Just half an hour ago, NBC announced that Grammy-winning artist Kelly Clarkson will officially join The Voice as a full-time coach for its upcoming 25th season. The news broke during a live press event in New York, where Clarkson appeared alongside current judges John Legend and Chance the Rapper, grinning as she confirmed the rumors that had swirled for weeks. Clarkson, who previously served as a coach on The Voice from 2018 to 2023 before stepping away to focus on The Kelly Clarkson Show, expressed her excitement about returning to the iconic red chairs. “This show changed my life in so many ways, and I can’t wait to help discover the next generation of talent,” she told the crowd.

Clarkson’s return marks a major shakeup for the long-running singing competition, which has seen rotating judges in recent seasons. Her signature blend of humor, raw talent, and unfiltered feedback made her a fan favorite during her initial stint, and producers are betting that her star power will reinvigorate ratings. NBC’s reality TV chief, Jenny Garth, called Clarkson “the heart and soul of The Voice” and hinted at a potential “mega-mentor” role for her talk show co-stars, possibly including surprise appearances from past contestants. The new season is set to begin filming this fall, with Clarkson joining a panel that also includes Reba McEntire and a yet-to-be-announced fourth coach.

Reactions to the news have been swift, with fans flooding social media with celebratory posts and clips of Clarkson’s most memorable Voice moments—from her playful rivalries with Blake Shelton to her emotional standing ovations for underdog artists. Fellow coaches past and present, including Shelton and Ariana Grande, quickly tweeted their congratulations, with Shelton joking, “Great, now I have to hear her yell ‘I’m your coach!’ from my couch again.” Meanwhile, Clarkson’s daytime talk show audience is already speculating whether her Voice duties will lead to crossovers, like live performances or behind-the-scenes episodes.

Beyond The Voice, Clarkson’s career continues to soar. Her Emmy-winning talk show remains a ratings hit, her recent Las Vegas residency sold out in minutes, and she’s rumored to be working on new music. Her return to The Voice solidifies her status as one of the most versatile forces in entertainment—able to pivot from heartfelt ballads to witty banter without missing a beat. As one fan tweeted, “Kelly could host, judge, and WIN this show all at once.” With her back in the mix, Season 25 is shaping up to be must-see TV.