Adam Levine's Alleged Reasons for Leaving 'The Voice' Have Reportedly Been Revealed

“The Voice’s” pioneer judge, Adam Levine, reportedly exited from the show because of the rule changes made last season, which he complained about.

After 16 seasons of being a loved judge on “The Voice,” Adam Levine decided to bid the show farewell and move to greater heights, coming as a big surprise to his fellow judges and fans.

A source told PEOPLE that the 40-year-old singer did not like the changes made for the show, specifically, the Live Cross Battles which was implemented in April.

EXITING THE SHOW

“He’s been wanting to move on for a while,” a source told PEOPLE. “They wanted him to stay but he just really wanted to move on. It’s something he’s been talking to [host] Carson [Daly] and the other coaches about for some time.”

After having been left with no contestants from his team for the 16th season, Levine resented going to Sunday’s taping. According to a source who spoke to TVLine, the Maroon 5 lead singer did not hide his frustrations and was “very difficult” amid the taping, refusing to comment on the other performances.

During the May 13 episode, Levine expressed his frustration as he told Rod Stokes:

“I still don’t understand how you’re not on my team. I don’t think anybody does, just cause it’s weird how it works now,” Levine expressed his frustrations to Rod Stokes. “I’m still learning the rules of the new show.”

His team's elimination occurred during the Live Cross Battles, which may have been the reason behind his exit from the show.

The longtime judge's exit from the show was a hard pill to swallow for the family he is leaving behind on set, specifically Blake Shelton, who expressed his sentiments over the sad news on Twitter.

LIVE CROSS BATTLES

“The Voice” introduced a new round this year, as it debuted the Live Cross Battles in replacement of the Knockouts. Each team is given the privilege to play their ‘best hand,’ choosing a performer from their respective rosters to face off against the other team’s best bet.

Performers do not know which talent they will be up against until they showcase their individual songs, hence the thrill and tension of the segment. The show’s viewers will then vote for their top pick, making each vote in America important in determining the contestant’s fate.

LEAVING FAMILY

The longtime judge's exit from the show was a hard pill to swallow for the family he is leaving behind on set, specifically Blake Shelton, who expressed his sentiments over the sad news on Twitter.

“Having a hard time wrapping my head around @adamlevine not being at @NBCTheVoice anymore. After 16 seasons that changed both our lives,” Shelton said.

The tweet came following the show’s host, Carson Daly’s, announcement of Levine’s decision on the Today show.

“With Adam’s departure, you might be wondering, ‘Well, who’s going to be sitting in that coveted big, giant red chair?” Dally said. “And I’m happy to share this morning that Gwen Stefani will be returning for season 17.”