Adam Levine and Blake Shelton eventually became one of The Voice’s most recognizable double acts, but Levine has now revealed that their famous friendship began with one slightly awkward detail.

He had no idea who Shelton was.

The Maroon 5 frontman recently looked back at meeting the country superstar before The Voice premiered in 2011, recalling how impressed he was by Shelton during their first NBC meeting.

There was just one problem: Levine did not realize the man he had just met was about to become his co-star.

The revelation left Kelly Clarkson laughing — and immediately reminded fans why so many still want Levine and Shelton reunited on The Voice.

Adam Levine remembers meeting Blake Shelton

Levine shared the story while chatting backstage with his fellow Season 30 coaches Clarkson, Queen Latifah and Riley Green.

“When I first met Blake, it was at an NBC meeting, and it was the first meeting we all had, so it was us and a bunch of other people sitting around,” Levine recalled.

Shelton clearly made an impression.

After the meeting, Levine remembers asking: “That dude was awesome, who was that?”

Someone then gave him the obvious answer.

“That’s your co-star, Blake Shelton.”

Clarkson could not contain her amusement at the idea that Levine had been preparing to work alongside Shelton without knowing who the country singer was.

Levine laughed as he remembered his response: “No s—!”

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The story feels particularly fitting considering what happened next.

Levine came from the pop-rock world as the frontman of Maroon 5, while Shelton was firmly established in country music.

Without The Voice, their careers might never have brought them together in such a significant way.

Both signed on as original coaches when the competition launched in 2011, and their contrasting personalities quickly became part of the show’s appeal.

The pair constantly competed for contestants, mocked each other’s musical tastes and traded increasingly elaborate insults.

Their rivalry never felt entirely serious, however.

Behind the jokes was a friendship that developed over years of working together, and their back-and-forth eventually produced some of the show’s funniest moments.

Fans immediately called for Blake to come back

Levine’s story naturally prompted viewers to reminisce about the original coaching partnership.

Some joked that Shelton probably had exactly the same reaction when he first encountered Levine.

Others went further and called for the pair to share the coaching chairs again.

“Blake was the best of all the coaches of the show,” one fan wrote, adding that Shelton should return for a season with Levine because the reunion “would be epic.”

Another described the two as a “magical” pairing and noted how well their opposite personalities worked together.

One viewer thought Levine’s reaction was especially funny because it sounded exactly like something Shelton himself might have said.

And Clarkson’s response did not escape attention either.

“Kelly had no words! Lol that’s hilarious,” another fan commented.

Their Voice rivalry lasted 16 seasons

Levine and Shelton ultimately coached alongside each other for 16 seasons before Levine stepped away from the competition for an extended period.

Shelton remained much longer.

The country star continued through Season 23 before leaving his famous red chair behind.

Levine eventually returned for Seasons 27 and 29 — and his latest comeback proved particularly successful.

He coached Alexia Jayy to victory in Season 29, making Levine the reigning champion heading into the next competition.

Now he is attempting to defend that title.

Levine returns for Season 30

Season 30 brings another very different coaching combination.

Levine will be joined by Kelly Clarkson, Queen Latifah and Riley Green when the competition returns on September 21.

It gives Levine another opportunity to add to his collection of victories, but his old sparring partner will not be sitting across from him.

Shelton has remained away from the coaching lineup since his Season 23 departure.

Levine, meanwhile, will also sit out the following season.

Season 31, expected in early 2027, will be titled The Voice: Celebrity and will change the familiar format by featuring famous performers rather than unknown aspiring singers.

Riley Green, Queen Latifah and Joe Jonas are set to coach that edition.

Could Blake and Adam ever share the red chairs again?

For longtime viewers, Levine’s latest story demonstrates why interest in a reunion has never completely disappeared.

Their appeal was never simply about two coaches trying to win.

A pop-rock singer who initially did not know the country star sitting beside him eventually developed one of The Voice’s defining friendships and rivalries with that very same man.

Years later, they still take opportunities to poke fun at each other.

And judging by the reaction to Levine’s memory of their first meeting, plenty of fans would happily watch them do it from those red chairs one more time.