Blake Shelton says his professional career has taken ‘a backseat’ to his marriage with Gwen Stefani

Blake Shelton opened up about his relationship with Gwen Stefani during an interview with Entertainment Tonight that was released on Friday.

During the sit-down, the 46-year-old hitmaker opened up about prioritizing his marriage with the 52-year-old singer over his other professional commitments.

The performer and his now-wife tied the knot last year after previously meeting while working on the hit singing competition series The Voice.

Shelton began the interview by stating that he had placed his family life before his other professional efforts.  

He stated: ‘I love all the cool things I get to do…but those things all take a backseat now to Gwen and the kids and it’s just a new phase of my life.’

The songwriter also remarked that he was at a place in his life where he had the freedom to record when he wanted to.

‘I’m having fun putting out songs when I feel like it and luckily the record label allows me to do that,’ he said. 

Family man: Shelton began the interview by stating that he had placed his family life before his other professional efforts; he is seen with Stefani in June

Shelton noted that his label was willing to work with him on an irregular schedule. 

‘I just go, “Hey, I want to do this. Will you guys help me?” and they’ll jump on board and we’ve had some big records that way. Hopefully this will be another one,’ he said.

The performer then stated that he would never have expected to end up with Stefani during the early stages of his career.

‘I would have probably said, “Are you talking about that girl that holds up the orange in her video?” I never understood until now that she’s from Orange County,’ he said.

Unexpected: The performer then stated that he would never have expected to end up with Stefani during the early stages of his career

He did make a point of noting that he had experienced much more professional success after becoming a regular on television. 

‘I’ve pulled an audience from TV that maybe didn’t even know who I was, probably didn’t know who I was when I started on The Voice and it’s kind of been the thing that took me to a different level in my career and I love that,’ he said.

Shelton and Stefani initially met while working on The Voice in 2014.

The singer was previously married to Kaynette Gern from 2003 until 2006, and to Miranda Lambert from 2011 until 2015.

On screen: Shelton and Stefani initially met while working on The Voice in 2014

The No Doubt frontwoman was also married to Gavin Rossdale from 2002 until 2016, and the pair welcomed sons Kingston, Zuma and Apollo, aged 16, 13, and eight, over the course of their marriage.

The now-couple announced that they had separated from their spouses and began dating in November of 2015.

Shelton and Stefani went on to become engaged in 2020, and they tied the knot during a wedding ceremony that was held at the former’s ranch in Oklahoma in July of last year. 

Tying the knot: Shelton and Stefani went on to become engaged in 2020, and they tied the knot during a wedding ceremony that was held at the former’s ranch in Oklahoma in July of last year