In a heartfelt moment during the season finale of NBC’s The Voice, longtime Foreigner frontman Kelly Hansen surprised fans by announcing his departure from the legendary rock band. With the spotlight on him, Hansen used the national stage to share the news and introduce his successor — none other than Foreigner’s own guitarist, Luis Maldonado.
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hansen said in a public statement. “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.”
Hansen, who joined Foreigner in 2005, helped revive the band’s presence for a new generation of fans. Known for his powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence, he has spent nearly two decades as the driving voice behind hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Cold As Ice.” His final performances with the band will be part of Foreigner’s 2025 summer tour, after which he will officially step down.
Taking up the mantle is Luis Maldonado, a talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has been with the band as a guitarist since 2012. Fans have already witnessed his musicality onstage, and now he’ll bring his vocal abilities front and center.
Founding guitarist Mick Jones, the last remaining original member of the 1976 lineup, expressed his support and excitement for the transition: “In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find. Results have shown that it worked! Luis stepping in continues that legacy.” As Hansen prepares for his final curtain call, fans are celebrating his contributions while looking forward to a new era for Foreigner — one that promises to honor the past while blazing a trail into the future.