Behind the Scenes: The Unseen Family Dynamics of 'The Voice' Season That Never Was
Kelly Clarkson was once considered to star in a family-themed season of "The Voice" alongside Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani. The idea was proposed in 2019 when Clarkson was still married to Brandon Blackstock, who is the son of McEntire's ex-husband. However, the plan was abandoned the following year as Clarkson's marriage fell apart, making the dynamics between the stars too complicated. The potential season would have highlighted the family connections between the coaches, with Kelly being Reba's daughter-in-law and sharing the same manager as Blake at the time.
The insider revealed that Kelly and Blake had a close friendship during that period, and Gwen and Blake's relationship added another family element to the mix. Despite the genuine connections between the four stars, the plan for the family-themed season was ultimately scrapped due to the messy dynamics arising from Clarkson's divorce. The insider mentioned that it could have been an entertaining season if it had come to fruition.
Reba McEntire, who was married to Narvel from 1989 to 2015, maintained a strong bond with Brandon and his brother Shelby even after her divorce. Clarkson also had a close relationship with McEntire, often collaborating and supporting each other's projects. Blake Shelton has been a mainstay on "The Voice" since its inception in 2011, with Gwen Stefani joining in 2014 and Clarkson in 2018. McEntire became a full-time coach in season 24 after previously serving as Shelton's battle advisor.
Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce proceedings were contentious, involving disputes over custody, property, and finances. The divorce was finalized in March 2022, with Clarkson ordered to pay her ex-husband a significant sum in a lump sum, monthly child support, and spousal support. Despite their challenging divorce, Clarkson privately supported Brandon during his battle with melanoma cancer in his final months.
On August 6, Clarkson canceled the remaining dates of her Las Vegas residency due to Brandon's serious illness. The next day, it was announced that Brandon had passed away at the age of 48. Clarkson has not publicly commented on his death at this time.