Top 10 Most Memorable and Controversial Moments in the History of 'The Voice' in 31 Photos

What do a forgotten bandmate, an explosive on-air outburst, a jaw-dropping vote scandal, and even a missing wedding invitation all have in common? They each involved the coaches and contestants of NBC's smash hit "The Voice."

Since it first hit screens in 2011, "The Voice" has been more than just a talent show. With its dramatic spinning chairs, superstar coaches, and viral breakout stars, the series quickly earned a spot at the center of prime-time television.

But over the years, the program has also unleashed controversy, heartbreak, and unforgettable drama — from shocking exits and backstage tension to decisions that left fans fuming. Here's a countdown of 10 of the most memorable and controversial moments in the show's history, captured in 31 unforgettable photos.

10. Christina Aguilera's Explosive 'Energy Sucker' Confession

In a searing 2018 interview with Billboard, Christina Aguilera ripped the mask off her glittery coach's chair and admitted that her time on "The Voice" left her drained and frustrated. After five years on the show, the pop superstar bluntly branded it an "energy sucker." She declared, "I was longing for freedom."

Pressed on whether she might ever return, Aguilera refused to commit and instead hinted at her disillusionment. "I didn't get into this business to be a television show host and to be given all these [rules]," she ranted.

The singer went further, insisting the environment was particularly suffocating for women. "You can't wear this, can't say that. I would find myself on that show desperately trying to express myself through clothing or makeup, or hair. It was my only kind of outlet," she revealed.

The harshest blow came when she revealed the show had lost sight of its heart. "It became something that I didn't feel was what I had signed up for in season one," said Aguilera. "You realize it's not about music. It’s about making good TV moments and massaging a story."

9. Ryan Gallagher Kicked Off for 'Breaking COVID-19 Protocols'

Season 19 of "The Voice" delivered a stunning twist when Ryan Gallagher, a 31-year-old classical vocalist from Ada, Michigan, was suddenly kicked off the show. He had been fighting for a coveted Top 17 spot on Kelly Clarkson's team in the tense 4-Way Knockout round — but then came the shocking announcement.

At the top of the next episode, host Carson Daly stunned fans by declaring that Gallagher "had to exit the competition." With Gallagher gone, the winner was selected from votes cast for the three remaining contestants — and Taryn Papa advanced.

Confusion rippled through viewers who remembered Gallagher revealing his mother had been hospitalized with COVID-19. Many assumed tragedy had forced him out. But Gallagher quickly took to social media, reassuring fans: his family was fine.

The real reason soon emerged. ET confirmed that Gallagher had been disqualified for violating the show's uncompromising COVID-19 protocols — strict measures enforced to protect coaches, crew, and contestants.

8. Blake Shelton Confronted By Forgotten Bandmate

Season 20 in 2021 brought a jaw-dropping reunion when blind audition contestant Pete Mroz revealed a hidden connection to none other than Blake Shelton.

Mroz delivered Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home," winning chair turns from Shelton and John Legend. But Shelton looked puzzled until Mroz explained he had once performed under the name Pete Mitchell — and had been part of The Young Riders, the same Nashville group Shelton had been in decades earlier.

"I haven't seen this guy in 25 years!" Shelton exclaimed. Mroz jokingly accused Shelton of stealing his bass player, to which Shelton fired back, "No, I gave your bass player a job."

Legend teased Mroz to join him "to get back at him," but Shelton made an emotional plea: "Obviously, we would have a blast if we got to work together again. No joke, I would love it." Mroz sealed the moment by choosing Team Blake.

7. Blake Shelton Gets a Gift from a Contestant He Didn't Pick

That same year, contestant Chavon Rodgers auditioned with Olivia Rodrigo's "Driver's License." Despite his strong performance, Shelton didn't turn, and Rodgers went to Ariana Grande's team instead.

But before leaving the stage, Rodgers, who grew up in Ada, Oklahoma — Shelton's own hometown — presented the country star with a carved brick engraved with the word "Ada."

Even without a spot on Team Blake, Rodgers left his mark, drawing on their shared roots to create a touching moment that viewers might never forget.

6. Adam Levine Recognizes Contestant from Viral Video

During the 2017 premiere, contestant Dave Crosby took the stage with Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You into the Dark." Coaches Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, and Shelton all turned — but it was Crosby's introduction that sparked a revelation.

Levine suddenly realized he knew Crosby from viral YouTube fame. Crosby had gained millions of views singing duets with his daughter Claire, including their much-loved cover of "You've Got a Friend in Me."

"What a beautiful thing," Levine marveled. "I can't believe that it's you — the dude from that video sitting in front of me right now. I'm blown away."

5. Adam Levine Slammed For Favoring One Contestant

In December 2018, Levine triggered outrage when he urged fans to vote for Reagan Strange — and ignored his other contestant, DeAndre Nico.

