Carson Daly has addressed confusion surrounding his role on "The Voice," clarifying that he is not departing the long-running singing competition series. The announcement came after NBC revealed that Keke Palmer will host Season 31, a new spinoff titled "The Voice: Celebrity."
Daly, 53, explained via Instagram that the celebrity spinoff requires a different host, and he views Palmer, 32, as a perfect fit for the role. He praised her as a "triple threat queen" and welcomed her to the "family."
"I am not the right host for it. We have a NEW amazing HOST!" Daly wrote, before expressing gratitude for Palmer's willingness to take on the new gig amidst her busy career. He also emphasized that he is still involved with the show, stating, "Nope. We’re gonna try out these 2 formats this fall/spring & see how it goes! Hopefully this post clears up any confusion. I am still hosting the show currently."
Daly has hosted and produced "The Voice" since its inception 16 years ago, spanning 30 seasons. He noted that he will continue to produce "The Voice: Celebrity" from behind the scenes while remaining the host of the original format.
The distinction between the two versions lies in their contestants. The traditional "The Voice" features aspiring singers competing for a record contract, while "The Voice: Celebrity" will pit well-known figures from acting, music, and other entertainment fields against each other to determine the first celebrity champion.
Palmer announced her new role on Instagram, telling fans, "That’s right. It’s true. I’m hosting ‘The Voice.’ I’ll see you guys there."
"The Voice: Celebrity" is slated to premiere in 2027. Returning coaches for the spinoff include Queen Latifah and Riley Green, with Joe Jonas making his debut as a coach. Meanwhile, "The Voice" Season 30, with Daly as host, is scheduled to premiere on NBC on September 21.
Earlier reports had suggested Daly was stepping back from hosting due to his demanding schedule as a "Today" co-anchor and a desire to spend more time with his family. A source told The US Sun that Daly's "Today" show commitments and his aim to reduce time away from his family made him decline hosting Season 31.