John Legend Shares The Reason He Won’t Be Returning To “The Voice”
on May 27, 2026
John Legend’s History With The Voice
John Legend first started his journey as a coach on The Voice since Season 16. He initially joined the series as an advisor in Season 12, but it wasn’t until 2019 he took his spot at the Coaching chair. The singer has since become one of the show’s longest-running stars.
Legend made an immediate impact during his first season on the show, winning Season 16 alongside contestant Maelyn Jarmon.
Since joining The Voice, Legend has appeared in every season except Season 23, returning to the show for Season 24. He has remained a fan-favorite coach known for mentoring powerhouse vocalists and bringing a mix of humor and musical expertise to the NBC series.
Season 30 Judges Revealed
Just last month, as Season 29 of The Voice came to a close, the show revealed the name of the first coach to sign up for Season 30.
That coach was Adam Levine, who won Season 29 of The Voice with team member Alexia Jayy. Levine was one of the show’s original coaches and remained a staple on the series through Season 16 before stepping away for an extended break.
He later returned for Seasons 27 and 29, and is now preparing to be part of the show’s milestone 30th season this fall. Country star Riley Green is also set to join the panel of judges.
Legend, however, will not be returning to the Coaching chair.
RELATED: “The Voice” Unveils Star-Studded Lineup For Milestone 30th Season
John Legend Shares Why He Will Not Be Returning This Season
As for John Legend, there’s a good reason he won’t be returning this fall: he’ll be focused on touring.
In January of 2026, John Legend revealed plans for a new tour, A Night of Songs and Stories, surprising fans with a nationwide run of performances beginning March 18.
Although the U.S. portion of the tour is set to wrap in May, John is expected to remain on the road through the summer, with additional shows scheduled across Europe before returning stateside later in the year.
“I’m excited to bring A Night of Songs & Stories back—just you and me, the piano, and the stories behind the songs,” Legend wrote on Instagram at the time. “This is one of my favorite things to do; there’s something really special about these nights. Come spend the evening with me.”
While Legend is apparently sitting this season out, based on his track record of returning to the show, there’s a good chance he’ll one day be back.
