Kelly Clarkson Revealed Comeback Plans after Her Ex-Husband Passed Away

Kelly Clarkson is once again at the center of attention as she gears up for a powerful return to television. After stepping away for a short but emotional break, the beloved singer is back in her coach’s chair on The Voice — and fans couldn’t be happier.

Kelly temporarily paused filming after the heartbreaking loss of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. The moment was heavy, but she is now returning with renewed energy and determination.

The American Idol icon will appear as a coach in the 29th season of The Voice, set to air in Spring 2026. Even though the season won’t premiere until next year, filming is already underway with auditions, battles, and knockout rounds.

During her brief absence, another powerhouse voice stepped in: Jennifer Hudson. The Oscar-winning singer filled Kelly’s seat for one taping, guiding her team through the battle round rehearsals with her signature fire.

But make no mistake — Kelly is here to stay for the rest of the season. She’s committed to all upcoming tapings and ready to give it her all.

On top of her return to The Voice, fans can also look forward to seeing her in Songs & Stories, her intimate NBC music special filmed earlier this year. And that’s not all — she’s also preparing for the next season of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Aug. 6, she explained that her kids’ father and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has been unwell. Clarkson and Blackstock divorced in March 2022. They have two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, who were born in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Clarkson lives with her children in New York City and hosts her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The singer has referenced her divorce in her music, particularly in her 2023 songs “Mine” and “Me.” She also revised the lyrics of GAYLE and Olivia Rodrigo’s song “abcdefu” during a performance on her talk show.

She sang, “Forget you and your dad / And the fact you got half and my broken heart / Turned that (expletive) into art,” which appeared to allude to her divorce settlement. The settlement included a one-time payment of over $1 million and additional monthly spousal and child support payments.

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in June 2023, the Grammy winner described the split as “freeing.”

“It’s incredibly sad, and it’s a dark place — fetal position on the floor crying — and there’s so much loss with that, and I never experienced grief like that,” she shared. “We got to let each other go. This is not working. This is not going to pan out, and it’s not working for either of us.”

Kelly’s comeback is more than just a return to work — it’s a message of strength, resilience, and the unstoppable spirit that made people fall in love with her in the first place.