Kelly Clarkson says The Voice Season 23 was “me saying bye” to the show
Unbeknownst to fans, not only was The Voice season 23 last spring veteran coach Blake Shelton’s swan song, but it was likely Kelly Clarkson’s last season as well.
In an interview with USA Today, Kelly shares that the move to New York City to tape her talk show at 30 Rock, means the end of her run as a coach on The Voice. The NBC singing show tapes its episodes at Universal City in Los Angeles, where The Kelly Clarkson Show used to film. Running back and forth between sets was a short trip. But now, with Kelly and her young family living across the country, she realizes her limits.
Admitting that the last four seasons of The Kelly Clarkson Show were not easy for her, she says “full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life,” She continued. “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. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’
“I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed”
“What’s cool for me with Season 5 is I am in such a great place, not only with my kids, but with me personally and with the show,” Kelly said. “I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed. I think the thing I’m most excited about with Season 5, on a selfish level, is just showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it. That’s a beautiful gift that you don’t realize until you’re out of it.”
The Voice Season 24 is currently airing on NBC with Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Reba McEntire. Season 25, which has also almost completed filming, will air spring 2024. Reba and John return alongside season 22 coach Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay occupying the first single chair as a coaching duo.
Kelly’s history with The Voice began in Season 2 when she served as a Battle Advisor to Blake Shelton. She returned in Season 13 to be a key advisor to all the coaches. Kelly joined the show as a coach on season 14 and kept her seat through season 21. She returned last spring for season 23.
Could Kelly return to American Idol?
Of course, never say never, right? Kelly could take a few years off and when her kids are older, and she has a project to promote, maybe she’ll return. Or she could come back as an advisor. But it looks like for now, she’s finished.
Interestingly, ending her association with The Voice opens up the possibility she could return to American Idol, the show that launched the OG winner into stardom. She’s more likely to perform as a guest on The Voice. But what if American Idol holds auditions in New York City? Kelly could easily drop by the set to visit and encourage the hopefuls, as winners have done before her. Now that she is no longer involved with a rival competition, why not?
The Kelly Clarkson Show’s new season premiered on Monday, October 16.
