'The Voice' Star Lauren Duski's Mother Dies By Apparent Suicide

The mother of "The Voice" star Lauren Duski appears to have died by suicide ... this after being found dead in her car with a gunshot wound, TMZ has confirmed.

According to the Tuscarora Township Police in Indian River, Michigan, officers found a car "sitting on the edge of the roadway with a female in the driver's seat slumped over" on Friday -- and paramedics were unable to find a pulse when they arrived.

Police say she had a "single gunshot wound to the chest" and a handgun was found in the car with "one round spent." TMZ confirmed with law enforcement sources the woman was Lauren's 59-year-old mother, Janis Duski.

While cops are still investigating Janis' death, it appears all signs point to it being a suicide.

Lauren said an emotional goodbye to her mother in a touching post online Monday, saying, "My mom was the greatest human I’ve ever known. There was no one who loved harder."

In the post, the season 12 contestant took time to remind people to "please talk to one another. If you’re struggling, do not be ashamed. Do not be ashamed. Do not be ashamed. Your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and neither is talking about it."

Janis was 59.

RIP.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

La madre de Lauren Duski estrella de "La Voz" es encontrada sin vida

La madre de la estrella de "The Voice" —Lauren Duski— parece haber muerto por suicidio, esto después de haber sido encontrada muerta en su carro con una herida de bala, TMZ ha confirmado.

De acuerdo con la Policía de Indian River (Michigan) los oficiales encontraron un carro "sentado en el borde de la calzada con una mujer en el asiento del conductor desplomado" el viernes... y los paramédicos la encontraron sin pulso cuando llegaron.

La policía dice que tenía una "sola herida de bala en el pecho" y se encontró una pistola en el carro con "una ronda menos." TMZ confirmó con fuentes policiales que la mujer era la madre de Lauren, Janis Duski, de 59 años.

Aunque la policía sigue investigando la muerte de Janis, parece que todo apunta a que se trata de un suicidio.

Lauren dio un emotivo adiós a su madre en un conmovedor post en línea el lunes, diciendo: "Mi mamá fue la más grande persona que he conocido. No había nadie que amara más".

En el post, la concursante de la temporada 12 se tomó su tiempo para recordarle a la gente que "por favor, hablen entre ustedes. Si tienes problemas, no te avergüences. No se avergüencen. No te avergüences. Tu salud mental no es motivo de verguenza y tampoco lo es hablar de ello".

Janis tenía 59 años.

RIP.

Si tú o alguien que conoces tiene problemas o está en crisis, hay ayuda disponible. Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o chatea con 988lifeline.org.

Kelly Clarkson Su ex supuestamente dijo... No eres lo suficientemente sexy para 'Voice'

Kelly Clarkson afirma que su exmarido y ex manager le dijo que no era lo suficientemente sexy para aparecer como jueza en "The Voice", a pesar de que finalmente lo consiguió.

La ex participante de 'Idol' al parecer hizo la alegación sobre Brandon Blackstock -con quien se divorció en 2022- a un comisionado de trabajo de California en 2023 al tratar de determinar cómo había manejado Brandon sus finanzas durante su relación, según un documento judicial obtenido por el Post.

Según el medio, Clarkson dio testimonio en el que alegó que Blackstock le había dicho que no pasaría como entrenadora de 'The Voice' porque no tenía el atractivo para ello.

Según los informes, Blackstock le dijo que la NBC estaba "buscando a alguien más del tipo símbolo sexual". Luego, supuestamente invocó el nombre de Rihanna como una comparación para señalar que Kelly no se parecía a ella, y citó que esta era una razón para no perseguir el trabajo de coaching que quería.

Kelly al parecer le había transmitido a Blackstock que quería unirse al panel de jueces por un tiempo, pero este la habría rechazado, argumentando que no solo no era lo suficientemente guapa para la televisión, sino que la cadena estaba interesada en contratar a una estrella negra.

