"The Voice" Season 24 is in full swing, and while fans of the competition series are undoubtedly heartbroken about the departure of Blake Shelton, the addition of country queen Reba McEntire on the panel is already making things interesting. But there's still a familiar face that fans are missing. Kelly Clarkson — pop icon, American Idol winner and daytime talk show host — has a storied history on the musical competition series and a penchant for choosing great performers. This season, however, she isn't in one of those big red swiveling chairs.
The "Since U Been Gone" vocalist first joined the series in Season 14 and remained on the show through Season 21. After a one-season break, she returned for Season 23. But now she's gone again. So why isn't Clarkson appearing on "The Voice" Season 24? We've got all the answers you need and more about Clarkson's departure from "The Voice".
Why isn't Kelly Clarkson on 'The Voice' Season 24?
While Clarkson hasn't given a reason as to why she didn't return to "The Voice" for Season 24, she was open about the reasons behind her previous hiatus.
It turns out the "Breakaway" singer just needed something of a break, both for herself and for some quality family time. Clarkson opened up to Entertainment Tonight about her decision.
"I texted the other coaches and the executive producer and everyone and I was like, 'I'm really sorry, you know, I gotta take a minute.' And everybody understood it," Clarkson said. "They've been on this ride with me behind the scenes and they get it. Some have gone through similar situations."
The beloved coach began dropping hints ahead of her confirmation in May 2022 that Season 21 would be her last appearance on "The Voice" for the time being. During an Instagram Live Q&A session, she expressed a desire to spend more time with her two children, River and Remington, following her divorce from their father, Brandon Blackstock.
"It was really important I think to show my kids that, yes, mommy loves work and I love to do what I do," Clarkson said. "But family is first. So when we need a moment to step back and we need to be together, that's when you take the time when it is necessary. We need to take those moments. And that's what it was for me. But it's bittersweet for me because I love doing it. It's so fun."
Clarkson is, of course, also an incredibly busy woman. Her hit talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, is moving from Los Angeles to New York. Clarkson told Today that the move means she'll be closer to her family.
"It also was pointed out, especially getting divorced, it was just me and my kids all the way on that coast," she said. "All of my family lives on this coast. It just got lonely."
"The Voice" is filmed at Universal Studios in California, which also could've played a role in Clarkson's decision not to return for Season 24.
After a one-season break, Clarkson returned to the series for Season 23, her final season with Shelton, who announced that he'd be "stepping away" from the show after Season 23. Though she's joked that Shelton's departure is a "gain for humanity," Clarkson's sad to see the last original Voice coach standing leave the series.
"I actually have been talking to Blake a bit about this being his last season. And I'm like, 'It's not gonna hit you until afterwards. It's gonna hit you. It's been a part of your life for so long. And it's gonna hit you after,'" Clarkson told NBC Insider. "I think he knows that, but I also think he knows that it's time. He's been doing it a long time, and I think it's a really cool way that we all know he's leaving so we get the time to, like — I mean, I can't stand him, but I also love him. So we get the time to actually, like, lift him up and say how great he is. He is the ultimate coach on this show. Everybody knows that. He's won the most, and he, honest to God, helps the artists afterwards. And it's an incredible thing that he's done for so many artists. It's a loss for 'The Voice'."
Who Replaced Kelly Clarkson on 'The Voice'?
Former battle adviser and pop megastar Camila Cabello tagged in for Clarkson in Season 22 as a newly appointed coach. But this was hardly Cabello's first rodeo with "The Voice." Speaking to NBC Insider, Cabello initially auditioned for "The Voice" ahead of her appearance on The X Factor, another talent competition series. Though she ended up going for The X Factor because of her love for Harry Styles and One Direction, she clearly made her mark on "The Voice."
The coaches panel for Season 24 is made up of familiar faces: John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Clarkson's longtime friend Reba McEntire, and Niall Horan, who's returning after winning his first season with contestant Gina Miles.
Will Kelly Clarkson Return to 'The Voice'?
It seems unlikely. Clarkson recently admitted that after moving to NYC to be closer to family (moving her entire talk show with her), she has no plans to resume "The Voice."
"I've learned a lot about what I'm capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying 'bye' to 'The Voice' and having this big move," Kelly told USA Today. "I love that family, but I was like, 'I'm struggling. I can't smile anymore. I don't feel like smiling.'"
