Kelly Clarkson returns to The Voice after Brandon Blackstock’s death

elly Clarkson Returns to The Voice After Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock’s Death: Jennifer Hudson Steps In, New Format Announced for Season 29

Kelly Clarkson is set to make an emotional return to NBC’s hit reality singing competition The Voice, following a brief absence after the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. The Grammy-winning singer, 43, will resume filming for the show’s highly anticipated 29th season this week, Deadline reports.

Clarkson’s absence was felt earlier this month when she missed a Voice shoot in the wake of Blackstock’s passing. In her stead, fellow American Idol alum and talk show host Jennifer Hudson stepped up to temporarily fill Clarkson’s iconic red chair. Hudson’s presence brought comfort and continuity to the show’s fans, many of whom expressed support and sympathy for Clarkson on social media.

Production is currently underway for both season 28 and season 29 of The Voice. Season 28, premiering this fall, will see veteran judges Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg return to guide a fresh group of talented singers. The show’s producers are promising a season filled with emotional performances and fierce competition.

Reba McEntire, herself no stranger to the Blackstock family—she was previously married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock—has continued filming season 28 despite the family’s recent loss. According to Deadline, McEntire has shown remarkable professionalism and grace, supporting her fellow judges and contestants during this difficult time.

NBC has announced that season 29 will bring exciting changes to the format. Titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, the upcoming season will feature new rules, updated competitions, and special advantages for judges. Clarkson will be joined by returning judges Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and singer-songwriter John Legend, both fan favorites with impressive track records on the show.

Adding to the excitement, CeeLo Green—who helped launch The Voice in its very first season—will return to judge the show’s In-Season All-Star Competition. This special segment will see former artists from Clarkson, Levine, and Legend’s teams return to help their coaches secure two coveted spots in the season finale.

Clarkson’s absence from her daytime talk show earlier this year was also due to Blackstock’s illness. The couple, who were married from 2013 until 2022, share two children: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander. Blackstock, a former talent manager, died on August 7 after a three-year battle with cancer.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, a representative for the family said, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Despite her personal loss, Clarkson has remained committed to her career and fans. She returned to television earlier this week in a previously taped Songs & Stories special on NBC, where she interviewed and performed with stars like Gloria Estefan, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, and Teddy Swims. The four-episode program has been praised for its intimate conversations and powerful performances.

Looking ahead, Clarkson is also set to return for the seventh season of The Kelly Clarkson Show next month. Tickets for studio tapings, beginning September 10, are already available on official websites, and anticipation is high for her comeback.

The Voice season 28 premieres Monday, September 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. With Clarkson’s return, Jennifer Hudson’s memorable fill-in, and a revamped format for season 29, fans can expect an unforgettable year of music, emotion, and competition.

Fellow “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson temporarily filled in for Clarkson following her ex-husband’s death.

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at Entertainment Weekly. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and NME.

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Updated on August 20, 2025 2:16 p.m. ET

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Kelly Clarkson is returning to The Voice after taking a brief absence from the reality singing competition following the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.

The “Stronger” singer, 43, is set to resume filming for the show’s forthcoming 29th season this week, Deadline reports. A rep for the show had no comment when reached by Entertainment Weekly.

The outlet noted that Clarkson missed one Voice shoot earlier this month after Blackstock’s death, with fellow American Idol alum and talk show host Jennifer Hudson filling in for her.

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock. Kevin Mazur/Getty

Production is currently underway on both seasons 28 and season 29 of The Voice. Premiering this fall, season 28 will see veteran judges Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg all return to guide a new crop of talented singers.

McEntire, who was previously married to Blackstock’s father Narvel Blackstock, has continued filming season 28 following her former stepson’s death, per Deadline.

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Clarkson is one of three winning judges returning for season 29, alongside Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine and singer-songwriter John Legend.

Titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, NBC has announced that the revamped program will feature an updated format, new rules, and exciting competitions that can earn judges special advantages when it airs in spring 2026.

Tyler Golden/NBC

Kelly Clarkson’s absence from her talk show earlier this year was due to ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s illness

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CeeLo Green, who participated in the show’s very first season, is also set to help judge the show’s In-Season All-Star Competition, which will see Clarkson’s, Levine’s, and Legend’s former artists return to help the judges win two places in the finale.

Blackstock, a former talent manager, died Aug. 7 following battle with cancer. He and Clarkson were married from 2013 until 2022 and share two children together: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a representative for the family told Entertainment Weekly in a statement. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Clarkson returned to television earlier this week in a previously taped Songs & Stories special on NBC. The four-episode program sees Clarkson interview and perform with stars Gloria Estefan, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo, and Teddy Swims.

The three-time Grammy winner is also set to return for the seventh season of The Kelly Clarkson Show next month, with tickets already available on studio websites for tapings beginning Sept. 10.

The Voice season 28 premieres Monday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.