Al parecer, Blackstock dijo que Kelly y el entonces juez Blake Shelton eran "demasiado parecidos". Por supuesto, Kelly finalmente se unió a "The Voice" en 2018 y se quedó durante varias temporadas. Blackstock testificó que le consiguió el trabajo a Kelly en 2017 después de conversar con un ejecutivo de NBC y amenazarla con que volvería a 'Idol' si no la contrataban, y cuando le preguntó qué necesitaban para engancharla en NBC, según los informes, dijo que iba a costarles el "dinero de Blake."

La acusación se produce en medio de un reciente hallazgo por el mismo comisionado de trabajo de California de que Blackstock habría cobrado de más a Kelly durante su relación profesional, que coincidió con su matrimonio. TMZ fue el primero en dar a conocer la noticia, ahora él le debe $2,6 millones por los honorarios que cobró.

Ese dinero en efectivo también tiene que ver con este drama de "The Voice". La comisión de trabajo descubrió que este habría cobrado alrededor de $1,98 millones de más en coordinar y apuntar su participación. Blackstock ha prometido que va a apelar.

Kelly Clarkson Ex Allegedly Said ... Ya Ain't Sexy Enough for 'Voice'

Kelly Clarkson claims her ex-husband/former manager told her she wasn't hot enough to appear as a judge on "The Voice" ... even though she eventually got the gig.

The 'Idol' alum reportedly made the allegation about Brandon Blackstock -- who she divorced in 2022 -- to a California labor commissioner in '23 while trying to determine how BB had handled her finances during their relationship, per a court doc obtained by the Post.

According to the outlet, Clarkson gave testimony in which she alleged Blackstock had told her she wouldn't pass as a 'Voice' coach 'cause she didn't have the sex appeal for it.

She reportedly said Blackstock told her NBC was "looking for a more sex symbol type" ... and then allegedly invoked Rihanna's name as a comparison to point out who Kelly did not look like, and which he cited as a reason for not pursuing the coaching gig she wanted.

Kelly had apparently relayed to Blackstock she wanted to join the panel of judges for a while -- but went on to claim Blackstock rebuffed her, arguing back that not only was she not good looking enough for 'TV,' but claiming the network was interested in signing a Black star.

Blackstock reportedly said Kelly and then-judge Blake Shelton were just "too similar." Of course, Kelly did eventually join "The Voice" in 2018 ... and stayed on for several seasons. Blackstock testified that he got Kelly the job in 2017 after going to an NBC exec and threatening that she'd go back to 'Idol' if they didn't sign her ... and when asked what it would take to snag her at NBC, he reportedly said it was going to cost "Blake money."

The allegation comes amid a recent finding by the same CA labor commissioner that Blackstock had overcharged Kelly during their professional relationship -- which coincided with their marriage. TMZ broke the story ... he now owes her $2.6 mil for fees he collected.

HARSH CRITICISM
TMZ.com

That cash also touched on this 'Voice' drama ... where the labor commission found he'd overcharged her about $1.98 million in booking the gig. Blackstock has vowed to appeal.

Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton Skiing & Tubing with the Kiddos!!! ... Holiday Trip to Utah

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are making up for some future lost time ahead of New Year's Eve -- when they'll be apart -- and did so by hitting the slopes with their kids.

The couple hit up Woodward Park City ski resort out in Utah Friday and Saturday with Gwen's 3 boys -- and the whole family was out and about, tubing one day ... and skiing the next. In photos obtained by TMZ, you can see GS and BS in lock step with the teens close behind.

TIME FOR SOME TUBING
TMZ.com

Eyewitnesses tell us the family wasn't shying away from the attention they drew, nor were they opposed to taking pictures with fans ... by all accounts they were pretty cheerful.

Interestingly, it sounds like Gwen was the one going down the hills here -- on Friday, she could be seen tubing with her boys, while Blake looked on and filmed. On Saturday, she and the kiddos went skiing ... and we're told Blake did not attend. Seems she's the active one!

Anyway, like we said ... these love birds won't be by each other's side come midnight next week -- 'cause Blake's booked to perform in Nashville, and she got hired for a Vegas gig.

