Overview

• Her return follows a March leave that prompted guest hosts including Andy Cohen, Wanda Sykes and Brooke Shields to fill in during her absence.
• Sources report that Brandon Blackstock fell ill in April, prompting Clarkson to take their children to visit him and easing tensions in their co-parenting relationship.
• She has founded the High Road Records label and is collaborating with stylist Micaela Erlanger ahead of her Las Vegas residency starting July 4.
• Industry insiders say her recent personal struggles have clarified her priorities, leading her to plan an exit from her NBC talk show when her contract expires in 2026.
• Clarkson has publicly admitted to mishandling her divorce and credits recent challenges with giving her renewed clarity on balancing career ambitions with parenting.