Why did Kelly Clarkson leave The Voice to be replaced by Camila Cabello?
The singer-songwriter had been a permanent fixture on the popular talent show but revealed earlier this year that she wanted to spend more time with family.
When details of The Voice 2022 were first released earlier this year many fans were shocked to learn that long-time coach Kelly Clarkson would not be taking her place in the hot seat.
The singer, songwriter and television personality had appeared on the show since its 14th season, released in 2014, right up to last year’s 21st season. But after four years the former American Idol winner announced that she would be stepping away from the show in 2022 to spend more time with family.
“I’ve decided this year there’s just (going to) be a couple of changes for me that I can’t say here,” she said earlier this year on an Instagram Q&A session. “I’ve been able to make more time just for me and my kiddos and still be able to work. Just where we can get away on weekends and really do some fun stuff with my kids.
“They only want to hang out with you for so long and that’s now, so I got to take advantage of that,” she added.
Clarkson to embark on new projects after divorce
The singer turned 40 in April and spent the summer with her daughter River and son Remington at her Montana ranch. In an interview with Variety when described it as her first summer away from work since she was 16.
Earlier this year she divorced from music manager Brandon Blackstock and Clarkson told Variety that she had felt that the time was right for her to have a break after a disorientating few years.
“Especially when all the feelings are happening, I’m like, ‘Oh, let’s be as busy a bee as we can, so I don’t have to feel this for a minute!’” she told Variety. “I do that, which is not healthy. I was like, ‘I just need to keep swimming like Dory, and then I’ll get there.’”
“That’s why taking this summer was so important to me, even though a lot of people were kind of bummed because I was supposed to do a couple of things. Obviously, I stepped down on ‘The Voice’ this season, because I just needed the space.”
However the summer break was far from unproductive and, as well as spending time with her family, Clarkson has begun thinking about her upcoming album. She has not released a studio album in five years but her next offering is expected to land in 2023.