After The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that the beloved host quietly stepped away from the NBC singing competition following an unprecedented 30-season run, a familiar Hollywood favorite will be ushering the show into its next era.
Actress, singer, and producer Keke Palmer has been tapped to host Season 31 of The Voice, multiple production sources told The U.S. Sun in mid July.
“There were a few big names in the running to host Season 31,” one insider told The U.S. Sun.
“Kelly Clarkson was discussed after her schedule opened up more with the departure of her daytime show.
“She’s already beloved by the fanbase, but Keke Palmer was also in discussions to take over the season.”
The insider went on to explain: ”Ultimately things didn’t work out with Kelly and Keke got the gig.
“Keke has blown producers away with her charisma and talent. She gets along great with both the coaches and the contestants.
“She is a total natural and has killed it so far, so if she wants a bigger role in the future, the door will remain open.”
While Keke, 32, is stepping in as host for Season 31, Kelly, 44, remains a central part of The Voice family, serving as one of the coaches on Season 30.
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NBC has not yet announced the coaching lineup for Season 31.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to NBC for comment.
Keke has been a fixture in Hollywood for nearly two decades after breaking out as a child actor with the starring role of the critically acclaimed 2006 film, Akeelah and the Bee.
She went on to headline the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP, becoming one of the network’s biggest young stars, before successfully transitioning into a TV and film career.
In the years since, she has scored standout roles in Scream Queens, Hustlers, Jordan Peele‘s Oscar-winning Nope and most recently, the 2025 comedy One of Them Days.
Along the way, she’s also released music, voiced animated films, hosted her own daytime talk show and won an Emmy Award for hosting NBC’s Password.
The hosting shake-up comes after The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that Carson, 53, decided to step away from the series after 15 years and a whopping 30 seasons.
The television veteran has been the only host The Voice has ever known since the NBC competition premiered in 2011, guiding viewers through every Blind Audition, live finale, and everything in between.
While an ever-changing lineup of superstar coaches rotated in and out every season, Carson remained the one constant each year.
Carson’s demanding schedule between filming The Today Show in New York and The Voice in Los Angeles, combined with his desire to spend more time with his family, led to the difficult decision to walk away from hosting Season 31, a source previously claimed.
Despite exiting the hosting role, Carson isn’t severing ties with the franchise completely.
He will remain an executive producer on the series, leaving room for a potential return in the future if the timing is right.
Carson will return as The Voice host when Season 30 premieres on Monday, September 21st.
Joining the host will be Kelly, who is returning alongside good buddy Adam Levine as the season’s veteran coaches.
The American Idol alum and Maroon 5 frontman will be joined by The Voice newcomers, Queen Latifah and Riley Green.
