Through grief and grace Kelly Clarkson returns to ‘The Voice’ as filming resumes for season 29

20 August 2025

Almost two weeks after the heartbreaking passing of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson is stepping back into the studio with renewed strength and purpose. The “Stronger” singer felt homesick for the sound of music and the rhythms of her calling. Her absence during The Voice’s early season 29 rehearsals had stirred concern, but now she’s back behind the red chair where she began her journey into television acclaim. In her place, fellow American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson had filled in during Clarkson’s time away. The return is professional but profoundly personal.

Production continues in full swing for both season 28 and season 29 two cycles filmed concurrently for the first time. Season 28, set to premiere this fall, features returning judges Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg. Meanwhile Clarkson joins Adam Levine and John Legend for the upcoming season, titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, slated for spring 2026 with a revamped format and exciting competitive enhancements. CeeLo Green will also return, this time handling the All-Star Competition among previous contestants.

Clarkson's decision to return to work comes amid a particularly tender chapter of her life. On August 7, her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, passed away after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Their shared commitment to their children River, 11, and Remington, 9 has informed every step of her comeback. While their romantic bond ended in 2022, Clarkson continues to value his role in their children's lives.

Her grief has not gone unnoticed. Industry insiders reveal that both Clarkson and Reba McEntire her former mother-in-law and fellow Voice coach were granted space to mourn. McEntire continues to film despite her personal loss as well. The show’s production team has prioritized their emotional wellbeing, emphasizing compassion in place of calendars.

Clarkson’s return is not just a professional one. Her presence brings a touch of grounding back to the show. Earlier in the week, she appeared in an episode of Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson, taped prior to Blackstock's passing.

Airing on August 19, the show features heartfelt conversations with the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, Gloria Estefan, and Teddy Swims reminding viewers that music shields and connects us, even in fragile times. And with her daytime talk show also set to return this fall, the singer is walking a careful path between public performance and private healing.

In parallel with work, Clarkson has also been making quiet statements of transformation. A striking new choppy, wavy bob and a bold red lip paired with menswear-inspired style marks her public return. The look is sharp, confident, yet tempered with the softness of grief’s tender shape. It signals that though she has changed, her presence remains powerfully undimmed.

Her return to The Voice is far from mere duty. It represents one woman’s endeavour to reclaim herself, step by step, through the rhythms she knows best. For Clarkson, the red chair is not just a seat; it is a symbol of resilience, grace, and her enduring devotion to family and to music. It is a story of moving forward her voice, once again, leading.