You’ve probably seen Blake Shelton in just about every setting imaginable. He’s been the wisecracking coach on The Voice, the denim-clad face of modern country music, and the guy who somehow managed to marry Gwen Stefani. But there is one thing you almost certainly haven't seen: Blake Shelton without a shirt.
It’s kind of a weird thing to realize, right? In an era where every male celebrity seems to have a mandatory shirtless scene in a Marvel movie or a thirst-trap Instagram post, Shelton has remained remarkably covered up. Even when he was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive back in 2017, he stayed fully clothed. No abs, no beach shots, nothing.
The "Divorce Diet" and Self-Image
Honestly, Blake has been pretty open about why he avoids the shirtless life. He’s spent years poking fun at his own weight, often using self-deprecating humor as a shield. He once joked to Today that he felt "fat and ugly" for most of his life. Even when he lost a significant amount of weight—something he famously dubbed the "divorce diet" after his split from Miranda Lambert—he still didn't feel the urge to go topless for the cameras.
There’s a famous story from back in 2016 that basically sums up his entire vibe. Photos surfaced of him and Gwen Stefani getting cozy in a pool. While Gwen was in a bikini, Blake was submerged neck-deep in a giant maroon T-shirt. Reports from Page Six at the time claimed he is so sensitive about his body that he won't even change on set at photo shoots. He retreats to his private dressing room just to swap shirts.
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Why Adam Levine Is the Exact Opposite
The contrast between Blake and his former Voice co-star Adam Levine couldn't be more hilarious. While Levine is basically known for losing his shirt within five minutes of any public appearance, Blake stays buttoned up. He once told Ellen DeGeneres that when people call Adam "Mr. Sexy," Adam gets all humble. Blake’s reaction? "You’re damn right I’m Mr. Sexy! I’ve been ugly my whole life, if I can be sexy for a year, I’m taking it."
But "taking it" doesn't mean taking it off. For Blake, the Sexiest Man Alive title was more about the irony and the "milking it" for jokes than it was about actually showing off a gym-sculpted physique.
That Infamous "Deer Track" Tattoo
If you ever did manage to catch a glimpse of Blake's arm, you’d see what he calls one of the "worst mistakes" of his life. He has a tattoo on his left forearm that was supposed to be deer tracks. Instead, people constantly ask him why he has ladybugs or "Sugar Smacks" cereal tattooed on his arm.
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He eventually added a ring of barbed wire around it to make it look "more manly," but he remains pretty embarrassed by it. He actually told American Songwriter in early 2025 that he and the tattoo artist weren't exactly sober when the ink happened. The fact that his only major skin art is something he regrets probably adds to the reasons he isn't rushing to show more skin.
Dealing with AI Fakes in 2026
In recent months, the internet has made things even weirder for the country star. With the rise of hyper-realistic AI, there have been plenty of "deepfake" images of Blake Shelton without a shirt or in bizarre outfits circulating on social media.
Blake actually addressed this in January 2026, telling Whiskey Riff that he’s seen photos of himself and Gwen that almost fooled him. His tell-tale sign that a photo is fake? The clothes. "I know I don’t own that shirt," he joked. He’s warned fans not to believe everything they see, especially since his real-life "shirtless" count remains essentially at zero.
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What We Can Learn from Blake's Confidence
There’s something actually quite refreshing about Blake's stance. In a world obsessed with "shredded" bodies and 24/7 vanity, he’s built a massive career on being:
- Authentic: He doesn't pretend to be a fitness influencer.
- Relatable: He talks about his "man boobs" and "gut" like a normal guy.
- Focused on Talent: He lets his voice and personality do the heavy lifting.
He’s 49 years old now, and he seems more comfortable than ever just being the guy in the button-down flannel. He’s stepped back from the "hamster wheel" of The Voice to spend more time on his ranch in Oklahoma with Gwen and his stepsons. If he wasn't taking his shirt off for a national magazine cover at the height of his fame, he’s certainly not going to start now.
If you’re looking to channel some of that Shelton energy, the best move isn't a crash diet or a gym membership. It’s leaning into your own quirks. Own the "embarrassing" tattoos, make the joke before someone else can, and remember that being "sexy" usually has more to do with having a sense of humor than it does with having a six-pack. Keep an eye on his Friends & Heroes tour—just don't expect him to pull a "Magic Mike" on stage.