‘The Voice’ Season 29 Scrambles to Find a Fill-In For Kelly Clarkson Amid Brandon Blackstock Tragedy [Report]

“The Voice” is facing a major shake-up as Kelly Clarkson takes time away to grieve the loss of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. The shocking tragedy has already impacted production for both season 28 and season 29, with Clarkson and fellow coach Reba McEntire—Brandon’s stepmother—missing key tapings.

Blackstock, 48, died on August 7 following a three-year battle with melanoma cancer. His death has left Clarkson, 43, focused on her children, and producers scrambling to find a replacement during her absence.

Kelly Clarkson Steps Away From ‘The Voice’

Production sources told The U.S. Sun that Clarkson will not appear at upcoming season 29 tapings scheduled for later this month. “Kelly will not be at the tapings scheduled next week for Thursday and Friday. Production is working on a replacement coach for her now,” an insider revealed.

Among the names being considered are Kelsea Ballerini and Miley Cyrus. Country star Ballerini, 31, has already stepped in for Clarkson once before during season 20 when Clarkson was ill, and she most recently served as a coach in season 27. Cyrus, 32, also has a strong history with the show, previously working as a Key Advisor in season 10 and serving as a full-time coach in seasons 11 and 13.

For producers, Clarkson’s absence is both professional and deeply personal. “Kelly, especially, though needs a lot of time to heal,” the source added. “They understand that. Not to mention her kids are starting their new school year. It’s terrible timing but is there ever good timing for such a tragedy?”

The insider emphasized that Clarkson and McEntire are “family” to the show’s crew and production team. “Whatever they want, the show will give them. They don’t owe the show anything right now. But they are being incredibly professional throughout this. As much as one can be during a time like this.”

Reba McEntire Faces Her ‘Biggest Heartbreak’

McEntire, 70, is also stepping back. As a current coach and longtime mentor on “The Voice,” her absence has left producers equally supportive and understanding.

“The team [at “The Voice”] has known Reba for years. She was an advisor to Blake Shelton all the way back in season 1 and has been involved a lot of seasons since,” the source explained. “She is just as much family as you can get here. This has been, from the limited info they’ve gotten from her, the biggest heartbreak of her life.”

The insider revealed McEntire considered Brandon her own son: “She considered Brandon her son, not a stepson but her son. She would brag about him like her son, he’d visit her on set, and they very much had that mother-son bond.”

It remains unclear when McEntire will return to filming. She was scheduled to attend knockout rounds at the end of August, but her participation in the live shows later this year is still undecided. “The show will support her, and Kelly, any way that they can,” the insider said.

“The Voice” season 28 premieres September 2025 on NBC, with season 29 expected to follow in spring 2026.