Adam Levine found himself in hot water as a judge on The Voice during season 15. The Maroon 5 singer, who returned for season 27 of the singing competition series, was embroiled in controversy during season 15 after saving former contestant Reagan Strange — who was out sick — without actually having to sing during the 2018 episode, while sending DeAndre Nico home in an infamous scandal dubbed “Bathrobegate.”
Life & Style explains all the drama that went down between Team Adam.
Inside Team Adam’s ‘Bathrobegate’ Controversy on ‘The Voice’ Season 15
Viewers witnessed an unusual Instant Save round between Team Adam contestants DeAndre and Reagan as well as Dave Fenley from Team Blake.
DeAndre belted out John Legend’s “All of Me,” while Dave belted out his best notes to the song “Amazed” by Lonestar. Reagan, who was 14 years old at the time, did not perform on stage due to illness and instead watched the show from the audience while wearing a bathrobe and a full face of glam, which is how the scandal got its name.
After DeAndre and Dave rocked the stage, Adam pleaded with viewers for Reagan’s safety and seemingly played favorites between two of his contestants.
“I have a very special relationship with Reagan – and I have two little girls at home and the thought of breaking their heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot to go redeem herself next week would be far beneath me,” Adam said as Reagan sat in the crowd and DeAndre onstage. “So, I gotta fight for my girl and I gotta make sure that I represent her properly in this moment because she didn’t have a chance to use her voice tonight.”
DeAndre received the least amount of fan votes and was instantly sent home.
The Voice’s DeAndre Nico Responds to Adam Levine
DeAndre shared his feelings about his coach choosing another contestant over him on the show during a post-elimination interview.
“It was just weird. I’m not being rude. I just felt like he sold me out and I just don’t respect it. I’m just being honest,” he said.
“We did our job, sick or not. I just got over laryngitis. When I came back, I still sang. It wasn’t none of that anxiety or none of that stuff,” DeAndre continued, adding, “I know that [Reagan’s] a little kid, but it’s like, ‘Man, [Adam,] you could have put some words in for me at all, like something!’”
‘The Voice’ Judge Adam Levine Reacts to ‘Bathrobegate’
Adam addressed the controversial moment the following week on The Voice while going through rehearsal with Reagan.
“It was a strange week, but it’s over now,” Adam told Reagan. “DeAndre’s my boy. I love him. We talked.”
The trio even FaceTimed during the episode.
Although the former teammates mended their problems, fans continued to diss Adam and claim he was biased toward certain contestants.
“His lack of respect for his other contestant was despicable! He could have shown grace, respect and courtesy to DeAndre then put in a plug for Reagan,” a fan wrote via X at the time.
Reagan Strange Reacts to ‘Bathrobegate’ on ‘The Voice’
Reagan reacted to the outcome via X in December 2018.
“Tomorrow @NBCTheVoice returns & I’m thankful for the opp my fans gave me sing again. I love you all, even those who don’t want to be loved,” she wrote. “I don’t expect some people to understand. they weren’t there. today is a good day. my baby brother is coming in & I’m so excited to see him.”
Fans Slam Adam Levine for ‘Bathrobegate’
After Reagan broke her silence, fans continued to call out Adam for his shocking move.
“Woww… you are really fine with stealing spot from another deserving contestants for literally doing nothing… #VoiceSaveDeAndre,” one person wrote via X in December 2018.
Adam did not return to The Voice the following season. After his May 2019 departure, Adam returned to The Voice during season 27 in February 2025.
