At a Glance
- Blake Shelton says he was “a nervous wreck” before his 2015 acting debut in The Ridiculous 6
- Adam Sandler “instantly made me feel comfortable” on set, Shelton tells News Of Los Angeles
- The country star now balances Vegas shows with writing “bucket list” collaborations
- Why it matters: Fans see how Shelton’s off-stage humility contrasts with his on-stage swagger
Blake Shelton has spent 25 years commanding arenas, but stepping in front of a movie camera for the first time left him rattled. In a backstage interview, the country star tells News Of Los Angeles how Adam Sandler calmed his nerves during the 2015 Netflix western The Ridiculous 6 and why his current songwriting goals have shifted away from chasing radio hits.
Shelton’s Acting Debut Nerves
“I had to act, and I never really acted before,” Shelton, 49, says of joining Sandler’s star-studded cast. “Everything about it was just like a fish out of water for me.”
The singer played legendary lawman Wyatt Earp alongside Sandler, who co-wrote and starred as Tommy “White Knife” Stockburn. Despite decades of live performance confidence, Shelton admits the experience rattled him.
“I was such a fan,” he says of Sandler, 59. “I didn’t know what he was going to be like, but I wanted him to be like the guy that’s in all these movies, and sure enough, he is. And he literally plays himself, I think, in all of his movies.”
Sandler’s easygoing style quickly settled Shelton’s anxiety.
“Adam instantly made me feel comfortable,” he recalls. “You can’t help smile when you’re around that guy.”
From Nerves to High-Fives with Post Malone
Shelton’s nerves vanished when he teamed with Post Malone on the 2024 hit “Pour Me a Drink,” a collaboration that earned the pair the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year.
“There’s no reason to be nervous around him,” Shelton says of Malone, 30. “If you’re going to be around Post, it’s just going to be a party. There’s nothing about him that would make you want to do anything other than just high-five everybody and drink a beer and smoke a cigarette. Even if you don’t smoke, just start smoking and just party.”
The track’s success reinforced Shelton’s belief that chemistry trumps perfection in the studio.
“I was not nervous about working with him,” he adds. “I was excited about the opportunity just to spend time with him.”
New Music, New Motivation
While Malone contributed songwriting to their duet, Shelton admits he writes far less than earlier in his career. Instead, he’s focused on selective collaborations that feel personally meaningful.
“I am writing right now,” he told News Of Los Angeles backstage at Caesars Palace. “I’m probably not in search of what you would think I would be or what my label would hope I would be in search of, which is big runaway hits.”
His current goal: partner with artists he’s always admired, regardless of commercial potential.
“I hope to get those, but I’m having more fun just writing with people that are bucket list people or someone that I just love,” he explains. “To have to share music with someone special to me for one reason or another is what I get more excited about.”
Vegas Residency Kicks Off
Shelton’s latest creative chapter includes a new Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace that began January 15, 2026. The run continues with shows on:
- January 21
- January 23
- January 24
- January 28
- January 30
- January 31
The venue gives Shelton a home base after years of touring arenas and festivals. He’ll weave the new material he’s writing into the set list, blending fan favorites with fresh collaborations.
Key Takeaways
- Shelton’s acting debut shows even seasoned performers face new-craft jitters
- Sandler’s on-set kindness turned anxiety into enjoyment
- Post Malone’s party vibe erased any studio tension
- Shelton now prioritizes personal fulfillment over chart ambition
- Vegas residency offers stability while he experiments with songwriting partners
