On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET, The Voice Season 27 finale will light up screens across the nation, and among the star-studded lineup of performers is none other than Kelly Clarkson. The pop icon and former Voice coach is set to perform her new single, “Where Have You Been,” marking a triumphant return to the stage where she once mentored aspiring artists to victory. Clarkson’s appearance has sparked excitement among fans, who have been eagerly awaiting her return to the NBC singing competition since she stepped away as a coach after Season 23 in 2023. As one of the most successful alumni of televised talent shows, Clarkson’s performance is poised to be a highlight of the finale, celebrating not only her musical legacy but also the enduring impact of The Voice as a platform for discovering talent.
A Homecoming for a Pop Powerhouse
Kelly Clarkson’s relationship with The Voice is a storied one. The Texas-born singer first rose to fame as the inaugural winner of American Idol in 2002, a victory that launched a multi-decade career with over 25 million albums and 45 million singles sold worldwide. Her powerful soprano voice and versatile performances have earned her accolades from publications like Rolling Stone, which ranked her among the 200 Best Singers of All Time in 2023, and Billboard, which listed her as the 11th biggest female artist of the 21st century in 2025. Clarkson joined The Voice as a coach in Season 14 (2018) and quickly became a fan favorite, known for her genuine connection with contestants and her ability to spot raw talent. Over her nine seasons on the show, she coached four champions—Brynn Cartelli (Season 14), Chevel Shepherd (Season 15), Jake Hoot (Season 17), and Girl Named Tom (Season 21)—making her one of the most successful coaches in the show’s history.
Clarkson’s departure from The Voice after Season 23 came as part of a larger life transition. In 2023, she relocated from Los Angeles to New York City, moving her Emmy-winning daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The move was driven by personal reasons, including her desire to be closer to her family on the East Coast following her high-profile divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2022. “I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in L.A.,” Clarkson told USA Today in October 2023. “It just got lonely.” The logistics of filming The Voice in Los Angeles while based in New York made it challenging for her to continue as a coach, and she openly admitted to struggling during her final seasons. “I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling,’” she shared, reflecting on the emotional toll of balancing her career and personal life.
Despite stepping away as a coach, Clarkson has remained part of the Voice family. She returned for the Season 26 finale in December 2024, performing her holiday single “You for Christmas,” a moment that reminded fans of her enduring connection to the show. Her announcement of performing “Where Have You Been” on the Season 27 finale, shared via a post on X on May 20, 2025, sent fans into a frenzy. “I’m performing ‘Where Have You Been’ on the Voice Tuesday!” she wrote, linking to a promotional clip. The excitement was palpable, with one fan on X exclaiming, “OMGGGGG FINALLYYYYYY,” and another playfully asking, “Where have you been, Kelly? 😉” The performance marks a significant moment for Clarkson, who launched her own record label in January 2025 and released “Where Have You Been” on May 2, after premiering it on her SiriusXM channel the day prior.
The Significance of “Where Have You Been”
“Where Have You Been,” Clarkson’s latest single, is a testament to her vocal prowess and emotional depth. The song, which debuted just weeks before the Voice finale, has already garnered critical acclaim for its heartfelt lyrics and powerful delivery. While specific details about the song’s themes are not widely available, Clarkson teased its creation on The Kelly Clarkson Show, sharing exclusive voice memos with guitarist Jaco Caraco during an episode on May 16, 2025. The track is part of a new chapter for Clarkson, who, for the first time in her career, is releasing music independently through her own label. This move signifies her desire for creative control, a theme that has defined her journey since her American Idol days when she fought to carve out her own artistic identity beyond the show’s pop mold.
Performing “Where Have You Been” on The Voice is a fitting choice for Clarkson. The show has always been a platform for raw, emotional performances, and Clarkson’s return to the stage where she mentored so many artists adds a layer of poignancy to the moment. Her history with The Voice includes iconic performances like her duet with Jason Farol on the 2012 ABC show Duets and her coaching of Girl Named Tom, the first group to win the competition. Fans are eager to see how Clarkson will bring her signature energy to the finale, especially given her reputation for delivering live vocals that leave audiences in awe. As one fan wrote on X, “Kelly! Yay!!!,” capturing the collective anticipation for her performance.
