1679472744 Blake Shelton gets emotional as he hits voice button for

Blake Shelton gets ’emotional’ as he hits voice button for last-ever time: ‘When I said that out loud, it became real’

Outgoing coach Blake Shelton completes his final round of blind auditions on The Voice.  (Photo: NBC)

Outgoing coach Blake Shelton completes his final round of blind auditions for “The Voice.” (Photo: NBC)

At the start of Tuesday’s The Voice season 23 blind auditions – Blake Shelton’s last audition episode ever – host Carson Daly rattled off the stats that the outgoing OG coach has played his 598 times up to this point in the past 12 years pressed the red button for 23 seasons (and had apparently uttered, amusingly and startlingly, “I’ve never heard of that song!” 204 times).

But it was Blake’s 600th button whack that made Voice history when he recruited his last contestant, 19-year-old Nashville singer Grace West. Blake clearly recognized Grace’s song, Pam Tillis’ classic “Maybe It Was Memphis,” saying, “There’s no doubt that she’s country.”

And just like that, Blake’s last team and his heart were full.

“My heart swells just thinking about my journey on this show: 23 seasons, and for the last person I pushed that button for, I didn’t let it take over, I can’t show emotion — but I have done get shaken up a bit,” admitted Blake.

Blake wasn’t the only coach who wanted Americana prodigy Grace: Rookie coach Niall Horan turned around, too. But as Blake said to Grace: “I have one spot left on my team and I would be honored if you would join the last Team Blake and be the last person I will ever push that friggin’ worn-out button for.” ‘ Grace understandably couldn’t help but make TV history herself in response to a trivia question from Voice.

Even if Grace had considered joining Team Niall instead (which Carson wanted “so badly” because “it would have been so fun!”), Kelly Clarkson recently grudgingly admitted that Blake always went “The King of The Voice.” surprising for her longtime competitor. “I can’t even believe I’m doing this but it’s his last day and I have to say Blake is a great coach for you in that regard,” Kelly honestly told Grace. “I love Niall, and Niall killed it… but I’ve also known Blake for years, and he’s the guy who really helps artists. The [speech] is my gift to Blake Shelton.”

The story goes on

“Losing to Blake at his very last artist? I’ll admit,” good jock Niall shrugged after Grace made her decision and an undeniably emotional Blake celebrated on stage in front of fireworks and a giant, flashing BLAKE’S LAST TEAM LED screen.

“I’m done! I’ll never do that again! I’ll never push that button again! Get out!” yelled Blake, melodramatically pretending to rip the button off the desk of his hydraulic red chair. Of course, he technically has the opportunity to hit again during combat rounds when he steals or saves… but this was the last time he was ever able to officially declare “My team is full!”

Blake claimed, “I’m dating the strongest team I’ve ever had,” and said, “If I don’t win this last season, it’s really embarrassing!” But while he may be the fan favorite among veteran Voice viewers, who would love to take him to the top, despite her supportive endorsement from Blake on Tuesday, Kelly is just as competitive – as is Niall and this season’s other new coach, Chance the Rapper. “I think the best way to leave a job is to lose on the way out!” Chance joked.

But anyway, all snarky jokes aside, Blake is really going to enjoy every minute he has on The Voice. “I don’t usually get wrapped up in those moments, but when I push my button for Grace, who’s the last person I’ll ever do this for…” he said earnestly to Carson, pausing and choking as he left it all out The knowledge of his words sinks in. “I can’t believe I just said that. I got kind of emotional. I knew I was trying to take in every moment when I got here – and it goes by so quickly. So when I said that out loud, it became real.”

Blake Shelton takes a moment to take it all in, amidst the glare of his fireworks on his final night with The Voice.  Blind Auditions.  (Photo: NBC)

Blake Shelton takes a moment to take it all in, amid the glare of his fireworks, on his final night of “The Voice” blind auditions. (Photo: NBC)

These were the other last successful auditions of Season 23:

NariYella, 20: “Just one night”

This dramatic diva with the big voice and even bigger personality reminded me of Donna Summer, although Chance compared her to a young Jennifer Hudson. Chance described NariYella as “very tenured” and competent “way, way, way beyond her years,” and Blake said, “Her voice is really shocking to me.” Kelly told her, “You have a personality that’s like that is incredibly captivating. … It takes that kind of passion to win a show like this.”

Who turned? All four coaches – which was a big deal considering there were only a few spots left on the team and the coaches were particularly picky. Four-chair turns are fairly rare on the last night of blinds.

Result: team chance. And already his team was full!

Katie Beth Forakis, 25: “Ghost”

This small-town Tennessee church girl turned Justin Bieber’s “massive pop song” into a melancholic piano ballad dedicated to her late mother, who was her biggest fan and supporter. Niall broke out in goosebumps all over her – “I honestly didn’t know I could have hair [raise] on my cheeks,” he gushed – describing Katie’s bird-like, fragile tone as “fairytale stuff.” Kelly told her: “We literally haven’t heard anyone like you. You will be noticed.”

Who turned? Kelly and Niall.

Result: Team Kelly! Niall’s fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending.

Talia Smith, 29: “Don’t worry”

This Queens queen, who works full-time as an intelligence analyst and “executive recruiter” for the US Army, returned to music to emotionally recover from a recent miscarriage. Her partially a cappella performance of what an enthusiastic Kelly called a “big song” was sparkling, noble, and reminiscent of Diana Ross’ “Home” finale in The Wiz. Chance confessed that if he had had the opportunity, he would have totally chosen Talia.

Who turned? Just Niall, the last coach standing. But he was delighted that he could recruit Talia without having to put up a fight. “What a way to complete a team! It had absolutely everything,” he explained.

Result: Team Niall, obviously. And now Talia, the soulful soldier, joins the other 39 season 23 recruits on her way to battles… Blake’s very final rounds of combat, of course. Until next week.

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