Both were up for the "instant save," but Strange, then just 14, was too ill to perform. Despite Nico taking the stage and performing, Levine directed his support solely to Strange.

"There is an unbelievably talented little girl right now who is not able to fight for her position on this show," he explained. "The thought of breaking [Strange's] heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot to redeem herself next week would be too far beneath me."

Viewers were furious. One blasted, "Adam using his time to gush about Reagan and throw DeAndre under the bus… Yeah there is definitely a conspiracy." Another snapped, "You could have at least waited for the guy to get offstage before you completely threw him under the bus."

Nico himself shared, "It was just weird because I just felt like... I'm not being rude. I just felt like he sold me out... and I just don't respect it. Just being honest. We did our job, sick or not."

He went further, revealing, "I just got over laryngitis. And still, when I came back, I still sang. It wasn't none [sic] of that anxiety or none of that stuff. I know she's a little kid, but it's like, man, you could have put some words in for me at all. Like something, something."

4. Adam Levine's Not-So-Patriotic Comment Sparks Backlash

In 2013, Levine unleashed one of the show's most notorious controversies after being caught on a hot mic muttering, "I hate this country." The shocking remark came during a tense elimination round, as Levine watched in disbelief when two of his team members were sent home.

The casual but cutting comment exploded online, with furious viewers branding him un-American. Under fire, Levine scrambled to explain himself in a statement: "I obviously love my country very much and my comments last night were made purely out of frustration."

He went on to add, "Being a part of 'The Voice,' I am passionately invested in my team and want to see my artists succeed. Last night's elimination of Judith and Sarah was confusing and downright emotional for me, and my comments were made based on my personal dissatisfaction with the results."

Despite the apology, the moment remains one of the most talked-about controversies in the show's history.

3. CeeLo Green Returns After Felony Drug Charge

In 2014, former coach CeeLo Green faced serious legal trouble when he appeared in a Los Angeles court accused of spiking a woman's drink with ecstasy at a sushi restaurant in 2012. While prosecutors dropped an earlier rape charge citing insufficient evidence, Green was still formally charged with furnishing a controlled substance — a felony carrying a possible four-year prison sentence.

The case officially began in October 2013, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 2014. By February of that year, Green announced he would not return to "The Voice," stepping down after serving as a coach since the show's very first season.

Green hired powerhouse defense attorney Blair Berk, known for representing Hollywood's elite. Despite the fallout, he eventually resurfaced on the series in a guest role. In 2018, NBC's official "The Voice" account even posted a GIF of him reconnecting with Levine, signaling that his return — however controversial — was welcomed back into the fold.

2. Adam Levine Snubbed From Blake Shelton's Wedding

In 2021, Shelton revealed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that fellow coach Levine had been left off the guest list for his wedding to Gwen Stefani. The reason? A previous interview Levine gave on the same show.

Just months earlier, Levine had jokingly told DeGeneres, "I don't support their marriage. She's so cool, and he's not. He's not cool… he is vaguely charming." He even teased he might crash the event, saying, "Yeah, I will probably not be invited now, but I’m saying this on live television. But I’ll be there somehow."

When DeGeneres replayed the clip for Shelton that December, the country star laughed, revealing, "You didn't even have to show me this. My mom, like, videoed it — 'Look what he's saying about you on TV.' That's the reason we didn't invite him to the wedding — it's that interview he did on your show."

DeGeneres pressed that otherwise Levine would have been invited, but Shelton didn't back down. "We’ll never know," he said. "I purposely did not invite Adam Levine to my wedding, and I think it’s funny."

The ceremony itself was an intimate affair. "Even if you include some of the people that were there, you know, working with the wedding planner, there was probably still less than 30 people total," Shelton shared. "It was awesome. Yeah, that's exactly what it needed to be."

1. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Romance Blooms on Set

In 2015, "The Voice" became the stage for one of pop culture's most unexpected romances. That year, both Shelton and Stefani were reeling from high-profile divorces — Shelton from country star Miranda Lambert, and Stefani from Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.

During filming, the two coaches grew close, bonding over shared heartbreak. "I had to piece my life back together," Shelton later told Rolling Stone. "But she became my closest ally."

What started as a friendship soon blossomed into a romance that fans followed season after season. Their relationship became a centerpiece both on screen and off, fueling headlines and cementing the pair as one of entertainment’s most-watched couples.

Six years later, they tied the knot. Looking back, Shelton reflected on the unexpected love story, "If you had told me that that's who I'm gonna end up with, I would have thought you were crazy."

Over more than a decade, "The Voice" has delivered dazzling performances — but also scandals, surprises, and unforgettable love stories that secured its place in TV history.