A Star-Studded Finale with Familiar Faces
Clarkson’s performance is just one highlight of a jam-packed Voice Season 27 finale. Airing live on May 20 from 9 to 11 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, the two-hour event will feature the top five finalists vying for the title, alongside performances from current coaches Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, John Legend, and Adam Levine. The finale also marks a homecoming for several former coaches, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Blake Shelton, who coached for 23 seasons before departing in 2023, will perform his hit single “Texas” from his 2025 album For Recreational Use Only. Shelton’s return is his first since leaving the show, and fans are thrilled to see the “cowboy” back on the Voice stage, especially given his history with Clarkson as a playful rival. “I can’t stand him, but I also love him,” Clarkson told NBC Insider in 2023, reflecting on Shelton’s exit.
Other performers include Alicia Keys, who will join Amanda Reid from Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen for a mashup of “The River” and “Empire State of Mind,” and Chance the Rapper, who will sing “Space and Time” from his project Star Line. The lineup also features Foreigner with a medley of their greatest hits, James Bay and Sheryl Crow debuting “You and Me Time,” Joe Jonas with his new single “Heart to Heart,” and Season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood performing “God Made” from his debut album. The diverse array of artists underscores The Voice’s ability to bridge genres, from country to pop to R&B, a legacy that Clarkson herself has contributed to with her genre-spanning career—she’s the first artist to top Billboard’s pop, adult contemporary, country, and dance charts.
Fan Reactions and the Legacy of The Voice
The announcement of Clarkson’s performance has reignited fans’ love for her connection to The Voice. Her nine seasons as a coach were marked by her warmth, humor, and genuine investment in her contestants. “Kelly Clarkson is my favorite coach of all time! She is a beautiful person inside and out,” one fan wrote on TVLine in 2023, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Clarkson’s ability to connect with contestants was evident in her mentorship of talents like Girl Named Tom, whose Season 21 win was a milestone for the show. Her return as a performer, rather than a coach, has left some fans bittersweet, as they had hoped to see her back in the red chair. “We’d be lying if we didn’t admit to being disappointed that their returns are coming simply as performers rather than as coaches,” a post on GeekSided noted on May 13, 2025.
Yet, Clarkson’s performance is a reminder of her lasting impact on the show. The Voice has been a launching pad for artists like Jordan Smith and Morgan Wallen, but its cultural significance also lies in its ability to bring established stars like Clarkson back to celebrate new talent. The Season 27 finale, with its mix of returning coaches and fresh faces, embodies this spirit. For Clarkson, the event is a chance to showcase her new music while honoring the platform that allowed her to mentor others, much like she was mentored on American Idol over two decades ago.
Looking Ahead: Clarkson’s Bright Future
As Clarkson takes the stage on May 20, she does so at a high point in her career. The Kelly Clarkson Show, now in its fifth season, has won three consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host, and her Las Vegas residency, Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, is set to begin in July 2025. Her new single, “Where Have You Been,” is already generating buzz, with fans praising her vocal delivery and emotional authenticity. “Kelly is hands down one of the best live performers of this time,” a fan wrote on Ticketmaster, reflecting on her recent Atlantic City shows in May 2025.
For Voice viewers, Clarkson’s performance will be a moment of nostalgia and celebration, a chance to see a beloved figure return to the stage that helped solidify her status as a mentor and artist. As the top five finalists await their fate, determined by audience votes on May 20, Clarkson’s presence will serve as a reminder of the show’s power to create stars—both on and off the stage. Whether she’s belting out “Where Have You Been” or sharing a laugh with host Carson Daly, Kelly Clarkson’s return to The Voice is a testament to her enduring legacy, one that continues to inspire millions with every note she sings.
