On Tuesday, July 22, NBC announced that Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Adam Levine will reclaim their chairs for season 29, which is set to air spring 2026.

Legend’s interest in activism started long before the music industry came calling. At age 15, growing up in Springfield, Ohio, he won a national McDonald’s Black History Makers of Tomorrow essay contest, envisioning — with shocking prescience — a not-too-distant future in which he is a successful performer using his platform to give back.

A Sanger McDonald's employee received the surprise of a lifetime when a familiar face pulled up to the drive-thru window. During the usual lunch rush on Thursday, July 17, co-workers told Jessica Martinez that a man who resembled musician John Legend was in line waiting for his order.

The album-making process started with a week-long songwriting camp, with Cobbs Leonard inviting Gospel singer-songwriter Travis Greene and five-time Grammy-winning worship group Maverick City Music members Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore (Moore is also featured on the album’s “I Want More”).

John Legend had some bonding time with his older son.