Even when they're not on 'The Voice,' they always seem to be working hard/playing hard.

Guess Who This Kid In His Rain Jacket Turned Into!

Before this blonde boy playing with his wheelbarrow turned into a singer and songwriter, he was just teaching himself how to play guitar -- by watching YouTube tutorials -- and hanging with his older bro Greg in their hometown of Mullingar, Ireland.

This ex-boy-bander was part of an iconic group (the only one not from England) but eventually parted ways and made hit songs on his own like "Slow Hands" and "This Town." Today, you can watch him sit in a red chair on "The Voice."

Need one more hint? Today's his 30th birthday!

Before the 'night changes' can you guess who he is?

Guess Who This Itty-Bitty Biker Turned Into!

Before this adorable gal on her dad's bike turned into a singer and TV personality, she was just strapping into her helmet, sipping on some juice and hitting the road in Nantucket, Massachusetts ... on her way to fame!

After the release of her 2014 single, it was clear this musician loves to empower her listeners and is "All About That Bass." She has appeared on numerous competition shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "The Voice."

Need one more hint? One of her most recent songs has trended on TikTok and will make you look!

Can you guess who she is?

'AGT' & 'The Voice' Contestant Nolan Neal Dead At 41

UPDATE

7:50 AM PT -- Cops say Neal's roommate called them after discovering his body in a bedroom. Officers say on the desk next to Neal's bed was a guitar pick that "appeared to contain a powder residue" and note that Neal allegedly struggled with substance abuse. Investigators are still waiting on the full results from the singer's autopsy.

Nolan Neal, a contestant on both "America's Got Talent" and "The Voice," has died.

Nolan passed away Monday according to the medical examiner ... Nolan's cousin Dylan Seals tells TMZ he was found dead in his apartment in Nashville.

No official cause of death has been determined, but the singer has talked openly about his struggles with substance abuse. During an interview with WBIR in 2020, he admitted that he was still struggling with addiction while he was competing on "The Voice."

Dylan tells us Nolan lived with him for 4 months prior to the pandemic ... when Nolan was clean, jamming out and making music with him.

Nolan was featured on season 15 of "AGT" ... making it all the way to the quarterfinals where he performed an emotional original piece, "Send Me a Butterfly."

During his audition for the show, he sang a song called "Lost," which he said was the first thing he wrote after getting clean. The performance got a standing ovation from the crowd and all 4 judges.

Nolan also blew everyone away on season 10 of "The Voice," getting picked to be on Adam Levine's team, and making it to the knockout round before he was eliminated.

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A Nolan Neal fan page posted Tuesday morning about his death, saying, "I can't believe you're gone from us" ... the caption ends with "Heaven just got a new music director."

Nolan was 41.

RIP

Originally Published -- 6:47 AM PT

'The Voice' Kata Hay Arrested For Sexual Contact with a Minor

Country singer Kata Hay, a former contestant on "The Voice," has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with her friend's son ... TMZ has learned.

Hay was taken into custody Tuesday in Sumner County, TN ... and according to legal docs obtained by TMZ, the alleged incident started with the 35-year-old singer making sexual comments about a 16-year-old boy in front of his parents. Cops say Hay had been staying at the family's home for a short period.

Those comments allegedly led to physical contact ... with the teen claiming Kata made out with him and forced him to touch her inappropriately multiple times against his wishes.

The 16-year-old's mother told authorities she confronted Kata, and recorded their convo before ordering her to leave the home. According to the docs, the mother's recording includes Hay acknowledging the incident had occurred.

It's noted Hay seemed to be under the influence during the confrontation, at least according to the mother.

The singer -- who made the 'Voice' top 20 back in 2016 -- was arrested, and also processed for a probation violation related to a separate DUI case.

Hay told TMZ, "As you know a charge is not a conviction," and she declined any further comment on the case.

Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton Zoo-lyweds!!! Hit SD for Animal Fun

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani took their "Just Married" love fest to the wild -- well, wild enough, we suppose ... 'cause they were among exotic animals you don't really see in Cali.

The newlyweds hit up the San Diego Zoo this weekend -- taking in the sights together and what look likes family/friends in tow this Sunday ... where they were all masked up as they checked out some furry friends from behind a barricade in one of the best facilities around.

Looks like they were at the Asian Passage section ... where they keep the Red Pandas, 'cause they were getting an eyeful of this little bastard getting a little R&R in his "habitat."

It doesn't look like they were interacting much with the creature at this point in their journey -- but eyewitnesses tell us Gwen/Blake and co. were seen feeding some other live animals at different junctures ... courtesy of the private tour they seemed to be on with their crew.

And, despite it being super sunny and in the high 70s yesterday down there, the married couple opted for matching wardrobes -- both rocking jeans, while others in their party mostly were wearing shorts.

Somebody get these love birds their own nest in there somewhere already. Ever since their wedding in July ... they're just oozing hubby and wife vibes, on and off set.

Kelly Clarkson Celebrates on 'Voice' Set ... Prenup Upheld

Kelly Clarkson's prenup has been validated by the judge in her divorce case, she found out the good news while she was on the set of "The Voice" and let out a scream, which then gave way to a celebration ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ...Kelly was filming the singing competition Wednesday when she got an email saying the hotly-contested prenup was upheld in full by the judge. We're told the prenup segregates all assets and income derived during her marriage to Brandon Blackstock.

Kelly accumulated the lion's share of assets, including the Montana ranch where Brandon is currently living. He was contesting the prenup and wanted their properties split, along with income she earned during their marriage, but the judge shut him down.

We're told the celebration on the set of "The Voice" got personal. Our sources say Blake Shelton had recently terminated his relationship with Blackstock, who managed him for years.

The other judges who were there, including Ariana Grande, participated in the celebration.

Clarkson's lawyer, Laura Wasser, had argued during the trial on the prenup, that there had to be accountability when someone signs a contract -- in this case, a prenup. The judge clearly agreed.

The divorce has been "bifurcated" -- meaning the actual declaration that the marriage is over has been separated from the property settlement and custody issues. The actual dissolution of the marriage should be finalized within days. Kelly has been awarded primary custody on a temporary basis, because Brandon moved to Montana. It seems by validating the prenup, most issues have now been resolved.

As for the ranch, because the prenup was validated, Kelly -- who purchased it -- now has the right to sell it.

We reached out to Wasser for comment ... so far, no word back.

Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Playing Music Together at OK Bar

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are very much out in public following their recent wedding ... playing music together at a venue in a small town in Blake's neck of the woods.

The newlyweds grabbed a couple microphones and guitars Thursday for a free concert at Ole Red -- a bar Blake owns in Tishomingo, OK ... and they were up close and personal with the bar patrons in a super intimate setting.

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Blake told the crowd he can't believe Gwen's singing in this little outpost in his home state ... and everyone got a front-row view to her new wedding ring.

Blake's rehearsing for a couple shows he's got coming up ... and his new wife is naturally helping him prepare.

TMZ broke the story ... Blake and Gwen got a marriage license in Oklahoma leading up to July 4 weekend, and they ended up getting hitched at his ranch in a small ceremony surrounded by close friends and family.

"The Voice" stars jetted back to Los Angeles after the weekend wedding, but it looks like they're still keeping it country.

Gwen & Blake Newlyweds Return to L.A. ... Check Out That Ring!!!

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton look like they're happy anywhere following their holiday weekend wedding ... and they're still rocking those country vibes.

The newlyweds just arrived in L.A. via private jet following their July 3 ceremony at Blake's ranch in Oklahoma ... and were all smiles as they drove off in a Chevy pickup truck. See? Still keeping it country.

"The Voice" stars were joined by Gwen's son, Zuma, who was sitting in the backseat, but it was hard to see him past her sparkly new wedding ring.

