In the world of reality TV, few friendships have captured the hearts of viewers quite like the bromance between Adam Levine and Blake Shelton on The Voice. For 16 seasons, the Maroon 5 frontman and the country music superstar entertained audiences with their playful banter, witty insults, and undeniable chemistry, turning their rivalry into one of the show’s most beloved elements. On April 24, 2025, Levine dropped some hilarious bombshells about Shelton during an interview with People, shedding light on their iconic dynamic and revealing why fans couldn’t get enough of their on-screen antics. As of April 28, 2025, with Levine back on The Voice for Season 27 and Shelton enjoying life on his Oklahoma ranch, the legacy of their banter continues to resonate, offering a nostalgic look at a friendship that defined an era of the show.
The Birth of a Bromance: A Rivalry That Stole the Show
When The Voice premiered on NBC in 2011, it brought together four music heavyweights as coaches: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, and CeeLo Green. While the show’s format—blind auditions, spinning red chairs, and a focus on vocal talent—was innovative, it was the chemistry between Levine and Shelton that quickly became a standout feature. The tattooed rock star and the Oklahoma cowboy seemed like an unlikely pair, but their friendship blossomed almost instantly, fueled by a shared sense of humor and a competitive spirit that kept viewers hooked.
Levine, now 46, and Shelton, 48, spent 16 consecutive seasons together on The Voice, from 2011 to 2019, when Levine left after Season 16. Shelton stayed on until Season 23 in 2023, racking up nine wins and cementing his status as the show’s most successful coach. But it wasn’t their victories that fans remembered most—it was their banter. “Adam and Blake’s rivalry was the heart of The Voice for so many seasons,” a longtime viewer commented on social media in 2025, reflecting a sentiment shared by many. Their dynamic, often described as a brotherly mix of love and rivalry, turned every episode into a comedy show, with the two trading jabs that ranged from silly to savage.
In his recent People interview, Levine dropped a bombshell about how their friendship began. “We got along famously instantly—like a nice, friendly, sweet version of when I met Blake,” Levine said, recalling their first meeting on the set of The Voice in 2011. He described an early moment when he was coaching with his fellow Season 27 judges, including Kelsea Ballerini, and Ballerini playfully challenged him during a session. “She looked up at me and said, ‘Hey, you going to pretend you like us?’” Levine recounted. “I thought that was so funny and on point—just instant friendship, because I always love someone who’s not afraid to give me a little bit of s—.” Levine likened Ballerini’s boldness to Shelton’s, revealing that this fearless teasing was what sparked their bond from the start.
Bombshells That Had Fans Laughing
Levine didn’t hold back in sharing some of the more outrageous moments from his time with Shelton, dropping hilarious bombshells that had fans reminiscing about their favorite Voice memories. One revelation came from the Season 27 premiere in February 2025, when Levine took over Shelton’s iconic red chair—a spot previously occupied only by Shelton and Reba McEntire. Sitting in the “mangy, musty chair,” as Levine jokingly called it, he sent Shelton a series of sassy texts during an episode, hoping to get a rise out of his old friend. “Hey, I’m in your old stupid chair now… stupid,” Levine texted, followed by, “God, I hate you,” and a string of “Haha” messages. When Shelton didn’t respond immediately, Levine added, “Miss you… just kidding, I can’t stand you. Are you getting these?” The playful exchange, which Levine shared with a mock eye-roll, showcased the ongoing nature of their banter, even with Shelton off the show.
Another bombshell came when Levine revealed the worst part of his return to The Voice—and, unsurprisingly, it involved Shelton. “The one bad part about shooting this season of The Voice is that I have to sit in this filthy chair,” Levine told Ballerini, referring to Shelton’s old seat. The comment, dripping with mock disdain, echoed a long-running gag between the two, with Levine often teasing Shelton about his “cowboy” habits. In a 2015 outtake from The Voice shared by NBC on X, Levine had similarly roasted Shelton, saying, “I’m just trying to get through this season without catching whatever Blake’s got,” a quip that left the crew in stitches. These moments of shade, Levine explained, were a key part of why fans loved their dynamic—they were never malicious, always delivered with a wink, and rooted in genuine affection.
Levine also shared a story about how Shelton “hazed” Ballerini before she joined The Voice, warning her that Levine was “ruthless” and “mean.” Ballerini, however, found Levine to be “lovely,” leading Levine to joke, “If he’s being nice to you, that means he’s lying.” The revelation that Shelton had tried to intimidate Ballerini with tales of Levine’s competitiveness was a classic example of their playful rivalry, with Shelton’s absence doing little to dim their ongoing feud. Fans on social media erupted with laughter, with one writing, “Blake warning Kelsea about Adam is peak bromance—I can’t stop laughing!”
