Will.i.am in 2025: Tech, TV, and Life After Black Eyed Peas

You know him as the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas, but will.i.am these days is just as likely to be coaching singers on The Voice UK as he is building tech products. His net worth is an estimated $40 million, and he has a surprising reason for not owning a home.

Full name: William James Adams Jr. ·
Date of birth: March 15, 1975 ·
Net worth: $40 million (estimated) ·
Black Eyed Peas albums sold: 31 million ·
Years active: 1992–present

Eight key facts, one pattern: will.i.am has built a career that spans music, television, and technology, but his personal life remains deliberately non-traditional.

The hard numbers confirm a career built across three industries.

What does will.i.am do now?

Current role on The Voice UK

• Will.i.am has been a coach on The Voice UK since 2012, returning for every season (Wikipedia).
• He is the longest-serving coach on the panel alongside fellow music producer Tom Jones.

His TV presence is steady, but his main focus outside music is his technology company i.am+.

Tech ventures and AI projects

• Founded i.am+ in 2012, a company that develops AI-powered consumer electronics and software (biography page on Wikipedia).
• Products include the “Butterfly” 3D-printed smartwatch and a voice assistant called AneedA.

His tech work has drawn both investment and criticism, but will.i.am continues to pitch i.am+ as a platform for creative AI.

Solo music releases and collaborations

• He has released four solo albums and scored hits like “Scream & Shout” with Britney Spears (Wikipedia).
• He continues to produce and feature on tracks by artists such as Justin Bieber and David Guetta.

The implication: will.i.am now prioritizes his TV coaching role and his tech company over full-time touring.

Why did Black Eyed Peas kick out Fergie?

Fergie’s departure timeline

• In June 2017, will.i.am confirmed that Fergie had left the Black Eyed Peas (REVOLT).
• The band’s last album with Fergie was The Beginning (2010). After a seven-year hiatus, the remaining members returned as a trio.

Fergie’s departure was not abrupt; she had been working on solo projects for years.

Official statements from the band

• The group stated there was no conflict and that they supported Fergie’s solo career (E! News).
• Will.i.am told the Daily Star in February 2018: “There’s no beef, she’s family” (Wikipedia).

The departure was amicable, and Fergie continues to release music as a solo artist.

“We are supporting her solo journey.” – Black Eyed Peas statement, as reported by REVOLT

Fergie’s solo career

• Fergie’s solo debut The Dutchess (2006) sold millions. She released singles in 2017 but has not dropped a full album since.
• She has focused on motherhood and acting, appearing in the film Live by Night.

The catch: for Black Eyed Peas fans, the trio has lost some pop star power without Fergie. For Fergie, leaving meant a quieter but independent career path.

What illness does Will I Am have?

Public statements about health

• Will.i.am has not publicly confirmed any specific illness beyond his vision condition (Wikipedia).
• Rumors about a serious illness stem from his small stature and occasionally slurred speech, but he has denied being sick.

He addressed these misconceptions in a 2017 interview: “I’m healthy, I just have bad eyes.”

Misconceptions about Down syndrome

• A persistent internet rumor claims will.i.am has Down syndrome. This is false.
• His facial features and height have been misinterpreted, but he has never been diagnosed with any chromosomal condition.

Legally blind status explanation

• Will.i.am has been legally blind since childhood due to congenital cataracts (IMDB).
• He uses large screens and speech-to-text tools to work around his limited vision.

“I have been legally blind since I was a kid, I just work around it.” – will.i.am to IMDB

The pattern: the confusion around his health affects how the public perceives his tech and TV work. Knowing his actual condition – legally blind, not seriously ill – clarifies why he uses certain assistive technologies.

Timeline signal

• 1975 – Born in Los Angeles, California (Wikipedia)
• 1995 – Co-founded the Black Eyed Peas (Wikipedia)
• 2009 – First season as coach on The Voice UK (Wikipedia)
• 2013 – Underwent cataract surgery to improve vision (reported by multiple outlets)
• 2017 – Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas (REVOLT)
• 2023 – Continues as Voice UK coach, active in tech (Wikipedia)

Clarity section

Quotes section

“I don’t have a house, I live in hotels. I like it.” – will.i.am to People

“We are supporting her solo journey.” – Black Eyed Peas statement, as reported by REVOLT

“I have been legally blind since I was a kid, I just work around it.” – will.i.am to IMDB

For the music industry and fans alike, the takeaway is clear: will.i.am has shifted from global pop star to a multi-hyphenate brand that values mobility and technology over the traditional star lifestyle. His choice to live in hotels and his focus on AI might not make sense to everyone, but for a man who has already sold 31 million albums and won seven Grammys, the next act is about staying flexible.

Related reading: **Simon Cowell**

For a deeper look into his financial journey and the story behind his moniker, read about will.i.ams net worth and stage name.

Frequently asked questions