kicking in for the therapy that will be needed.” Daly’s wife, Siri Pinter, also shared the photo, adding another image of her posing with Stefani, capturing the festive spirit of the day despite Goldie’s meltdown.
The moment was a perfect encapsulation of Shelton’s playful relationship with Daly’s family. As “Uncle Blake,” Shelton has often gone out of his way to entertain the kids, whether it’s playing bar games on their show Barmageddon or dressing up in costumes to keep the laughter going. But for Goldie, the towering bunny was simply too much, her genuine reaction becoming a cherished memory for both families—and a source of endless amusement for fans.
A Friendship Forged on The Voice
The Easter Bunny incident wasn’t just a standalone moment of hilarity; it was a reflection of the deep bond between Shelton and Daly, a friendship that had been growing for over a decade. The two first crossed paths in 2011 when The Voice premiered, with Daly as the host and Shelton as one of the original coaches alongside Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and CeeLo Green. Over the years, their shared tenure on the show—Shelton stayed for 23 seasons until 2023—created a brotherhood marked by mutual respect, shared laughter, and a bit of good-natured ribbing.
Shelton often teased Daly for his “grumpy old man” persona, joking in a 2023 interview that Daly was “the grumpiest man on the planet” and “always chewing my ass out about something.” But beneath the banter was a profound friendship, one that Daly himself acknowledged when Shelton announced his departure from The Voice. “Today’s just gonna be weird!” Daly posted on social media on Shelton’s final day in the red chair. “For over 12 years I’ve watched the cowboy do his thing on @nbcthevoice & we have laughed & had fun, literally the entire time. Thank you buddy!”
Their bond extended beyond the set, with Daly officiating Shelton and Stefani’s wedding in July 2021—a role that Stefani said she chose because Daly was “in our spiritual circle.” Shelton, in his typical humorous fashion, told Seth Meyers on Late Night that Daly was the perfect choice because of how he “handled those wet T-shirt contests back in the day” during his MTV Spring Break specials. The Easter Bunny moment, then, was just one in a long line of cherished memories, a testament to how their friendship brought joy to their families and fans alike.
Shelton’s Family Man Side: Why He Stepped Away
The Easter celebration also highlighted Shelton’s deep commitment to family, a value that has increasingly shaped his life and career decisions. In February 2023, Shelton announced he would be stepping away from The Voice after 23 seasons, citing his role as a stepdad to Stefani’s sons as a primary reason. “I think being a stepdad has changed my perspective in that I’m not the first person that I think about anymore,” he told Access. “Even to the small little things when you go, ‘I think I’ll do this,’ the very next thought is always, ‘Well, wait a minute. How’s that going to work?’ Or, ‘What will they think?’ Or, ‘How will that affect a schedule?’”
Shelton’s decision to prioritize family life was echoed by Stefani, who told Extra in November 2022, “We have lives outside of work, and it’s a really good life, it’s really fun, and we have so much fun! We have Oklahoma, which is something I never knew I needed and wanted, you know? We planted a garden, we do all kinds of fun stuff.” The Easter Bunny costume, while humorous, was a reflection of Shelton’s dedication to creating joyful moments for his stepchildren and their friends, even if it meant scaring poor Goldie in the process.
A Viral Moment That Keeps on Giving
Three years later, as of April 28, 2025, the Easter Bunny incident remains a fan favorite, often resurfacing on social media around the holiday season. The video of Shelton in his pink bunny suit, paired with Goldie’s terrified reaction, has been viewed millions of times across platforms, a testament to the enduring appeal of Shelton’s goofy charm and Daly’s relatable parenting moment. Fans continue to share the clip, with comments like “Bunny Blake is the best!” and “Goldie’s face is everything,” keeping the memory alive.
The story also underscores the power of celebrity friendships to create moments of joy in unexpected ways. Shelton and Daly’s bromance, much like Shelton’s bond with Luke Bryan, thrives on humor and heart, offering fans a glimpse into the personal lives of stars who remain grounded despite their fame. For Goldie, now 5 years old, the Easter Bunny might still be a source of trepidation, but for the rest of us, it’s a reminder of the magic that happens when friends come together to celebrate life’s simple pleasures—even if it means a few tears along the way.
In a world often filled with serious headlines, Blake Shelton dressed as the Easter Bunny—and Carson Daly’s daughter losing it—gave us a moment of pure, unfiltered joy. It’s a story that continues to hop back into the spotlight, proving that sometimes, the best memories are the ones that make us laugh the hardest.
