Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton React to Adam Levine Leaving 'The Voice'

Adam Levine surprised fans on Friday with the announcement that he would be leaving The Voice. After 16 seasons, the coach decided to step away from the show, calling it "an amazing ride" in a lengthy post on Instagram.

Related: Who Is Replacing Adam Levine On 'The Voice'?

"We had no idea what we were doing or where it was going" wrote Levine. "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."

View this post on Instagram

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. ❤️ 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 “theres 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 honored 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 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. -- 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 FUCKIN’ 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, Im 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. ❤️ Adam

A post shared by Adam Levine (@adamlevine) on May 24, 2019 at 8:12am PDT

Levine is one of two coaches who has been with The Voice since the beginning, alongside Blake Shelton. The country crooner remains for season 17, and shared his own thoughts about Adam leaving in a tweet.

"Having a hard time wrapping my head around Adam Levine not being at The Voice anymore" said Shelton. "After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot."

Together Shelton and Levine spent 8 years together on the singing competition. Kelly Clarkson joined three seasons ago, and John Legend made his debut on the most recent season.

Clarkson too shared some memories about Levine after the news broke on Friday. "While I get that he’s been doing the show for a while and wants to step away, it will be weird showing up for work and he’s not there" wrote the American Idol winner. "To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!"

Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both of ours lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.

— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) May 24, 2019

Found out last night about @adamlevine leaving The Voice & while I get that he’s been doing the show 4 a while & wants to step away, it will be weird showing up 4 work & he’s not there -- To start an amazing show from the ground up is a big deal!

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) May 24, 2019

Levine will be replaced on the upcoming 17th season of the show by Gwen Stefani, who has been a coach on three previous seasons. She will be reunited with her boyfriend Blake Shelton, who she met while filming the show.

Maelyn Jarmon from John Legend's team won the 16th season of The Voice during the finale last week.