Kelly Clarkson will be returning to The Voice as a coach this week, following the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
The Because Of You hitmaker, 43, will reunite with her fellow coaches Adam Levine and John Legend according to TMZ. The show is also producing two seasons simultaneously.
The singer had skipped one taping for Season 29 of NBC’s ‘Battle of the Champions’ earlier this month, right after the tragic death of her ex.
At the time, Jennifer Hudson stepped in to help during the rehearsals for battle rounds.
Season 28 also has a star-studded lineup, with Michael Bublé, Niall Horan, Snoop Dogg, and Reba McEntire all returning when the show premiers this fall.
Reba’s role was initially uncertain as Blackstock was her stepson, but sources have confirmed to Deadline that she is filming as planned and honoring all of her commitments.
Kelly Clarkson, 43, will be returning to The Voice as a coach this week, following the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock at 48
Blackstock, who was married to Clarkson from 2013 to 2022 and had two children with her — River, 11, and Remington, nine — died earlier this month aged just 48 after a secret battle with skin cancer.
Kelly has been a coach on The Voice for nine seasons, from 2018 to 2023.
She was a coach for seasons 14 through 21, took a break for season 22, and then returned for season 23.
Clarkson is also set to begin production on the seventh season of her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, in early September.
Earlier this year, it was rumored that Clarkson was considering leaving the show due to her frequent absences.
However, sources told TMZ that these breaks were related to her ex-husband’s illness, and that the entire staff was aware of his condition but kept it quiet to respect the family’s privacy.
Clarkson also stars in a touching special that airs Tuesday night, marking her return to television after Blackstock’s death.
The pre-recorded broadcast is the first installment of a four-part series called Songs & Stories in which she will explore the history behind certain musical numbers.
The singer had skipped one taping for Season 29 of NBC’s ‘Battle of the Champions’ earlier this month, right after her ex died following a secret battle with skin cancer; Seen in 2018
The hitmaker will reunite with her fellow coaches Adam Levine and John Legend as per TMZ. The show is also producing two seasons simultaneously; The trio seen with Blake Shelton
Meanwhile Season 28 also has a star-studded lineup, including Reba McEntire
Her role was initially uncertain as Blackstock was her stepson, but sources have confirmed to Deadline that she is filming as planned; Reba seen with Kelly and Brandon in 2015
Celebrity guests are joining Clarkson, with the Jonas Brothers appearing on the first episode, followed in subsequent weeks by Gloria Estefan, Teddy Swims and Lizzo.
In a clip from the upcoming NBC show, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas will be seen fondly remembering the time they opened for Clarkson on tour in 2005 and then singing their 2006 song Year 3000 in which they give her a tip of the hat.
Nick, 32, also revealed a co-writing credit he has on a song with Clarkson and comedy legend Steve Martin – a story that took even his brothers by surprise.
The Jonas Brothers opened for Clarkson three years after she had catapulted to stardom as the winner of American Idol, before they themselves were famous.
The special comes after Blackstock was honored at a celebration of life hosted by his ‘loving partner’ – who used to be Clarkson’s assistant.
Brittney Marie Jones – who had allegedly cheated on her then-husband with the talent manager – was one of the attendees as Blackstock’s friends and family gathered in Montana to honor him after losing three year battle with cancer.
‘Brandon’s closest friends and family gathered over the weekend for a few days to celebrate his life in the place he loved most. It was very private.
‘His partner, Brittney [Marie Jones], his family and his closest friends spent time at his home sharing memories of Brandon and remembering how much he meant to them,’ a source told UsWeekly on Tuesday.
The signer also stars in a touching four-part series special called Songs & Stories, that airs Tuesday night, with celebrity guests featuring the Jonas Brothers
Clarkson will begin production on the seventh season of her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, in early September; Seen in a still from the show with Jodie Comer
It remains unclear if Clarkson or their kids were in attendance as she was not mentioned in his obituary.
The insider continued by telling the weekly: ‘It was special for everyone to spend time in Montana walking and hiking the roads Brandon loved so much, and to gather at his home to remember him.’
Shane Tarleton was in attendance at the celebration of life as he posted an Instagram Story, which has since expired, featuring a photo of attendees sitting around a firepit.
He captioned it: ‘@brandonblackstock would’ve loved this night so much. So many of his fav people in his backyard around a campfire at sunset.’
UsWeekly also reported that Nashville hairstylist Amanda Craig also posted a photo of herself with her husband smiling.
She captioned it: ‘We understand why you loved it here so much. Celebrating your wonderful life over the weekend was a true gift. We love you BB!’
The obituary, released Tuesday, revealed that Blackstock had been in a relationship with Jones and was quietly building a new life with her in Montana, a fact unknown to many fans.
‘After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live,’ the obituary read. ‘He found a homestead and a love in Butte, Montana.’
It went on: ‘Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.’
In a bombshell revelation, a December 2024 report by the US Sun on Blackstock and Jones’s rodeo business listed Jones as Clarkson’s ‘former assistant.’
It comes after Blackstock’s ‘loving partner’ Brittney Marie Jones – who was Clarkson’s assistant – participated in an intimate celebration of life after his death
Clarkson and Blackstock were married from 2013–2022 and welcomed two children, River, 11, and Remington, nine — he also has two children from a previous marriage; pictured in 2019
The news of Blackstock’s death came hours after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remaining dates on her Las Vegas residency in August due to her ex-husband’s illness.
A representative for the family said in a statement: ‘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.’