Why Fans Loved Their Banter: A Mix of Humor and Heart
So why did fans adore the Levine-Shelton banter so much? Levine offered some insight in his People interview, explaining that their dynamic was “so organic” and “based on our friendship.” Unlike scripted reality TV drama, their interactions were unfiltered, often spontaneous, and deeply authentic. “The thing with Blake and I, it was never fake,” Levine said. “We’d roast each other, but we’d also have each other’s backs. That’s what made it special.” This authenticity resonated with viewers, who saw in their friendship a reflection of real-life sibling-like bonds—full of teasing, but grounded in love.
Their banter often took on a competitive edge, especially when it came to recruiting talent on The Voice. For 16 seasons, Levine struggled to secure country artists for his team, as they frequently chose Shelton, a country music veteran with an award-winning career. In March 2025, Levine finally landed a country singer, 17-year-old Trevon Dawson, and couldn’t resist a dig at Shelton. “I’m going to call my friend Blake Shelton and be like, ‘Hey stupid, I got a country artist now,’” Levine quipped, a moment that had fans cheering for his long-overdue victory. The playful taunt, delivered during an episode of The Voice, highlighted how their rivalry fueled some of the show’s most entertaining moments.
Fans also loved the tender moments that punctuated their banter, revealing the depth of their friendship. One iconic instance occurred during the 2015 ACM Awards, when Shelton and Levine co-hosted the event, and Shelton gave Levine a “magical bro hug” after Levine won Entertainer of the Year. The genuine affection in that embrace, amidst their usual snarky exchanges, showed viewers that their bond went beyond the screen. “They were like brothers—one minute they’re fighting, the next they’re hugging,” a fan commented on Instagram in 2025, reflecting on why their dynamic was so captivating.
A Legacy That Endures
Shelton’s departure from The Voice in May 2023 after 23 seasons left a void, with many fans noting that the show felt different without his larger-than-life presence. Levine’s return for Season 27 in 2025 brought back some of that magic, but he admitted that “there’s no replacing” Shelton. “The thing that happened with Blake and I, it was so organic,” he told People. Yet, Levine has found a new sparring partner in Kelsea Ballerini, who reminds him of Shelton with her fearless teasing. During a Season 27 episode, Ballerini playfully mocked Levine’s “caveman” compliment—“Big-time wow”—prompting Levine to laugh and say, “This is very reminiscent of the Blake Shelton vs. Adam Levine days.”
The Levine-Shelton banter also had a lasting impact on The Voice itself, setting the tone for the show’s lighthearted atmosphere. Their rivalry, often bordering on “light harassment” as American Songwriter described it, became a defining feature, with viewers tuning in as much for their exchanges as for the talent. Even now, with Shelton off the show, Levine keeps the tradition alive, as seen in a February 2025 episode where Ballerini used a special button to play recordings of Shelton dissing Levine, a “cameo” that left Levine both amused and trolled. “Blake will never know peace again,” an NBC Insider article quipped, capturing the enduring nature of their dynamic.
A Friendship That Transcends the Screen
Beyond The Voice, Levine and Shelton’s friendship has continued to thrive, albeit with the same playful jabs that defined their on-screen relationship. In March 2025, Shelton roasted Levine for cutting a contestant who later became a country star, calling him “the most brilliant, yet stupidest coach in The Voice history.” Levine, in turn, has kept up the shade, joking during Season 27 that the best part of his return was “not having to deal with Blake Shelton,” only to clarify, “Of course, I love Blake.” These exchanges, delivered with a mix of humor and heart, show why their banter remains a fan favorite—it’s a friendship that feels real, even in the polished world of television.
As of April 28, 2025, Adam Levine continues to shine on The Voice, guiding his team through the Season 27 Playoffs with the help of mentor Sheryl Crow. Meanwhile, Blake Shelton enjoys life on his Oklahoma ranch with Gwen Stefani and her sons, occasionally popping up in the headlines with new music or ventures like his Ole Red bar chain. But for fans, the Levine-Shelton bromance remains a golden memory, a reminder of a time when two unlikely friends turned a singing competition into a stage for laughter, rivalry, and brotherhood. Levine’s recent bombshells have only deepened that nostalgia, revealing the magic behind their banter and why it captured the hearts of millions.
