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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, September 22, 2023 20 By Caroline Collacutt TV Media Bye-bye Blake: "The Voice" returns for its 24th season, pre- miering Monday, Sept. 25, on NBC. One familiar face, howev- er, won't be returning with the rest, as long-running "Voice" coach Blake Shelton ("Body Language," 2021) announced he won't be returning to the series for the first time in its 12- year history. According to NBC, the star has left the show in order to spend more time with family on his Oklahoma ranch, with Shelton having previously been quoted as saying: "I've been wrestling with this for a while, and I've decided that it's time for me to step away from The Voice after Season 23." "This show has changed my life in every way for the better," he continued, "and it will al- ways feel like home to me. It's been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns, and I want to thank everyone at 'The Voice' from NBC, every produc- er, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people; you are the best. "[...] I've made lifelong bonds with [host] Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife, Gwen Stefani! I have to give a huge shout-out to the singers, the 'Voices,' who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent, and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach. Lastly, it's about y'all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches, and every- one at 'The Voice' who are chasing their dreams. It would not happen without you!" Season 23's mega mentor Reba McEntire ("Reba," 1988) is set to fill the country star's mighty big boots (and his chair) during Season 24, join- ing veteran coaches Niall Horan ("The Show," 2023), John Legend ("Bigger Love," 2020) and Gwen Stefani ("The Sweet Escape," 2006). This will be Stefani's first season on "The Voice" without her husband (Shelton) coach- ing alongside her. While ap- pearing on a talk show earlier this year, Stefani commented on the upcoming absence, jok- ing: "Hopefully, it'll give me a chance to win, so there's that." Previously, Stefani won The Voice once (Season 19, with Carter Rubin), while Shelton leaves the show with nine wins under his belt (seasons 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 13, 18, 20 and 22). Whether Stefani will cinch a win, fans will have to wait and see when "The Voice" returns for Season 24, premiering Monday, Sept. 25, on NBC. Star-studded celebra- tion: A celebration of arts, science, entrepreneurship and more, 2023's "Hispanic Heritage Awards" will be broadcast Friday, Sept. 29, on PBS. "The historic 'Hispanic Heritage Awards,' which were created by the White House to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in America, are among the highest hon- ors by Latinos for Latinos and supported by 40 nation- al Hispanic-serving institu- tions," the Hispanic Heritage Foundation states, shared in a description on their web- site (hispanicheritage.org). The event has now been tak- ing place annually for 36 years, highlighting greatness in countless fields. This year, the Hispanic Heri- tage Foundation honors many talented nominees, including Latin music icon WISIN ("Mul- timillo Vol. 1," 2022), for the Vi- sion Award; NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde, for the Media Award; Grammy Award-winning musi- cal pioneers Café Tacvba ("MTV Unplugged," 2005), for the Arts Award; Miguel, Veroni- ca and Aida Garza, co-founders of Siete Family Foods, for the Entrepreneurship Award; and the Grammy-nominated Omar Apollo ("Ivory," 2022), for the Inspira Award. Apollo is also scheduled to perform throughout the eve- ning, alongside fellow nomi- nee Café Tacvba, host Leslie Grace, artists Alejandra Guz- man ("Flor de Papel," 1991), A Centennial Tribute To Tito Pu- ente-Starring: Tito Puente Jr. ("Got Mambo?," 2010), Milly Quezada ("Vive," 1998) and Alex Cuba ("Mendó," 2021), Pedrito Martínez ("Acertijos," 2021) and others. Those interested in catching a glimpse of some Hollywood stars will be pleased, as ap- pearances are set to include the likes of actor Michael Cimi- no ("Love, Victor"), b-boy Rich- ard "Crazy Legs" Colón ("Beat Street," 1984), Annie Gonzalez ("Flamin' Hot," 2023), Nicho- las Gonzalez ("The Good Doc- tor"), chef Pati Jinich ("Pati's Mexican Table"), John Leguiza- mo ("John Wick," 2014), Xolo Maridueña ("Blue Beetle," 2023), Constance Marie ("George Lopez"), Francia Rai- sa ("How I Met Your Father") and filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto ("Charm City Kings," 2020). Past honorees at the awards include other "big names," like Linda Ronstadt ("Silk Purse," 1970), Salma Hayek ("From Dusk Till Dawn," 1996), Bad Bunny ("Un Verano Sin Ti," 2022), Zoe Saldana ("Avatar," 2009), Selena Gomez ("Only Murders in the Building"), and many inspiring figures, such as NASA engineers Christina Hernández, Clara O'Farrell and Diana Trujillo. Filmed on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington D.C., footage from 2023's star-studded "His- panic Heritage Awards" will air Friday, Sept. 29, on PBS. The event will also be available to stream the same day on PBS. org and through the PBS video app. realtalk Reba McEntire from "The Voice"

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