When The Voice premiered in 2011, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine charmed viewers with their friendly (sort of) rivalry and snappy banter. Levine left the show in 2019 after 16 seasons, while the “Ol’ Red” singer hung on for another four years and eight seasons. Much to longtime fans’ delight, the Maroon 5 frontman is returning to his big red chair next year in season 27 after a five-year hiatus. Shelton has said in no uncertain terms that he will only return to The Voice under the right conditions. However, that hasn’t stopped Levine from stirring the pot on social media.

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Adam Levine Shares His NSFW Nickname for Blake Shelton

Taking to Instagram Monday (Oct. 21), Adam Levine shared a much-younger picture of himself with a much-younger Blake Shelton. The 10-time CMT Music Award is planting a kiss on Levine’s forehead, as the “Girls Like You” singer grins widely.

“The Voice season 1 after party, at my house with dips— @blakeshelton,” Levine, 45, wrote in the caption.

“The Voice season 1″ means the picture was taken in 2011, putting Levine and Shelton around the ages of 32 and 35, respectively.

Comments on the post appear to have been limited, but not before several Instagram users remarked on the obvious passage of time. “Oh wow, look at that baby face,” commented one user.

Will Blake Shelton Reunite With His Favorite Frenemy?

In June 2024, NBC announced that Adam Levine would return to The Voice next spring for season 27. Blake Shelton was not among the coaching lineup, which also includes newcomer Kelsea Ballerini and returners Michael Bublé and John Legend.

Upon news of Levine’s return, rumors immediately began swirling that Shelton would join him. And many fans are still holding out hope of seeing the dynamic duo reunited. Unfortunately for them, it seems the “Hillbilly Bone” singer has had his fill after 23 seasons and nine victories.

“[By] the time I got to that last season, it was time,” Shelton told E! News in April 2024.

He added, “I needed to get back to what my day job was anyway, which is, you know, being a country singer.”

Featured image by Jim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock

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