As we told you ... the singers tied the knot in a Fourth of July weekend event after first getting together back in 2015. They met on the popular singing competition show when they were both judges.

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Their wedding seems to have been a pretty small, private affair ... but still looked stunning.

The happy new couple headed back to their L.A. estate ... where we're guessing the honeymoon will continue.

Nick Jonas I Cracked My Rib in Bike Incident

THE SHOW MUST GO ON
NBC

Nick Jonas says he cracked a rib taking a spill on a bicycle, but he's on the mend.

Nick revealed the extent of his injuries Monday night on NBC's "The Voice," saying he also suffered a few other bumps and bruises, and it hurts to laugh. We're sure Blake Shelton will go easy on him, and by "easy" we mean ... not at all.

TMZ broke the story ... Nick was injured late Saturday night while filming a project, and it was serious enough that he needed medical attention at a nearby hospital.

We were told he was released and back home by Sunday, and wouldn't miss his scheduled Monday appearance on "The Voice."

Remember ... the 28-year-old actor/singer suffered a hand injury in 2018, the result of a post-show workout in Mexico. He posted a pic of that injury at the time, showing bandages and a beer.

He's playing this rib injury much closer to the vest, though. Neither Nick, nor anyone connected to him, will say exactly what he was filming when he got hurt.

While everyone's trying to keep it top secret, there is a report he and his famous brothers are shooting a competition show for NBC ... so, it's possible he was filming something for that when the injury happened.

Blake Shelton Tweet Gives Author Big Sales Boost ... Children's Book Climbing the Charts

Blake Shelton's shout-out to a fan's new book -- written in honor of her late daughter -- is giving her a huge emotional pick-me-up, and it ain't bad for sales!

Frankie Williams is the author of "The Merdragon," a fictional children's book she wrote for her daughter, Shauntae, who passed away last year. Shauntae was only 36 and died from undiagnosed heart disease.

Frankie says, at the time, she tweeted at Shelton and his country singer friend Craig Morgan, because Craig had written a song about his son's tragic death. Blake was promoting the tune, "The Father, My Son and The Holy Ghost" ... and she found it very inspiring.

Frankie says Blake replied, saying he was inspired by people like her and Craig who find ways to help others deal with grief while still dealing with their own ... and it motivated her to write the book as a tribute to Shauntae.

Flash forward to Monday -- Frankie tweeted at Shelton saying she wanted to send him a copy of 'Merdragon' as a token of gratitude for his kind words, and he responded again ... saying he'll order it instead.

And, the kicker ... he encouraged all of his 20 million followers to order it, too!

Frankie tells us ever since Blake's tweet, her book's been selling like hotcakes. She says she doesn't have official sales numbers yet, but it's currently in the top 5 in three different children's categories on Amazon ... skyrocketing up the charts from the 400-500 range it was in before Shelton's shout-out.

Williams says, obviously, he didn't have to do this for her, but she'll be forever grateful, and adds ... Blake Shelton is amazing.

Blake Shelton Helps 7-Year-Old Kid Find His 'Voice' ... VIP Treatment With Celebs

Blake Shelton made an amazing wish come true for a 7-year-old fan who suffers from cerebral palsy ... hanging with the kid on "The Voice" and the pics are AWESOME!!!

Blake met Colton Harkness on set at "The Voice" semifinals earlier this month ... and after the show's live taping the kid got to chat with his favorite country star in the judge's chairs, and rub elbows with Gwen Stefani and John Legend!

The good folks at Kids Wish Network -- a charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses -- helped facilitate the meeting between Blake and Colton, flying the youngster from Indiana to California and chauffeuring him to set in a stretch limo.

Colton also got hooked up with some 'Voice' swag, and while he was out in Cali he got to take his first trip to Disneyland.

The kid needs a wheelchair to get around, but he's not letting that stop him from dreaming of growing up to be a police officer ... and the Orange County Sheriff's Department even named him an honorary deputy in front of his classmates before he left for L.A. to meet Blake!

Props to everyone involved -- good stuff!!!

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