Just half an hour ago, NBC officially announced that Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson will return to The Voice as a full-time coach for its upcoming 25th season. The news was revealed during a live press event in New York, where Clarkson appeared alongside current judges John Legend and Chance the Rapper. Smiling, she confirmed the rumors that had been swirling for weeks. Clarkson, who served as a coach on The Voice from 2018 until 2023 before stepping away to focus on The Kelly Clarkson Show, expressed her excitement about returning to the show’s iconic red chairs. “This program changed my life in so many ways, and I can’t wait to help discover the next generation of talent,” she told the crowd.
Clarkson’s comeback marks a major turning point for the long-running singing competition, which in recent years has seen a frequent rotation of judges. Her natural humor, powerhouse vocals, and unfiltered feedback made her a fan favorite during her first run, and producers are counting on her presence to boost ratings again. NBC’s head of reality programming, Jenny Garth, described Clarkson as “the heart and soul of The Voice” and hinted that her talk show co-stars might join in a special “mega-mentor” role, possibly alongside surprise appearances from former contestants. The new season is set to begin filming this fall, with Clarkson joining Reba McEntire and a yet-to-be-announced fourth coach on the panel.
Reactions across social media were immediate. Fans flooded platforms with celebratory posts and shared some of Clarkson’s most iconic Voice moments—from her playful rivalries with Blake Shelton to the emotional standing ovations she gave to underdog contestants. Fellow coaches past and present, including Shelton and Ariana Grande, also congratulated her. Shelton even joked: “Great, now I’ll have to hear her yelling ‘I’m your coach!’ from my couch again.” Meanwhile, viewers of The Kelly Clarkson Show are already speculating about possible crossovers, such as live performances or behind-the-scenes features.
Beyond The Voice, Clarkson’s career is thriving. Her Emmy-winning talk show continues to dominate ratings, her Las Vegas residency sold out within minutes, and she’s rumored to be working on new music. Her return to The Voice reinforces her position as one of the most versatile stars in entertainment—an artist who can move seamlessly from heartfelt ballads to witty banter. As one fan tweeted: “Kelly could host, judge, and WIN this show all at once.” With her back on board, Season 25 is shaping up to be must-see
