The Voice 29: Jennifer Hudson Steps In for Kelly Clarkson as She Spends Time with Her Children Following the Death of Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock
Following the tragic death of Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, the father of her children River and Remy, Clarkson briefly stepped away from taping for The Voice season 29 to be with her family. In her absence, fellow American Idol alum and former The Voice coach Jennifer Hudson filled in for a rehearsal during the show’s Battle Round preparations.
Sources indicate that Clarkson’s break was short and limited to a rehearsal session for the Battle Rounds. She is expected to return for the live performances and the public-facing segments recorded in front of the studio audience. Hudson, who also hosts a daytime talk show and who rose to fame as a contestant on American Idol, has previous experience coaching on The Voice, making her a natural temporary stand-in for Clarkson during this sensitive time.
NBC is currently producing multiple cycles of The Voice at the same time, including season 28 and the upcoming season 29. This season’s format includes a special spinoff called “Battle of Champions” and features a coaching panel of high-profile artists. Coaches on the project include Adam Levine, John Legend, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg, among others. The series will air on NBC and will stream on Peacock in Spring 2026.
There was public speculation that Reba McEntire, who was connected to Brandon Blackstock as his stepmother, might also take time away from filming. However, insiders report that McEntire has continued attending tapings and has not missed scheduled work. Production sources emphasize that NBC’s simultaneous shooting schedule allows the network to maintain continuity even when coaches take brief personal leaves.
Reba McEntire Will Not Skip Any Filming After Stepson Brandon Blackstock’s Death
With multiple seasons being filmed concurrently, the production team has been able to adapt to brief absences while keeping the schedule on track. The presence of experienced coaches and temporary substitutes like Jennifer Hudson helps preserve the show’s momentum and ensures fans will still see the high-quality performances and coaching segments they expect.
Outside of her commitments to The Voice, Kelly Clarkson is preparing to return to daytime television. She is slated to begin production on season 7 of The Kelly Clarkson Show in New York City in early September. In addition, NBC will air four pre-taped episodes of her summer special, Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson, starting Tuesday, August 19 at 10 p.m. following America’s Got Talent. The interview-style special includes conversations with notable artists and performers such as Gloria Estefan, the Jonas Brothers, Lizzo and Teddy Swims.
For fans planning to attend tapings, tickets for The Voice and The Kelly Clarkson Show are generally made available through official ticketing platforms and the respective show’s audience services. If you plan to attend a Battle Round or other taping, check each show’s official ticket listings and audience guidelines well in advance, as availability can change quickly and seating is limited.
This moment has brought an outpouring of support for Kelly Clarkson and her family from colleagues and fans alike. While the entertainment community mourns, the shows involved have balanced compassion with the practical needs of live and pre-taped production. Viewers can expect to see the remainder of The Voice season 29 proceed with both sensitivity and professionalism as coaches and producers continue to deliver the performances and storytelling that define the series.