Blake Shelto, Gwen Stefani to Headline New Orleans Mardi Gras Amid ‘The Voice’ Shake-Upn

NEW ORLEANS (Azat TV) – Country music superstar Blake Shelton is set to headline the prestigious Krewe of Endymion’s Mardi Gras Extravaganza in New Orleans on February 14, 2026, alongside his wife, pop icon Gwen Stefani. This high-profile performance marks a significant public appearance for Shelton, coming as NBC’s long-running singing competition, The Voice, prepares to debut its 29th season without him, featuring a revamped format and a new coaching lineup.

Shelton and Stefani Take Center Stage at Mardi Gras

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will be the featured headliners for the Endymion Extravaganza, a highlight of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations. The event, known for attracting major talent, will see the musical power couple performing for revelers. Their appearance continues a tradition of high-caliber performers, following acts like Sting and Flo Rida in 2024, and Diana Ross and Maroon 5 in 2022. Adding to the star power, new LSU head football coach Lane Kiffin has been named a co-grand marshal for the 60th Krewe of Endymion parade, according to The Advocate, though he will ride separately aboard a special Mike the Tiger float.

Shelton, a celebrated figure in country music, has maintained a robust touring schedule and presence in the industry, even as his television commitments evolve. His marriage to Stefani, a fellow coach from The Voice, has often been a topic of public interest, following his 2015 divorce from fellow country star Miranda Lambert, who later remarried in 2019.

‘The Voice’ Enters New Era Without Longtime Coach

NBC’s Emmy-winning series, The Voice, is set to return for its 29th season, dubbed The Voice: Battle of Champions, with a multi-night premiere event kicking off on February 23. This upcoming installment introduces substantial format changes and a new coaching panel that notably excludes Blake Shelton, who was a fixture on the show for many years.

The season will feature three coaches instead of the traditional four: Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend. According to NBC, this panel is the first in the show’s history to be comprised entirely of past Voice winners. Each coach will mentor 10 artists, navigating through four competitive rounds. The Blind Auditions will introduce a ‘Triple Turn Competition,’ where coaches vie for the most three-chair turns to gain an advantage. The Battles round will feature a ‘Super Steal’ power for the winning coach, overriding other coaches’ attempts to save artists. The Knockouts will include an ‘in-season all-star competition,’ bringing back two performers from previous seasons for each team, with familiar faces like Girl Named Tom and Jake Hoot for Team Kelly, Maelyn Jarmon and Renzo for Team John, and Javier Colon and Jordan Smith for Team Adam, as reported by TV Insider. The competition will culminate in a Top 9 semifinal and a Top 4 finale, introducing a new voting block of ‘super fans and past Voice artists.’

Shelton’s Evolving Public Profile

Blake Shelton’s departure from The Voice marks a significant shift for both the artist and the show. For over a decade, Shelton was synonymous with the red swivel chairs, known for his charismatic banter and numerous winning artists. His consistent presence made him one of television’s most recognizable personalities, extending his reach far beyond country music circles. His upcoming Mardi Gras performance with Gwen Stefani underscores his continued commitment to live music and high-profile public engagements, even as his television role transitions. This allows him to focus on his musical career and other ventures, maintaining his celebrity status through different avenues.

The strategic move to headline events like Mardi Gras, coupled with his absence from The Voice, suggests a deliberate evolution in Blake Shelton’s career, signaling a shift from consistent television presence to more selective, high-impact public appearances that reinforce his identity as a performing artist and cultural figure in 2026.