Kelly Clarkson's Absence on The Voice: Seeking a Temporary Replacement Coach
NBC recently announced that filming for Seasons 28 and 29 of The Voice is underway simultaneously. Fans were thrilled to hear that Kelly Clarkson would be returning for Season 29's "Battle of Champions." However, a personal tragedy has affected her availability, leading the NBC singing competition to search for a replacement.
On August 6, Kelly Clarkson announced the cancellation of the remaining dates of her Las Vegas residency for the month due to her ex-husband's illness. The following day, it was revealed that her ex-husband had passed away after a quiet battle with cancer over three years.
Despite their divorce, Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, was the father of their two children. Kelly had previously postponed the start of her Las Vegas residency in July due to vocal issues. Additionally, she missed tapings of her daytime talk show in March, which is now believed to be related to her husband's illness.
While Season 7 of The Kelly Clarkson Show is set to return in September, Kelly Clarkson's participation in Season 29 of The Voice may be delayed as she focuses on supporting her children through this loss. As a result, the show is seeking a temporary replacement coach to fill in for her during tapings.
Potential replacements being considered by the network include Miley Cyrus and Kelsea Ballerini, both of whom have prior experience on The Voice. Fans have also expressed interest in seeing Blake Shelton step in for a few episodes in Kelly Clarkson's absence. However, it is expected that Kelly Clarkson will eventually return to the show.
Despite the temporary setback, Kelly Clarkson is scheduled to resume her Las Vegas residency in November and continue hosting her talk show in September. Season 28 of The Voice is set to premiere on Monday, September 22, 2025, with Season 29 following in the spring of 2026. Share your thoughts on Kelly Clarkson missing episodes in the comments below.