Before Adam David learned he won season 27 of The Voice, the show kicked off the season finale with an impressive lineup of singers. Throughout the night, singers like Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper, and numerous others took the stage. But when Foreigner stood under the spotlight, the moment was different for singer Kelly Hansen. Joining Foreigner back in 2005, the singer decided to break the news that he was leaving the band after 20 years.
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During the performance, Hansen and the rest of Foreigner entertained the crowd with a selection of their hit songs like “Feels Like The First Time”, “Juke Box Hero”, and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” But as Hansen shared the stage with Luis Maldonado, he revealed, “After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner. At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.”
For Maldonado, he joined Foreigner just a few years ago in 2021 as a guitarist. Over the years, he even filled the role of lead singer. When performing on The Voice, he stood alongside Hansen as they finished their set.
Kelly Hansen Excited To See Luis Maldonado Take Over
After the performance, Hansen shared more details on his departure from Foreigner. “Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life. But it’s time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”
One of the founding members of the band, Mick Jones, also added his voice to the conversation, praising the energy and talent Hansen brought to Foreigner. “Kelly Hansen is one of the best frontmen in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs. His boundless energy and flawless talent has helped us climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to bring us home.”
Not his last performance, Hansen will continue to sing with Foreigner as they close out their summer tour. Once finished, lead vocal will transition to Maldonado, who hoped to lead Foreigner into 2026 for the band’s 50th anniversary celebration.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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