Blake Shelton has made it clear that family now comes before everything else in his life, and he doesn’t want to look back one day wishing he had spent more time with the people closest to him.
After 23 seasons as a coach on NBC’s The Voice, Shelton announced his decision to step away from the long-running competition series. While leaving a show that had been such a major part of his career wasn’t easy, his priorities had changed.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Shelton explained that he and his wife, Gwen Stefani, had already spent much of their lives traveling, touring and working. These days, they’re just as happy slowing things down, staying home and enjoying ordinary evenings together.
That change has also allowed Shelton to devote more time to being a stepfather to Stefani’s three sons, Kingston, Zuma and Apollo, whom she shares with former husband Gavin Rossdale.
After years of putting so much energy into his career, Shelton was ready to be more present at home. For him, being part of Gwen’s sons’ lives isn’t simply something that came with marriage — it’s a responsibility and a role he takes seriously.
“If I walked away from my career at this time, the only thing that I run the risk of is having regrets that I’m missing out on some more important things in life. For now, that’s our kids. This isn’t about me anymore and never will be again,” Shelton acknowledges. And it’s true—it doesn’t matter if those children are biologically his or not, they’re still his kids and he’s responsible for raising them along with their other parents.
“Even though I’m a stepparent, I take that job very seriously. The kids see me as a very important person in their life,” he continues. “[When they ask], ‘Why isn’t Blake here?’ I take that stuff to heart. I’ve made plenty of money, but you can’t buy time back. I don’t want any regrets.”
Of Stefani, whom he married in July 2021, Shelton says he’s more than happy to feel “settled” with her at this point in their lives.
“The relationship that we have is so natural and so normal. This feels like the easiest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he says of marriage. “To me, she’s my best friend and everything that I need and lean on.”
He also says that he doesn’t feel guilty about “quitting” his job for the time being to enjoy life in their shared family home in Oklahoma, where they can get away from “everything” in L.A.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Man, come on. You’re not quitting ‘The Voice’ [to do] nothing!’ But I really am. Please, I’m accepting ideas,” he jokes. “It’s time to push some of this [work] stuff out and let more family and personal life in.”